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Bigger Cam or LS6 Heads?

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Old Dec 1, 2004 | 11:53 PM
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Default Bigger Cam or LS6 Heads?

What would put down more Hp? I was thinking about some stock heads but some guys say put in a bigger cam since it wont cost as much. Problem is I dont want to have to drop in a huge cam to make good power. I have 370rwhp and 354rwt right now but would like to see near 400. I also dont want to have to change gear ratio in this process. My car is a daily driver also. Thanks,
Matt
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 12:05 AM
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I would sugest the cam to get near that mark. You could get 30hps out of a 224/224 on a 114. And you ment LS6 heads right, not stock ones? It would be the cheaper route by far.
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 12:28 AM
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It depends. I think he meant stock ls6 heads. You can find those cores pretty cheap($500-600) on ebay sometimes. Those would be a great investment for the money, especially to use as cores down the road. They are something that will not likely lose their value if you go to sell them either. Most everyone will pay the half-cost of $600 for used ls6 heads as cores, instead of $1200 or $1300 charged by shops.

The cam, depending on whether you need springs or not, may net you more horses.....but you'll still need heads eventually Plus, heads will pull a few more horses out of cams anyhow(more horses the bigger the cam).
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 08:10 AM
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LPE gets 425 hp from the GT2-3 cam with heads.

I would think that you could put a good set of heads on your car and pick up 30 hp without sacrificing any driveability. There is nothing like having a 400hp car that idles dead stock.
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 09:45 AM
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Yup I mean putting on stock LS6 heads only because I got a good deal from a guy if I want them. Problem is I don't have the money to get them ported and polished and I'm married (married guys understand lol) so that's why it would have to be the stock heads. How much of a gain would I see just with the LS6 heads? Thanks,
Matt
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 11:29 AM
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Personally, Id just go with a different cam. it doesnt take a monster cam to make 400rwhp. My F11, w/ mac mids and usual bolt-ons in an automatic made near 390rwhp locked through a vig3200,stock rear w/3.42s. Think if i would've had LT hedders & a6sp i might wouldve hit over400+rwhp. F11 is not really a big cam(228/230 .581/.591) & it was very streetable IMHO. I think there are several cams out there that can get you 400+rwhp while still being quite streetable. Good luck w/ your decision and hope you meet your goals
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 11:35 AM
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A cam is a good way to go since it's cheaper, but do you have to pass smog?
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 12:44 PM
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yup I do have to pass smog but I still have cats
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 12:51 PM
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From what I hear the biggest cam that still passes smog is the tr224/114 like Z-286speed suggested.
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 01:06 PM
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IMO, i think a cam should go in before heads. But, everyone does there own thing. If you find some LS6 heads for 600, go for it. But, i know you will get around 400 with a cam, springs and pushrods.
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 01:13 PM
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He does have a GT2-3 Cam installed already.
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 01:23 PM
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Sorry about that, I thought i was on a different thread.
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 01:29 PM
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I vote for heads.
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 01:37 PM
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Since it is a driver and it has a stock gear the head swap sounds like the way to go for now and he can port them latter if he decides a larger cam is in order.
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by fastmatt98
Yup I mean putting on stock LS6 heads only because I got a good deal from a guy if I want them. Problem is I don't have the money to get them ported and polished and I'm married (married guys understand lol) so that's why it would have to be the stock heads. How much of a gain would I see just with the LS6 heads? Thanks,
Matt
20 -25 RWHP would be my guess. Remember those 243 castings not only flow well but will also bump your compression.

For a couple hundred bucks you could get a slick valve job and a little short side radius work done and get some sweet numbers out of the 243's. It doesn't take much to get a 243 to flow 275 -300 cfm.
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 03:51 PM
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definitly go with heads as you already have a great cam. Find a great deal on some heads and slap them on there and wammy you will have over 400 rwhp and still use your gears! Won't be much more than a cam swap if you can find the ls6 heads somewhere for 600 bucks.
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 04:40 PM
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didnt know emmisions was a concern so ya id go with some LS6 patriot stage2 heads which are around $1400 assembled i believe or just get the factory LS6 heads. With a re-tune you should get your goal and more. Good luck Man
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted by technical
From what I hear the biggest cam that still passes smog is the tr224/114 like Z-286speed suggested.
thats not necessarily true. its all in the VE's and tuning.

either way you should get the heads
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