LS6 vs 5.3 heads
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On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Kingston, Ontario, Canada
LS6 vs 5.3 heads for a stock cammed motor on an 01 motor, what would be better heads for a minor hop up, the LS6 or 5.3?
I know the LS6 has the power potential and air flow, but what does it doto the compression? Does it bump it a point like the 5.3 which makes power?
If I do the LS6 head, was thinking about the LS6 cam to keep drivabilaty and streetability with power.
Any thoughts or whats better or a better idea?
Thanks,
Ryan
I know the LS6 has the power potential and air flow, but what does it doto the compression? Does it bump it a point like the 5.3 which makes power?
If I do the LS6 head, was thinking about the LS6 cam to keep drivabilaty and streetability with power.
Any thoughts or whats better or a better idea?
Thanks,
Ryan
I would recommend the 5.3l Heads. The smaller combustion chamber and smaller runner make it a better head for the street in my opinion. Feel free to give us a call if you have any more questions!
I don't know that the 5.3's would nessecarily make more peak power but they will have better low end power and throttle response because of the features on the heads. The 5.3l heads have a smaller 220cc runner as well as the smaller 62cc chamber, both of which provide for more power down low compared to an LS6 head. In my opinion, the 5.3l head would be better then the ls6's for the street because of added power down low.
*****, Janz is referring to CNC'd castings, not as cast.
Box stock, I'd likely go LS6 over the 5.3L heads too.
Box stock, I'd likely go LS6 over the 5.3L heads too.
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I don't know that the 5.3's would nessecarily make more peak power but they will have better low end power and throttle response because of the features on the heads. The 5.3l heads have a smaller 220cc runner as well as the smaller 62cc chamber, both of which provide for more power down low compared to an LS6 head. In my opinion, the 5.3l head would be better then the ls6's for the street because of added power down low.
So are the 5.3's a good match for the MS4 cam for the street?
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I still say if he wants a GM casting the LS6 is the way to go. If the 5.3 was a better head for the street GM would have put them on the vette instead of the 243's. Hopefully he'll get a good cam and not try to make up for a bad one with a "smaller runner" head. If he's going to have to run a truck head to have any low end torque for the street he might as well run the truck intake also.
I still say if he wants a GM casting the LS6 is the way to go. If the 5.3 was a better head for the street GM would have put them on the vette instead of the 243's. Hopefully he'll get a good cam and not try to make up for a bad one with a "smaller runner" head. If he's going to have to run a truck head to have any low end torque for the street he might as well run the truck intake also.
Another useless argument coming right up. Really, there is no HUGE power difference in the two box stock.
Once again, its all about how you drive your car and what you like in a engine. Some people like high-strung peaky huge cam motors and others like to make peak torque at 1800-5000 rpm.
Which one are you?
Once again, its all about how you drive your car and what you like in a engine. Some people like high-strung peaky huge cam motors and others like to make peak torque at 1800-5000 rpm.
Which one are you?
I still say if he wants a GM casting the LS6 is the way to go. If the 5.3 was a better head for the street GM would have put them on the vette instead of the 243's. Hopefully he'll get a good cam and not try to make up for a bad one with a "smaller runner" head. If he's going to have to run a truck head to have any low end torque for the street he might as well run the truck intake also.
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No I didn't miss that part at all. I would take the 243 heads with a simple valve job and the springs set up properly over those 5.3's any day. Why pay for a CNC ported head when he can get some 243's from ebay lap the valves in and set up a set of PAC springs on them?
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I bought some 243's off a 06 GTO had some nice stainless backcut valves installed and a good hand portjob with lots of bowl work....with a streetsweeper HT they flow well all the way to 6900....and they still gave a slight bump in compression over the 241
No I didn't miss that part at all. I would take the 243 heads with a simple valve job and the springs set up properly over those 5.3's any day. Why pay for a CNC ported head when he can get some 243's from ebay lap the valves in and set up a set of PAC springs on them?
I wish I had spent a bit more and got a stage I CNC ported 243 or these 5.3 stage 2.5's for about the same price. Either would probably be a good choice for me since I have a small cam.
but aren't all the budged cnc'd 5.3's milled? no reason you can't mill the 243 heads or do like I did and run a .040 gasket and help the quench too
I have seen tons of setups with LS6 heads myself. But not so much on the 5.3s Is there a limit to which you would dump the 5.3's?
What basically I am saying is there a limit to the 5.3's as far as cam size and power levels?
What basically I am saying is there a limit to the 5.3's as far as cam size and power levels?