243 LS6 heads
intake ports

exhaust ports

deck side

241 - 243 castings

I inserted my fingers in the intake and exhaust ports to determine some internal differences. All I can say is with two fingers together I'm able to very slightly go deeper into the LS6 exhaust ports and with 3 fingers I "think" there's a tiny bit of volume increase for the 243s. It is difficult to believe that such a minuscule difference can add any significant power.

Yes the LS6 heads are slightly bigger. They are also a different design. The D-shaped exhaust ports are said to be a big improvement over the LS1's O-shaped exhaust ports. I don't know all of the details. But when it comes to heads, bigger isn't always better.

Yes the LS6 heads are slightly bigger. They are also a different design. The D-shaped exhaust ports are said to be a big improvement over the LS1's O-shaped exhaust ports. I don't know all of the details. But when it comes to heads, bigger isn't always better.
Stock LS1 Heads
Chamber 66.67 cc 0.100 0.200 0.300 0.400 0.500 0.550 0.600
Intake 200 cc 67 122 178 215 219 223 227
Exhaust 70 cc 52 97 133 156 170 176 180
Valve Diameter Intake 2.00"
Valve Diameter Exhaust 1.55"
Part Number 12559853 (1997-98)
12559853 (1999-00)
12564241 (2001-03)
Stock LS6 Heads
Chamber 64.45 cc 0.100 0.200 0.300 0.400 0.500 0.550 0.600
Intake 210 cc 62 126 184 224 251 256 257
Exhaust 75 cc 57 108 143 163 176 180 183
Valve Diameter Intake 2.00"
Valve Diameter Exhaust 1.55"
Part Number 12564243 (2001 +Z06)
This is the way that people get ripped off when buying a set of ported heads- they simply don't know what they're looking at.
Ben T.
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some noted difference:
in port vol. ex port vol. ComChambr (cc)
+ gasket vol.
241---- 200 70 66.67
243---- 210 75 64.45
LS6 heads have higher flowing ports and chambers compared to LS1.
Last edited by cowboysfan; May 5, 2007 at 05:30 AM.

Yes the LS6 heads are slightly bigger. They are also a different design. The D-shaped exhaust ports are said to be a big improvement over the LS1's O-shaped exhaust ports. I don't know all of the details. But when it comes to heads, bigger isn't always better.
I'm counting on those subtle differences to make more power but I am amazed at how close the two heads are. Even little things like where the side of a cutter rubbed along the intake port walls to cut the bolt head counter bores are identical between the heads. I think after seeing them together I might have opted to just have the 241 heads reworked instead of replacing them with the 243s. Although the deal on the new heads and cam was terrific.
some noted difference:
in port vol. / ex port vol. / ComChambr (cc)
+ gasket vol.
241---- 200 / 70 / 66.67
243---- 210 / 75 / 64.45
LS6 heads have higher flowing ports and chambers compared to LS1.
Marty
Marty
It's much "improved" on the LS6- well, it's more simlar to an LT1 head. I'm not sure if it's "better" or not though. It's taller, but most importantly it's wider. You end up with more area at that cross section.
Ben T.
http://www.idavette.net/hib/ls6/imag...ges/407B_8.jpg
Hopefully that link still works. All I get out here is red X's for flipping everything. Stupid military firewalls
Marty



