Head advice for ls2 - need help in making a decision
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Teching In
Joined: Mar 2010
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Head advice for ls2 - need help in making a decision I was planning to use my stock 243 heads and have the folowing already. Since I am pulling the heads to repace lifters I am considering either porting the heads or just going with the trickflow as cast 220. Would anyone recommend AI porting or the as cast? Here are my mods/parts I already have:
2007 cts-v with ls2
Kooks 1 7/8 headers
Lingenfelter CAI
Full Corsa with no cats and NO Weeds diverters to dump after the headers
Installing:
FAST 102
NW 102 TB
4" straight tube and SD Tune to eliminate MAF
EPS 230/238 .600/.615 112LSA +2 EPS/LXL lobes
yella terra 1.7 roller rockers
7.425 pushrods
prc double springs
FAST fuel rails
42# injectors
ls7 lifters
25% UD pulley
Mcleod twin disc clutch
Since the heads are going to be off, I am thinking about eating the restocking fee for the springs and just getting the Trickflow as cast 220 with springs already installed and mill the heads. I could then sell the 243 heads. Or would you just have the heads ported? WIll it be a noticeable gain with my supporting mods or should I just leave the heads alone? I don't want to spend a lot, but I am starting to think I should do something since they will already be off the car..... Thanks for any input if you made it this far.
2007 cts-v with ls2
Kooks 1 7/8 headers
Lingenfelter CAI
Full Corsa with no cats and NO Weeds diverters to dump after the headers
Installing:
FAST 102
NW 102 TB
4" straight tube and SD Tune to eliminate MAF
EPS 230/238 .600/.615 112LSA +2 EPS/LXL lobes
yella terra 1.7 roller rockers
7.425 pushrods
prc double springs
FAST fuel rails
42# injectors
ls7 lifters
25% UD pulley
Mcleod twin disc clutch
Since the heads are going to be off, I am thinking about eating the restocking fee for the springs and just getting the Trickflow as cast 220 with springs already installed and mill the heads. I could then sell the 243 heads. Or would you just have the heads ported? WIll it be a noticeable gain with my supporting mods or should I just leave the heads alone? I don't want to spend a lot, but I am starting to think I should do something since they will already be off the car..... Thanks for any input if you made it this far.
^^^Im with him, nothIng like TFS but I'd save and go with the 225's. If you have a deal on the 220's then go with those and see if you can have AI just port the intake and exhaust ports. The c/c is already cnc'd. Goodluck
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In the overwhelming majority of applications looking to make 450-500rwhp we would suggest staying with the GM 243. Not only will it be more consistent than an as cast head, but our fully ported GM castings tend to make as much & often more power as well. Furthermore, the valves are significantly lighter, the heads are far lighter (and above cg), guides last longer, you are assured OEM fitment, and on and on. There is little incentive to buy an aftermarket head for most applications. I like TFS' castings, and we have CNC programs for several (including a couple for the as cast 220). I'd still recommend our 243 CNC work - it is a far better value. That you already own castings with more potential than it sounds like your project needs makes it a no brainer. IMO 
The spring kit is useable, but pushrods may not be. They're typically the last thing bought since there is no way to tell precisely what length you'll need until the other variables are set. Ideally we'd supply a custom grind specifically suited to your particular application. Putting projects together piecemeal rarely works out as well as having someone simply supply you with an entire setup designed to work together.
Good luck & thanks for your interest!
-Phil
The spring kit is useable, but pushrods may not be. They're typically the last thing bought since there is no way to tell precisely what length you'll need until the other variables are set. Ideally we'd supply a custom grind specifically suited to your particular application. Putting projects together piecemeal rarely works out as well as having someone simply supply you with an entire setup designed to work together.
Good luck & thanks for your interest!
-Phil
Banned
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 18
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I have yet to see any stock LS2 BE with anybody's cnc'd ported 243's, cam and intake put down 500rwhp, NA on pump gas daily driver.
or 500rwhp NA stock LS2 BE with an aftermarket aluminum head 225/227/230cc except for Patrick G and his G8 with Mamo ported AFR 230v2 and mamo ported fast intake and moderate HR cam. and the rwtq never comes close to the rwhp.
That's why I went with a maggie TVS 2300. guaranteed 500/500 to the tire and probably more like 550 on 8lbs.
or 500rwhp NA stock LS2 BE with an aftermarket aluminum head 225/227/230cc except for Patrick G and his G8 with Mamo ported AFR 230v2 and mamo ported fast intake and moderate HR cam. and the rwtq never comes close to the rwhp.
That's why I went with a maggie TVS 2300. guaranteed 500/500 to the tire and probably more like 550 on 8lbs.
I have yet to see any stock LS2 BE with anybody's cnc'd ported 243's, cam and intake put down 500rwhp, NA on pump gas daily driver.
or 500rwhp NA stock LS2 BE with an aftermarket aluminum head 225/227/230cc except for Patrick G and his G8 with Mamo ported AFR 230v2 and mamo ported fast intake and moderate HR cam. and the rwtq never comes close to the rwhp.
That's why I went with a maggie TVS 2300. guaranteed 500/500 to the tire and probably more like 550 on 8lbs.
or 500rwhp NA stock LS2 BE with an aftermarket aluminum head 225/227/230cc except for Patrick G and his G8 with Mamo ported AFR 230v2 and mamo ported fast intake and moderate HR cam. and the rwtq never comes close to the rwhp.
That's why I went with a maggie TVS 2300. guaranteed 500/500 to the tire and probably more like 550 on 8lbs.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...k-results.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...-494-rwhp.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...st-2009-a.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...nths-5mph.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...inc-tuned.html
-Phil
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 103
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From: N/A
Picking a horsepower # as a goal is a good way to set yourself up for failure in our experience. The highest peak # claimed is rarely the fastest accelerating car w/ the best response. It is highly improbable that the setup in question will make 500rwhp SAE on a dynojet regardless of what head he runs by simply bolting on the current parts listed. Beyond that, focusing on power alone ignores the other trade offs incurred w/ an aftermarket casting. As the aftermarket head must function with OEM valve locations & manifolds made to work w/ the OEM port location, they have little inherent performance advantage. Certainly not enough to overcome the disadvantages for the average guy looking for the best value. When all castings being discussed have the potential to support 450rwhp+ when properly modified it is the machine work applied that then dictates the potential. GM's 243 is a great casting to work with:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...k-results.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...-494-rwhp.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...st-2009-a.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...nths-5mph.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...inc-tuned.html
-Phil
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...k-results.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...-494-rwhp.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...st-2009-a.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...nths-5mph.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...inc-tuned.html
-Phil
And this: https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...s-503rwhp.html
Also, I'd be willing to put money on that 500/500 Maggie car getting donkey stomped by a Ported 243 Head/Cam car.
Banned
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 18
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This. ^
And this: https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...s-503rwhp.html
Also, I'd be willing to put money on that 500/500 Maggie car getting donkey stomped by a Ported 243 Head/Cam car.
And this: https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...s-503rwhp.html
Also, I'd be willing to put money on that 500/500 Maggie car getting donkey stomped by a Ported 243 Head/Cam car.
what does a H/C/I car with ported 243's do then, lol??
Last edited by 331billet; Jul 20, 2011 at 07:22 PM.
