Matching heads to a cam.
Matching heads to a cam. Hi guys, I have a question that I am finding hard to answer despite searching. I am helping a friend with a LS swapped Nissan 300 ZX with a T56. The motor is a bone stock LS1 with shorty headers. After having fun with it for a few years in its current trim, It's time to give it some more power. He does track the car mildly. We're trying to understand the power differences to expect when cobining a specific cam to several heads options.
Low Boost Films’ The Track Weapon (220/232-110+4)
This is the cam we are eyeballing because it's easier on the valvetrain, and makes best power between 3500-5500 RPM which is where we want it in this car. (Not looking for all out Horsepower on the Dyno)
What we want to know is what kind of power difference to expect given the choice between these heads:
Stock 243/799 heads (with upgraded Springs)
TEA stage II 243 heads
AFR 205cc Mongoose heads (or higher cc possibly)
This is not a question about how much HP will this combo make, as there are many other factors, but rather a question of will the TEA stage II heads be worth 10/20/30 HP more than stock 243s given the cam?
Other question is because this is what I think a relatively mild cam (compared to other cam options with high revving HP) is the difference in heads HP a bit muted?
Lastly, we haven't decided on an intake yet, but let's assume for this comparison this will be an LS6 intake. We are kicking the idea of a FAST intake, but depends on how much we will spend on heads and if it will be worth the money..
- Here's a video that inspired us to consider this cam. Similar goals with his vehichle. It puts down around 390 at the wheels on a mustang dyno. His mods are stock milled 243 heads, this cam, Long tubes, LS6 intake.
Thanks in advance guys. Long time reader, first time poster.
Low Boost Films’ The Track Weapon (220/232-110+4)
This is the cam we are eyeballing because it's easier on the valvetrain, and makes best power between 3500-5500 RPM which is where we want it in this car. (Not looking for all out Horsepower on the Dyno)
What we want to know is what kind of power difference to expect given the choice between these heads:
Stock 243/799 heads (with upgraded Springs)
TEA stage II 243 heads
AFR 205cc Mongoose heads (or higher cc possibly)
This is not a question about how much HP will this combo make, as there are many other factors, but rather a question of will the TEA stage II heads be worth 10/20/30 HP more than stock 243s given the cam?
Other question is because this is what I think a relatively mild cam (compared to other cam options with high revving HP) is the difference in heads HP a bit muted?
Lastly, we haven't decided on an intake yet, but let's assume for this comparison this will be an LS6 intake. We are kicking the idea of a FAST intake, but depends on how much we will spend on heads and if it will be worth the money..
Thanks in advance guys. Long time reader, first time poster.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 648
Likes: 580
From: Carnation, WA
That cam has a *big* split to be using with cathedral port heads. And the IVC is pretty early, at only 36 ABDC.
It seems like they’re trying to use the big split (and resulting early EVO of 50 BBDC) to help it breathe at high rpm in spite of the early IVC.
It’s an interesting approach.
It seems like they’re trying to use the big split (and resulting early EVO of 50 BBDC) to help it breathe at high rpm in spite of the early IVC.
It’s an interesting approach.
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 180
From: ELSA, South TEXAS (956) 802-7700
I would do stock 243/799 heads and with money saved, go with better flowing headers, maybe custom as shortys are chokers and a Fast Intake.
The TEA and AFRs with higher flow would be choked with Ls6 and 78mm TB as opposed to having a Fast 90, 92 or 102 TB on the stock 243/799s. If you can a find a Dorman intake cheap would be even better with that smallish cam.
The TEA and AFRs with higher flow would be choked with Ls6 and 78mm TB as opposed to having a Fast 90, 92 or 102 TB on the stock 243/799s. If you can a find a Dorman intake cheap would be even better with that smallish cam.
Last edited by low2001gmc; Mar 26, 2023 at 12:25 AM.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 318
Likes: 52
From: Charleston, SC
Considering the RPM range where you want to make the power, I’d go with the TEA ported heads or AFRs and just run the LS6 intake - focusing early lift flow and power under the curve, not peak power. You could always add a FAST intake down the road if you wanted, but with your use in mind it may not be a great bang for the buck.
Thanks for the replies guys. We're no closer to a decision, maybe leaning slightly to just milling the 243s and upgrading springs, keeping them otherwise unported. Keep LS6 intake and just get the cam, tune for it and have some fun. It'll give us a reason in the future to pursue more gains if/when we get bored.
Can't do much about the headers. They're swap headers for this chassis and pickins are slim, but we're happy with what we have.
Can't do much about the headers. They're swap headers for this chassis and pickins are slim, but we're happy with what we have.
