Deciding factor(s) between LS6/243 & 5.3L heads?
Deciding factor(s) between LS6/243 & 5.3L heads? I've read a ton about some killer heads out there using both castings for great power/track results (ie TEAs 5.3Ls). I know the 5.3s will raise the compression, but couldn't you mill the LS6s even more? Not worried about having to flycut as they'll be used with a small cam. What should I consider to make my decision between the castings (I will have either one worked over very well)? Thanks!
compare results with your setup is the best way to know what to expect. Do a search and look for similar setups and make your decision from the results. I was told by one expert on here that buying my PRC 5.3 heads from Texas Speed was a big mistake and I would be lucky to get 400 rwhp with my cam(tr224). He wanted me to go with the ls6 heads instead for more money. I'm putting down about 440 rwhp and 420tq for $700 less than it would have cost me for similar ls6 heads. Would I have been better with the other heads? hard to say, these heads perform pretty damn good and with about 11:75 to 1 compression my car is snorty. And by the way the tea's arent any better than the TSP/PRC's. I have a graph of my car outpulling tea's and an fm13 all the way to 5800 rpms. I'd go with who ever gives you the better deal on all your parts involved in the swap. Your going to need gaskets and heads bolts and I did my lifters while I was there. Car had 77k on it. Oh ya DART just entered the picture with some very inexpensive heads with slightly lesser flow numbers. Thats another option.
Originally Posted by Pimpium57
I've read a ton about some killer heads out there using both castings for great power/track results (ie TEAs 5.3Ls). I know the 5.3s will raise the compression, but couldn't you mill the LS6s even more? Not worried about having to flycut as they'll be used with a small cam. What should I consider to make my decision between the castings (I will have either one worked over very well)? Thanks!
Brandon
I would go with some LS6 (243) heads and heads don't need to be expensive. I bought my LS6 heads used for $700-. The heads came milled .030 and already had 2.05 intake and 1.60 exhaust valves on them. They had some minor port work done in the bowl area but I then had my close friend fully port them. Including the Manley dual springs, titanium retainers, valve job, port work and cost of the heads I have less than $1200 into my set of 243 LS6 heads. If you keep an eye out on this forum and ebay you can usually run into a great deal on a set of LS6 heads.
Originally Posted by Brak Attack
I would go with some LS6 (243) heads and heads don't need to be expensive. I bought my LS6 heads used for $700-. The heads came milled .030 and already had 2.05 intake and 1.60 exhaust valves on them. They had some minor port work done in the bowl area but I then had my close friend fully port them. Including the Manley dual springs, titanium retainers, valve job, port work and cost of the heads I have less than $1200 into my set of 243 LS6 heads. If you keep an eye out on this forum and ebay you can usually run into a great deal on a set of LS6 heads.
Brandon
Bang for your buck, the 5.3 heads are hard to beat in most applications. I would use a 5.3 in most applications unless you absolutely had to squeeze every last HP out of your engine. Otherwise a quality set of 5.3L TEA/PRC/FFHP/ET heads are a good choice.
Pick your vendor after talking with them. They are all great, just use the one that seems to understand your goals best.
Good luck...BTW you can't loose here.
Pick your vendor after talking with them. They are all great, just use the one that seems to understand your goals best.
Good luck...BTW you can't loose here.
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Originally Posted by xfactor_pitbulls
I would say that a deal like that is rare. It would be dirt cheap even if you didnt have the 2.05 valves. Dont forget, that requires new intake seats. Most times a set of heads like you have complete would go for ~$1800 used.
Brandon
Brandon
Originally Posted by Brak Attack
I wouldn't say it is too rare. You can find 243 heads on the ZO6 forum in the $700- range all day long (there are a couple sets of them on there as I type this). Now I did get the hookup on my port work, it was $200 total for the porting and valve job.
Originally Posted by Brak Attack
I wouldn't say it is too rare. You can find 243 heads on the ZO6 forum in the $700- range all day long (there are a couple sets of them on there as I type this). Now I did get the hookup on my port work, it was $200 total for the porting and valve job.
Brandon
No valves with the first set and you can buy new patriots for less than 1k as well but I wouldnt buy them.
Originally Posted by Pimpium57
I've read a ton about some killer heads out there using both castings for great power/track results (ie TEAs 5.3Ls). I know the 5.3s will raise the compression, but couldn't you mill the LS6s even more? Not worried about having to flycut as they'll be used with a small cam. What should I consider to make my decision between the castings (I will have either one worked over very well)? Thanks!
I'm going to be running these heads with, as mentioned, a VERY small cam, along with just an LS6 intake and ported stock TB........I'm trying to pinpoint EXACTLY what would suit my needs best. I'm looking for speed, not looking for a dyno freak.
So far, I'm pretty much sold on the 5.3Ls based on the gains per dollar. I've searched thru different setups and it seems that the LS6s are showing little to no gains over the latest 5.3s, and once you consider the cost, the 5.3s are the better buy.
What's the deal with the new 5.7s? I heard they are out, but that's the extent of it. What are the details on the 451rwhp? Seems pretty high, and IF that's a consistent gain/result, then why bother with 5.3s or LS6s......that just tells me you're wasting your cash (I know that's most likely NOT the case). Where else have these 5.7s been tested?
So far, I'm pretty much sold on the 5.3Ls based on the gains per dollar. I've searched thru different setups and it seems that the LS6s are showing little to no gains over the latest 5.3s, and once you consider the cost, the 5.3s are the better buy.
What's the deal with the new 5.7s? I heard they are out, but that's the extent of it. What are the details on the 451rwhp? Seems pretty high, and IF that's a consistent gain/result, then why bother with 5.3s or LS6s......that just tells me you're wasting your cash (I know that's most likely NOT the case). Where else have these 5.7s been tested?
ttt again....I've got the car apart and I'm ready to move on something....
I've got my cam already (short duration with higher lifts).....I was told that the 5.3L are going to be the better choice due to the smaller port volume. Can anyone elaborate more on this? I'm also concerned with what the best valve sizes would be. Thanks for the input so far!
I've got my cam already (short duration with higher lifts).....I was told that the 5.3L are going to be the better choice due to the smaller port volume. Can anyone elaborate more on this? I'm also concerned with what the best valve sizes would be. Thanks for the input so far!
