Opinion of heads?
Opinion of heads? Been reading the forums for a long time, and been using the search tonight to read up more about heads. First off I'm just looking for a good streetable car thats fun to drive on the road and makes good power(400 rwhp). I've allready picked out the headers and have them, Kooks 1 3/4 SS with ORY. Pretty much set on a custom cam of 226/226 .575/.575 112 with XE ramps. Next thing I need is heads. Judging my cam numbers I'm thinking either a plain 5.7 stage 1 or 5.3/5.7 stage1.5/2's would suit my needs well since I wont be running alot of lift. After reading many threads and looking at flow #'s and the costs of the various heads I'm leaning towards TEA. Either thier 5.7 stage 1's or 5.3 stage 1.5's. I thought I'd read somewhere about some hand finishing they can do at an extra cost that I could use to help the mid range lift numbers that would work well with my cam? Opinions or other options? Idea's of possible power numbers I could have?
By custom I mean something that wont be hard on springs, give decent numbers with stock heads or ported. Trying to stay within that range and the Stage 1.5 5.3's look like a good match. Just want opinions from more experienced.
JasonG
JasonG
Suspended Sponsor Account
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Pewee Valley, KY
the Stage 2 5.3L heads are a good choice. give us a call if you want and we can talk about your setup and help you choose a cam based on your heads flow numbers once you have the heads flow data.
heads I will be going with the Absolute Stage 2.5 heads soon after much research. They are the best performance for the $$. Though the prices seem to range all over, you can pick them up for 1400, just look for the deals.
On The Tree
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 103
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From: TEA
give us a call i would like to see you go with a set of our 5.3 1.5 heads. that sounds like a good choice for your set up. I guess you have been doing your homework...
BTW I think it is a good idea to go with a decent cam and a mild set of heads to acheive your goals for a street car... rather than going with a larger cam taking a chance that you will sacrafice drivability.
BTW I think it is a good idea to go with a decent cam and a mild set of heads to acheive your goals for a street car... rather than going with a larger cam taking a chance that you will sacrafice drivability.
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TECH Resident
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 917
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From: Chattanooga,Tn
TEA can do you up a set of 5.7 heads no problem. I would get a stage 1.5 5.7 head.That way you get the advantage of a lightly larger intake valve. The xe lobe 226 cam should work well with that head. I ran the same head with an xe lobe 228 cam and it worked very well.
I know when I was up there last weekend Brian was showing me a very promising port on a 5.7 head. Flowed killer numbers on a 3.9 bore. He was going to digitize this head sometime next week. So it could fit nicly with your plans.Call Brent @ TEA and he will hook you up. (Brian is at Sema)
I know when I was up there last weekend Brian was showing me a very promising port on a 5.7 head. Flowed killer numbers on a 3.9 bore. He was going to digitize this head sometime next week. So it could fit nicly with your plans.Call Brent @ TEA and he will hook you up. (Brian is at Sema)
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Brett Foote Thanks for the words folks.
H82BBad - You reply peaks my interest the most. Of course an off the shelf head would be best costwise, but if I can spend a little more money and get some crazy flow in the mid lift area for a mild cam like I'm thinking I should make crazy power under the curve which is what I really want since it's a street car. Any idea of what flow these new heads might get up to .575 lift? I might be the test mule for some of these if they are in my price range, same as the normal 1.5 5.7's? Again thanks for the info.
JasonG
H82BBad - You reply peaks my interest the most. Of course an off the shelf head would be best costwise, but if I can spend a little more money and get some crazy flow in the mid lift area for a mild cam like I'm thinking I should make crazy power under the curve which is what I really want since it's a street car. Any idea of what flow these new heads might get up to .575 lift? I might be the test mule for some of these if they are in my price range, same as the normal 1.5 5.7's? Again thanks for the info.
JasonG
TECH Resident
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 917
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From: Chattanooga,Tn
Jason the reason Brian was excited about that particular port was a customer no longer had to spend extra money on a set of hybrid cores (5.3's or 6.0 or ls6) so they could get great performance for the dollar. Give him a shout next week. I am sure you will not be disapointed.
Of course 5.7 heads would be best for me because my cores that get taken off my car are gonna be that too. lol Sounds good, maybe I can talk him into letting my car be a good test mule. Interested in doing everything this month or next if possible. Thanks again.
JasonG
JasonG
Off topic but has anyone ever determined why TEA is no longer a sponsor on this forum. I know they put out a great product, and must get alot of business from their exposure here. It just seems odd.