SoCalDave

Going with a set of ported 243 heads will make the heads more efficient at flowing air/fuel mixture and exhaust gases which makes your LS1 more efficient. Even with the stock exhaust manifolds you should feel a difference with a set of ported heads. Bowl work on the intake and exhaust improves the flow and results in power you can feel.

vette4fl

Thanks to everyone who posted. I’m going to have the heads ported, probably at Texas Speed.

The headers will be on the menu after I clear the cam/head/hb/cooling system/trunnion upgrade portion this fall. It’s just been nuclear hot here, so by the time things cool down I should have the heads back and the last of the parts I need.

Again, thanks for the info. If you have any suggestions for additional machine shops to consider, please post or send me a PM.

gametech

iTrader: (1)

Since nobody said this yet, don't forget tuning. If money ever becomes an issue and you have to decide between tuning and ANY other upgrade, tuning gets the money every time. Note I said upgrades, not repairs, because a lot of people try to tune around mechanical problems that require fixing.

vette4fl

Good advice. I’ve got it arranged 👍

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

I mentioned tuning in post #5. Tuning gets overlooked a lot of guys from a financial standpoint. It’s important to budget $600-$800 on a GOOD tune, before you purchase anything for a build. Makes all the difference in the world.

vette4fl

Agreed. Have a well regarded tuner and my LS specialist has a dyno.

grinder11

iTrader: (1)

You and I have discussed many things on another forum. IMHO, and knowing firsthand what hot weather you're battling in your C5, I would only consider headers if you coat them inside and out, and add some hood vents. I melted thru my plastic battery heat shield! I'm running uncoated Kooks 1-7/8 LTs. For your goals, I'd go with 1-3/4" LONG TUBE headers-Do not go with shorties. In Florida heat, with headers and Florida's 3 minute red lights, if you don't coat them, and install hood vents, your underhood temps will get mighty hot!! But there's no doubt about it-Doing this Hi Perf stuff is not cheap!! I'd also never go to all the work and expense you're looking at only to end up with a cam that small, especially with a manual trans. You could easilly go up 4°-6° duration on intake without sacrificing anything. Lift on both I. and E., and exhaust duration, are fine for your application. If you do go for headers, again, I'd recommend vents, and coating them, both INSIDE AND OUT!! But I do recommend running them. This is a damn disease, isn't it??!!!

vette4fl

Hood vents are definitely the bomb! I’m installing the open fog light coves and already opened the driver side fender cove. Here’s a crazy idea…I am considering adding 4” ducting from the fog light coves to marine engine compartment round duct-fans leading to the engine bay.

I agree the dual coating the headers, and maybe even wrapping them will mitigate some heat. But even now I can barely place the palm of my hand on the hood after a drive around town! It’s a conundrum, power vs heat.

At just 430whp Prop Joe said he can smoke the tires at will, and I’m not into shredding Michelins… So, if I can make the 400 range with a wide area under the curve with the manifolds I’d be happy with that. I’m shooting for the “right power” for my specific interests. Anything more than that won’t be useful. I think Cam Motion designed the cam as a far more powerful version of the Z06, but with modern lobes. There’s a trade off for little to no lope, low speed drivability, and substantial midrange rip power.

In any event, I’ll finish the engine mods and tune first and see how that works out before a final decision on headers or alternative cam profiles.

Appreciate your thoughts and suggestions, as always!

bobcratch

could also contact lloyd elliot, pricing pretty good http://elliottsportworks.com/?page_id=7

02*C5

iTrader: (1)

If you’re going to invest money on your heads go with advanced induction. They have a 226 intake runner program that rivals Trickflow Gen X 225 heads for half the price. So if you’re going to invest money do it wisely.

MuhThugga

Another thing you could do, if you want to forego headers, is swap in some C6 Z06 exhaust manifolds and midpipes.

vette4fl

They appear to be a good company, but their port/valve package is $1800-$2000. Twice what I was planning. They may be worth it, but too rich for me.

vette4fl

Have any links to a video or thread on the subject?

MuhThugga

https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=ls7+manifolds+on+c5

GMRL

I know many will disagree with me here. But once you price out the total from one of the major shops for a full porting service. Its really not far off from just going with an aftermarket casting. After finding a decent pair of 243/799 cores, shipping them off, having them do whatever stage service, proper spring kit and valves if they dont use the stock ones, shipping them back. Youre almost at or past $2k.

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vette4fl

Texas Speed port and valve job is $899. Not saying they’re absolutely equal, but for the budget needy they work and many folks are satisfied. In my case, the $1000 difference can buy a set of SE headers and x-pipes.

02*C5

iTrader: (1)

Listen the go fast game isn’t cheap. You want cheap stay out of the game. Going cheap is going to bring you headaches in the long run and having to do it all over again and it’ll run twice as expensive. Advice is free mistakes tend to cost money especially in this game.

01CamaroSSTx

iTrader: (3)

The age old FAST, CHEAP, RELIABLE conundrum

GMRL

So $899 for customer supplied heads, without a spring kit.
​​​​​So $350~ for some 243/799 cores, which is about what they go for.
$300~ for good springs. Then add shipping them. That's $1600 altogether.
Ive used TSP ported heads in the past and was very happy with them.
But if I was gonna do it again. Id pay extra for their aftermarket castings.
Some will disagree, everybody's build is different.
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GMRL

I think were in agreement. That's why I said to just start with the aftermarket heads from the get go. Cost more up front, but in the end youll be ahead.