Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Cylinder head

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 11, 2005 | 09:17 PM
  #1  
GMCVT's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Default Cylinder head

I'm not exactly sure how to ask but I'll give it a shot. I have an 04 GTO. In 2 weeks I will be installing heads and cam along with the other supporting mods. Now, as every one else does, I would like to see a decent # up top (410-420) but I am also a little afraid that the heads and cam that require me to get there will come at too much of a sacrifice of lower end torque and that is something my heavy a&* goat needs. I'm considering the F13 112 with the TEA 1.5 ls1 heads. Would I be correct in saying that the heavier the work on factory cylinder heads (stage II and III) the more I'm sacrificing VE at lower engine speeds or is that simply not the case and its merely a case of quality of work? This car is a daily driver and I'm just concerned about killing the bottom end of the power band on this heavy car. Input
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2005 | 09:35 PM
  #2  
Blue02Ws6's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
Default

You will have more power at all rpm's with a bigger cam and better heads than stock for sure, when you are really getting on it you aren't going lower than 4500 so is power and torque down at 3K really a problem? Do you plan of bogging any? With that 6speed I am sure you can stay in a gear where you can find power, if you want to do heads and cam, go all out and get a monster combo.
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2005 | 09:47 PM
  #3  
Demon SS's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
From: Pewee Valley,Ky
Default

I sent you a PM
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2005 | 09:46 AM
  #4  
GMCVT's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Default

Originally Posted by Blue02Ws6
You will have more power at all rpm's with a bigger cam and better heads than stock for sure, when you are really getting on it you aren't going lower than 4500 so is power and torque down at 3K really a problem? Do you plan of bogging any? With that 6speed I am sure you can stay in a gear where you can find power, if you want to do heads and cam, go all out and get a monster combo.

Well, this car is a daily driver. And it does spend alot of time south of 2500. I come the interstate in the morning so it spends a lot of time in sixth gear and at night I go home on back roads and I do a lot of start stop driving. Either way, I'm still spending more time in lower part of the band than the upper. I know that at some point there is going to be a trade off and just dont want to skue that to much one way or the other.
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2005 | 09:47 AM
  #5  
GMCVT's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Default

Originally Posted by Demon SS
I sent you a PM
Thank you! 2 pm's to you
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2005 | 10:41 AM
  #6  
slow ride's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by GMCVT
I'm not exactly sure how to ask but I'll give it a shot. I have an 04 GTO. In 2 weeks I will be installing heads and cam along with the other supporting mods. Now, as every one else does, I would like to see a decent # up top (410-420) but I am also a little afraid that the heads and cam that require me to get there will come at too much of a sacrifice of lower end torque and that is something my heavy a&* goat needs. I'm considering the F13 112 with the TEA 1.5 ls1 heads. Would I be correct in saying that the heavier the work on factory cylinder heads (stage II and III) the more I'm sacrificing VE at lower engine speeds or is that simply not the case and its merely a case of quality of work? This car is a daily driver and I'm just concerned about killing the bottom end of the power band on this heavy car. Input
Check out the thread in the dyno section called 429 RWP by tonyb. I think this just what you are looking for. Me too for that matter! Let us know what Force Fed wants to do for you OK?
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2005 | 11:00 AM
  #7  
'02 SLP#686's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 0
From: Leominster, MA
Default

A bigger cam is not always the answer. Slowhawk made a post in the internal section about testing cams with AFR heads. Looks like he was making better power thoughout the ENTIRE range with smaller cams and lot losing much on the top end. You might want to check out a reverse split cam as well... Lots to understand when it comes to head/cam combo's - I am trying to decide as well - and I can't do it 410-420 is going to take a good combo with most bolt-ons and a good tune. Let us know what you decide and some #'s too! Nice to see you modding the Goat! Best wishes!
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2005 | 12:10 PM
  #8  
GMCVT's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Default

Thank guys! Let me tell ya, Scott@FF has been great. Very very helpful and willing to listen and direct me in the direction thats best for my app. Even if it cost him a better sale. I appreciate all the additional info you guys have chimed in with. I will look into that thread! Thanks again!
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 12, 2005 | 12:20 PM
  #9  
slow ride's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by GMCVT
Thank guys! Let me tell ya, Scott@FF has been great. Very very helpful and willing to listen and direct me in the direction thats best for my app. Even if it cost him a better sale. I appreciate all the additional info you guys have chimed in with. I will look into that thread! Thanks again!
Info! What kind of combo did he recomend?
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2005 | 10:08 PM
  #10  
GMCVT's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Default

Originally Posted by slow ride
Info! What kind of combo did he recomend?
He recommended that I stay with a smaller intake port and go with a stage II 5.3 head. This would bring the compression ratio up to 10.7. He said I could go the FM cam I mentioned above and it would make plenty of torque or he said I could even go a little more aggressive and use a comp annihilator cam with a 232-238 595-585 on a 112. Sounds pretty good to me.
Thank you!
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2005 | 10:22 PM
  #11  
slow ride's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by GMCVT
He recommended that I stay with a smaller intake port and go with a stage II 5.3 head. This would bring the compression ratio up to 10.7. He said I could go the FM cam I mentioned above and it would make plenty of torque or he said I could even go a little more aggressive and use a comp annihilator cam with a 232-238 595-585 on a 112. Sounds pretty good to me.
Thank you!
Smaller intake port. The 5.3 is about 217cc so I am told. The AFR is 205cc. Smaller intake port & smaller cam = more torque. I think that tonyb's combo is right on!
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2005 | 10:24 PM
  #12  
jrp's Avatar
jrp
SN95 Director
20 Year Member
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 10,755
Likes: 7
From: Valencia, Ca
Default

Originally Posted by slow ride
Smaller intake port. The 5.3 is about 217cc so I am told. The AFR is 205cc. Smaller intake port & smaller cam = more torque. I think that tonyb's combo is right on!
5.7's and 5.3's have both the same 200-205cc intake port volume stock.
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2005 | 10:30 PM
  #13  
slow ride's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by jrp
5.7's and 5.3's have both the same 200-205cc intake port volume stock.
That was a ported 5.3 stage II as per TSP yesterday. Almost bought some. Read Gomers post about his 423/398 and MTI B1 post. Don't you ever sleep?

Last edited by slow ride; Feb 12, 2005 at 10:47 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2005 | 10:56 PM
  #14  
Full-Force's Avatar
TECH Junkie
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,070
Likes: 5
From: Upstate of SC
Default

Originally Posted by GMCVT
Well, this car is a daily driver. And it does spend alot of time south of 2500. I come the interstate in the morning so it spends a lot of time in sixth gear and at night I go home on back roads and I do a lot of start stop driving. Either way, I'm still spending more time in lower part of the band than the upper. I know that at some point there is going to be a trade off and just dont want to skue that to much one way or the other.
You spend alot of time south of 2500 but you dont nail into it below 2500. Think about it. When you nail into your car you put it in the gear that is gonna give you the biggest kick which means that you will, by nature, be around 4k.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2005 | 12:30 AM
  #15  
Blue02Ws6's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
Default

Originally Posted by Full-Force
You spend alot of time south of 2500 but you dont nail into it below 2500. Think about it. When you nail into your car you put it in the gear that is gonna give you the biggest kick which means that you will, by nature, be around 4k.

Exactly my point.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2005 | 08:50 AM
  #16  
GMCVT's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Default

Originally Posted by Full-Force
You spend alot of time south of 2500 but you dont nail into it below 2500. Think about it. When you nail into your car you put it in the gear that is gonna give you the biggest kick which means that you will, by nature, be around 4k.
No, I dont nail it when I'm at 2500, but when I do alot of start-stop driving and the rpm's will generally fall between 2k and 3500 rpm's. If I'm shifting within those parameters but I've moved my torque peak up, I will lose the torque where I spend most of the time. I really dont spend to much time above 4k unless I'm at the track or giving somebody a test RIDE or just feeling spunky. Otherwise I usually drive the car in a less that spirited fashion. Which is why I am willing to sacrifice that PEAK # to maintain as much of my lower end as I can. And remember, this is a GTO, you can definately feel the weight difference between it and an fbody. This has as much or more to do with tip-in and partial throttle response than it does flooring it at 2500 rpms. I find in everday driving that there really isn't a need to shift much later than 32 to3500 rpm. Gets me around pretty good.
Make any more sense?

Last edited by GMCVT; Feb 13, 2005 at 09:15 AM.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2005 | 07:26 PM
  #17  
MNR-0's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Default

I still think anything higher than 222 for a stock block is too much cam for a daily driver. The highest I would go is comp cams 222/224 making a conservative 450fwhp without tuning.

You should also consider a 212/218. Max. gains up till 5000RPM and loses out to the 222/224 by only 10HP. If you want to go custom somethiong in between would be your best bet.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2005 | 07:34 PM
  #18  
Blue02Ws6's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
Default

Originally Posted by MNR-0
I still think anything higher than 222 for a stock block is too much cam for a daily driver.
Depends on your tuning, my 227/227 is perfect on the street, does not die, great mid power and pulls hard.


Originally Posted by MNR-0
The highest I would go is comp cams 222/224 making a conservative 450fwhp without tuning.
I would have to disagree with 380hp+ at the wheels in an UNTUNED car with this cam. You might get a fluke and get that much in a M6 with great headers and exhaust and a good tune but not untuned.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:02 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE