Zak

I am considering Carteks LS6 ported head package. Can someone list the benefits of going with an LS6 ported head compared to a LS1 ported head? Also, any experiences with Cartek good and bad. Thanx.

Top Fuel

iTrader: (8)

LS6 heads will make some more power on a 346 cube car, but will really shine w/ bigger displacement.

another advantage would be, a higher compression ratio can be achieved without milling as much.

later,
Steve

RickZZ

I'm thinking of doing the same thing. I'm probably going to buy the LS-6 heads for $1,300, ls-6 springs and 2002 ls-6 soduim filled valves. I'm probably also going to use the 02 z06 cam with 550 lift. With this cam you have no drivability/idle/emmisions/ tourque converter problems. ( I had a 96 Z with the Hot cam and it sucked for drivability!)
Besides according th GMHT Mag stock z06 heads flow 268 STOCK! And the Agosono Stage 2 ported LS-1 heads flowed 269! Why not save money and buy stock GM Z06 heads that flow almost as good as Ported Ls-1 heads! Also I think you might even keep you GM warranty because there all GM parts!

WSlow6

Just a comment on personal experience with Cartek. I ordered a set of 'stage II' heads from them during a sale they had on the other large ls1 board. I didn't get any kind of flow specs on the new heads firstly.
Then, I shipped them back my cores via USPS. In retrospect I should have opted for signature confirmation in addition to delivery confrimation and insurance. So, you may surmise that Cartek claimed to never have received my cores despite recipts for shipping and delivery confirmation to their address. They claimed no one signed for it so they didn't get it. Suddenly my sale price for underperforming heads becomes not such a good deal. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> No flames here, just statement of fact. I got tired of calling and getting the run around. $400 was not worth the aggrevation but it is worth a few BBS messages <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> I'll go with ARE or MTI if I ever sink any more money in my car.

Justin2000Z28

I ordered a nitrous kit among other things from cartek I also got the run around when my bottle leaked. It took them about a month and a half after recieving it to get me a replacement. I also had parts missing from my kit. Cartek sucks.

PAULJ99Z

The LS6 intake port is roughly 10cc larger in volume than the LS1 intake, but does offer an improved short side radius with a higher and wider floor. This reduces velocity around the short side radius, improving flow in the midrange and upper lift. With minor porting in the bowl area and guide boss, these heads can flow 290-300 CFM with a stock intake valve, which is more than many stock cube LS1 motors need. Most importantly, combine this with a good 3-4 angle valve job for improved low and mid lift flow. From my flow bench testing, these heads are matched well to the LS6 intake, gaining some 20CFM over the LS1 intake at .550" lift. Doing minor work, LS6 heads can make 420-440 RWHP with a LS6 intake, longtubes, and 222-226 degree @ .050 cam.

Tekhombre

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by WSlow6:
<strong>Just a comment on personal experience with Cartek. I ordered a set of 'stage II' heads from them during a sale they had on the other large ls1 board. I didn't get any kind of flow specs on the new heads firstly.
Then, I shipped them back my cores via USPS. In retrospect I should have opted for signature confirmation in addition to delivery confrimation and insurance. So, you may surmise that Cartek claimed to never have received my cores despite recipts for shipping and delivery confirmation to their address. They claimed no one signed for it so they didn't get it. Suddenly my sale price for underperforming heads becomes not such a good deal. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> No flames here, just statement of fact. I got tired of calling and getting the run around. $400 was not worth the aggrevation but it is worth a few BBS messages <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> I'll go with ARE or MTI if I ever sink any more money in my car.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">WSlow6, we never received your cores, then when we asked you to show us proof what you had was a receipt that they were shipped but you couldn't produce a signed receipt by us. As I said before, we never received your cores and you will not get credit until we do.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Justin2000Z28:
<strong>I ordered a nitrous kit among other things from cartek I also got the run around when my bottle leaked. It took them about a month and a half after recieving it to get me a replacement. I also had parts missing from my kit. Cartek sucks.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Justin2000Z28, we did take care of your nitrous problem and we had to wait for NX to ship us a new bottle out, they need to see the damage before they warranty it. We don't open the nitrous kits before shipping, if something was missing then NX didn't have it in the box.

Julio.

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

Wslow, take that private, I'm sure you can produce a reciept for the heads you shipped and file a claim with the carrier. The carrier will show if someone signed for the stuff, if not you need to pursue it.

I am fast becoming a fan of LS6 heads.

I have a set coming from ARE but they are overdue by a month now.

WSlow6

PS John: The original request was for personal experiences dealing with Cartek, "good or bad". You would have to admit it is possible to have a bad experience with a vendor. I have already tried taking this private to the tune of a half dozen long distance calls on my own dime to no avail. I was never called back once as promised. I have recipts with the carrier (USPS) for a confirmed delivery to Cartek's address. If signature confirmation is required, it was not stated at the time as part of the return policy. I had insurance on the shipment as well, but you know what? The amount of time and frustration involved was becoming more than I ever wanted to invest in something like this. So like I said, the money involved was not enough to justify how absolutly pissed off I was getting but its worth some UBB posts. The recourse I have chosen is voicing my experiences. For the record I have posted positive messages about other vendors and no one seemed to want that to go private. I hope LS1Tech.com doesn't turn into LS1.com as far as posting policy. I have dropped easily over 20k in my car and a lot of it was business with sponsors of this board. I'm just calling it like I see it.
Personally, if I wanted a set of stock 98 heads I would order them from valvegod or via sales I have seen that would put the cost at half the $400 core charge. At any rate, it is well within bounds to relate an experience to another user who asks.
The best part about the "Cartek experience <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> " was the car only gained 57rwhp adding the head/cam package as well as an aluminum flywheel and LS6 intake... through FLPs w/ no cats and a Corsa catback. Would you be happy with this after being out an extra $400 plus long distance plus shipping, install etc? Somehow I don't think so. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Tekhombre:
WSlow6, we never received your cores, then when we asked you to show us proof what you had was a receipt that they were shipped but you couldn't produce a signed receipt by us. As I said before, we never received your cores and you will not get credit until we do.

Julio.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Great. You never received them and USPS says you did. I am actually quite over the whole situation. I only revisit this issue due to the excellent way I was treated by Cartek. I know for a fact several local modded f-body owners who have not ordered Cartek anything due to my experiences so, in a way, I have returned the favor. Maybe even twofold considering the money they have spent as well. It's really not the type of satisfaction I would've liked but I will take what I can get <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

VINCE

iTrader: (1)

I am WSlow6's co-worker.. I know his pain, because I had to hear him complain at work about the service.. His car is fast, but he did not get what Cartek promised.. He has the best bolt ons money can buy.. He researched for almost a year b4 purchasing his heads and cam. What sold him was all the shop cars dyno'ing over 400rwhp. What he did not know was he had to be a shop car too to get those #'s. Cartek has a lot to brag about. They have put out some awesome #'s and track times, but consistency is a issue. Either we live in a bad luck area, or people like to send us bad products.. I was going to buy a set of heads from one of Carteks customers while he was getting his engine built. I paid by CC to Cartek. When things changed with the deal it took almost 2 months for Cartek to credit my CC. I kept calling and they kept saying they have already credited my acct. I had my CC company on the line being quiet while they were telling me this.. I had to have Cartek do it while I was on the line to make sure they did it.. Oh yeah, in the meanwhile they were trying to sell me a set of new heads.. I have nothing against working with Cartek in the future. Rest assure I will drop my car off in New Jersey to have it done. Long distance service with Cartek is not all that great. You have to post on the board first and tell the world that you are having your car done at Cartek to get those big dyno #'s.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> Oh yeah, you can thank me later for sharing. Keep coming back, it works if you work it..

VINCE

iTrader: (1)

If I had to do it all over again I would go with he LS6 HEADS.. They seem to work the best..

JS

iTrader: (4)

I'm not sticking up for Cartek but who did the tuning on your package?Mail order tuning is hit or miss at best.

I know if MTI,MMS,TR did it then I would be feeling good about it but if u went mail order to tune,that could be the reason u didnt see the results.

I can tell u this
I have there S2X heads/cam
I got 60RWHP out of it on top of the 370 I had already...The car went consistant 116 in 55 degree weather before the Cartek package and 121 in 55 weather afterwards.I am very happy.

Now if u have a problem talk to Julio directly.
The guy wouldnt screw anyone.I think UPS lost the heads and tried to screw u.

Do alittle more research before throwing in the towel....

JS

<small>[ August 01, 2002, 07:02 PM: Message edited by: JS ]</small>

VINCE

iTrader: (1)

JS I was trying to change the subject and stick with the topic.. It seems you like to argue.. My friend has no reason to lie and he did follow up with UPS. He was on Carteks side the whole time complaining about UPS. The only other step he did not take was force UPS to take Cartek to court about the shipment. Most of the time UPS drops things off w/out actually making sure the person who signed it signed their name. As for the tuning I do not think he is going to pick up 50rwhp more with tuning. He even has a ARE360 shortblock.. I think he would not have had a problem with the loss if he had rec'd nearly what he was promised performance wise. Plus, there are no tuners in our area with ls1edit. No one in my area know enough about tuning to experiment. I am driving 20 hours to get my car tuned at Thunder Racing. I think Cartek should atleast offer some kind of mail order tuning with their special heads that need more pcm tuning than usual.. If you cant drop it.. I will personally pay for legal action on my friends behalf to get his core money back. We will pursue UPS to no avail about this.

WSlow6

Well, to keep this on topic, I am happy you had a decent Cartek experience. I know there are more than a few. I drew the short straw I suppose. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" />
About shipping and legal ramifications and whatever: it was USPS not UPS. If a UPS employee steals your package, its petty theft. If a USPS employee steals it, that is a federal crime. Not only do they lose their job if caught, they go to prison. I seriously doubt a USPS employee wants a set of used 98 heads that bad. The issue I have that I feel is warranted in this discussion is not the loss of the heads or the the core refund. It's the calls where I was blown off and the insinuating comments to the effect that I am a liar <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="gr_images/icons/mad.gif" /> . In Julio's defense, I spoke with a Dave mostly, as I recall. I've lost more than $400 on lots of things that didn't **** me nearly so much as this. There is probably a customer service anecdote here somewhere.
I fully intend to have those heads off within a year, swapped for another vendors ls6 heads and for laughs, have the old heads flowed out of morbid curiousity <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> . And once again, Zak, I have to point out MTI's reputation and consistency. That's where I would go if I had to do this over. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

JS

iTrader: (4)

Again I dont know what to say other than speak to Julio himself.
This is my opinion.

As far as UPS,I work in the speed field.
At AtoZ Performance in PA.I right checks and get packages ALL DAY LONG.My UPS driver is the same guy MOST of the time unless he's sick or on vaca,personal day.I ALWAYS have to sign and if the driver doesnt know me he ASK MY FULL NAME.So u are totally incorrect.

By the way,Since working at the speed shop 2 UPS drivers have been fired for stealing.It happens more than u know,Suprised me to tell u the truth.

As far as tuning,U shouldve had Geoff do it from the get go if he wasnt too far.Now u wanna take the heads off and flow them which doesnt me squat from bench to bench.

Tuning is very very important.
Geoff will tell u that for sure.

Will u get 50RW from tuning,NO WAY!!
But 25RW can be gotten if the setup was off.

I would really look into redynoing the setup after a full tune.Is this a 6sp or automatic car were taking about and how did u get the 360 shortblock....Was it stroke or bore?

JS

<small>[ August 02, 2002, 01:09 AM: Message edited by: JS ]</small>

VINCE

iTrader: (1)

Hehehe.. Geoff is a 20 hour road trip.. M6 is his setup.. I made the mistake and said UPS. If you read his entire post he corrected me. It is USPS who delivered the package. Yes it is a federal offense to steal. For now on Cartek needs to inform everyone that the H/C package will not perform properly unless you use ls1edit and get wideband tuning. Also, if you cannot do that then you should not purchase Carteks H/C packages. I think WSlow6 has every right to have his heads flowed and the results posted on the board. Secondary to never receiving a flow sheet from Cartek after repeated request. I think the people should know what you get from mail order heads. His ARE360 shortblock came from TimZ28.. I am sure they will be flow tested by one of the vendors on this board as well post purchasing another vendors LS6 heads.

JS

iTrader: (4)

I would say MOST of the radical H/C packages from all of the sponsers would need tuning to preform correctly.I could be wrong but once u step into these newer/faster ramping cams u need to tune via LS1 edit.I think u know that already so I wont even get into that with u.

I say USPS lost your heads.U say they didnt.Why would CARTEK take your heads.I just dont see Julio doing something like this to a customer,and u wont convince me of it.

Are u going to have your NEW setup tuned via LS1-Edit or just throw it on like u did the Cartek H/C.Get my point?

Flowing heads from shop to shop are like playing tic/tac/toe.Its a no win situation but definelty your perogative..

I will say if u wanted a flow sheet they shouldve sent u one.Me,I could give a rats ***.MPH is my determination of quality.I picked up 5 to 6 MPH and I'm happy.

Good luck with whatever u decide
No hard feelings...

JS

Fenris Ulf

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by RickZZ:
<strong>Besides according th GMHT Mag stock z06 heads flow 268 STOCK! And the Agosono Stage 2 ported LS-1 heads flowed 269! Why not save money and buy stock GM Z06 heads that flow almost as good as Ported Ls-1 heads! Also I think you might even keep you GM warranty because there all GM parts!</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I can see you are new to the LS1 community <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> I would strongly advise against using ARE heads as a benchmark for all LS1 ported heads for comparison purposes. My friend just picked up his 6.0L solid roller heads from GTP this week and they broke 300 cfms at only .450 lift, and were at 330 cfms at .600 lift. Ported 6.0L heads will flow just as well as LS6 heads, compression is the only difference from what I understand.

VINCE

iTrader: (1)

JS... WSlow6 does not go to the track. His only way of knowing how things perform is by SOTP and by dynos... He will find out who stole his heads.. Rest assure..

DrkPhx

iTrader: (15)

WSlow6 - You do you have recourse through USPS,especially if the packages(s) was insured.
The amount of time to file a claim or "denial of delivery " is minimal considering how much money you have invested. By initiating a claim USPS will start an investigation and attempt to track the package through it's point of origin post office and the destination post office.I understand your frustration, since I deal with UPS, USPS and truck shipments on a daily basis. I would pursue it,after all isn't that why you got insurance in the first place?

Without pointing a finger at Cartek (who had a great feature write up in HPP a couple months ago),9 out of 10 times when someone says they never received a package usually after double checking, they find it. This is the best reason to use UPS. They issue a tracking number and are required to get a signature at a commercial building (not residential). If they can't prove it was signed for, you get a refund check after 10 days of the claim.

I hope the best to you and Cartek.

Now can we get back to the topic of LS6 heads? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />