I have a tr224/224 112 cam, and LT headers on the car as far as engine mods go. I was thinking of possibly doing heads next. What kind of power gains can I see? Do the cost of the heads justify the power gains? Its my daily driver. Any opinions would be great. Thanks!

 

What do you ultimately plan to do with the car? If you're going for bigger cubes or forced induction, then it wouldn't be a good idea to get heads just yet. Figure out where you're going with the car.

 

I just want it to be a nice, fast, street machine. It sees a track twice a year, maybe. I was just curious as to what mod I should do next.

 

Well, how fast of a street machine? Do you plan on going for a stroker kit or a blower in the future? If not, then go for it. If so, then don't go for it unless you like paying for heads twice...

 

Oh, and to answer your question: yes, heads are worth it. At least, the good ones are.

 

Man, I'd hold out on heads for right now. Just take a peek at a few threads on this very same page right now on heads. There is too much controversy and deceit going on from several shops.

 

Get some other bolt-ons first...pulley, ported TB, et al.

 

Question is do you want to stay with your cam?
2nd question is: Will a set of heads fitting the 224 parameters improve your performance? HELL yes.
How much could you see in power gains?
up to ~40>50 rwhp with properly designed porting/tuning. (I'm being conservative).

In general a H/C combo should yield 80->100 rwhp or it is not properly matched IMO.(W/bolt ons)

 

I went from 390rwhp to 416rwhp with the addition of my Patriot 5.3L Stage 2 heads thru cats and gained some torque also. With your description of what you want to do with the car the heads will really make a difference in SOTP power.

 

I like the sound of that.....lol

 

On my setup:

Cam Only:_______________ 390 rwhp @ 6250 / 360 tq @ 5000
Cam + Heads:____________ 425 rwhp @ 6400 / 387 tq @ 5000

Gains:___________________35 rwhp / 27 tq

 

Thanks for the relpies. Now, does anyone have any opinions on which heads to go with? Patriot? Or maybe a set from Combination motorsports? Any opinions guys?

 

I like the MTI stage 2e heads as well as the TEA heads for the money.

 

That all depends on how much you want to spend and how fast you want to go. If you want to go REAL fast and you can spend, then go with AFR 205's: they are showing crazy gains for a LOT of people.

 

Assuming the $$$ are not in short supply, AFR 205's would work well. the TR224 cam is not optimal for the 205's, but should work well enough depending on one's desires and goals.

 

Heck Yes....Napolean is awsome

 

Huh? Maybe Im not following

 

since you already have a cam I would think the heads will be worth it.
just my .02

 

Ive got the same cam as you do, and i have the TEA stg 1.5 5.3 heads. I just dynoed 398rwhp and 389 rwtq on the stock tune.

 

For comparison...I have the same cam in my '02 with headers and Patriot 5.7 stage IIs and dynoed 395rwhp. I don't have the bolt-ons though. It made 393 untuned.

dyno chart