VTtransam

Is anyone running the 5.3 or 6.0 heads in a head/cam package?? I know the 5.7 L heads would be best, but i've heard about guys running 5.3 or 6.0 L heads for a heads/cam package. My questions are... which heads are the cheapest unported?? Which heads work best on our cars after port/polishing. Does anything have to be done to the 5.3 or 6.0 heads to make them work best (valves?) Also, my goal is about 420 rwhp, but still maintain great drivability, what size should i have the heads i choose ported?? and what brand of cam and specs would would work well with my heads. Also i have a 99 so should i go with larger injectors? I also plan on going with a LS6 intake when i do this over the winter. I want to save as much money on this project as i can, so if anyone knows where i can get a set of stock heads i know a guy that will cnc port them for a few hundred. I also plan on doing this myself. Is this a good idea if i have never done this on an ls1 before? Also for you guys that have done it yourself, would you do it again or just pay to have it done? sorry this is so long, thanks for your time!!!!
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

Patrick G

iTrader: (14)

5.7 and 5.3L heads have similar ports and will flow the same when ported. The 5.3L heads will give nearly a 1 point increase in compression which is good for close to 20 rwhp on an LS1 motor with a good cam. Advantage 5.3L heads.

The 6.0L heads ('01 and up aluminum versions) outflow all 5.7L and 5.3L heads by a good margin because they're based on the excellent LS6 heads. When ported, they flow about 10 numbers better than 5.7L heads or 5.3L heads, but it comes at a price. The combustion chamber is a little bigger than the 5.7L heads and a lot bigger than the 5.3L heads.This means compression ratio will drop and across the board torque will decrease. If you mill the 6.0L heads enough to make the chamber smaller and gain some compression back, they are the best head of the ones you mentioned. And affordable.

bigSS

Are the heads priced differently?

Patrick G

iTrader: (14)

New, the heads are priced similarly. Used, it varies based on demand. 5.3L heads used to be dirt cheap, but since the word's out that they're the hot ticket for high compression, the price has risen. 6.0L heads are hard to find used...too new.

VINCE

iTrader: (1)

Good explanation Patrick..

BlakCamZ28

what would the compression ration be on a stock short block with the 6.0 heads?

Linear Velocity

iTrader: (1)

420 rwhp with no custom tuning with 5.3 heads here. Compression on the 6.0 will be less but they can be milled to get a good comprssion out of them.

VTtransam

Thanks guys, It sounds like each head has its pros and cons. I may just go which whichever heads i can find at the best price. What size should i get them ported to? Should I just go with a standard stage two size for my 420rwhp goal? Also what cams seem to work well? I've heard and read alot about the TR224 cam, would this be a good choice? Also for you guys that did the install yourselves, was it extremely difficult? Thanks again!!!! <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

VTtransam

Anyone else have any info on the 5.3L heads?? I can use any help I can get. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />

02 Silver Z

iTrader: (8)

ttt

blackLS1

You might want to try doing a search for 5.3 heads.A whole world of useful info has been posted.I plan on looking in to some 5.3 too. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[pimp]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_pimp.gif" />