Hi Everyone!
I'm building up a Gen IV 5.3 L (LH6) low'ish budget road track engine. It's going in a VERY light weight chassis, so max power is not the goal. I have to use what I have laying around the shop and what fits the chassis, so this mandates a LS1 F body intake. I have both 243 and 241 heads. I know that 799/243 heads are always better than 241 heads, but in this case, with the LS1 intake instead of a LS6 intake, would the 241 heads (milled to 64-65cc) be a bad idea? I don't want to leave too much power on the table, but this engine is small, and will never run over 5500 rpm in anger. I'd love to use the 241, since they don't have a lot of other uses, unlike the 243 / 799's.

Comments??

Thanks,
Gord.

 

The LS1 intake is a worst idea than either 241 or 243 heads for a NA 5.3 engine. The 5.3 will respond much better with a TBSS intake and make more hp and have a fatter torque curve.

You could probably sell the LS1 intake $125 and come up with a far better factory intake like a truck intake or TBSS intake or LS6 intake for ~$300 to $350 without too much issue. The TBSS with 243's would be be sweet.

The LS1 intake is one of the very worst flowing GM intake for these engines. Only thr LS4 intake is worse. The LS1 intake can work well enough in forced induction builds.

 

No. The LS1 intake is pretty much garbage. The LS6 intake is better. My 98 has the ls1 intake and its going bye bye sooner, rater than later.

 

The LS1 intake is not great but it can support more than the stock power level. If not a max build it should work fine but will leave power on the table. That being said I have also seen LS1 heads that were worked over that made really good power. It all depends on how much you want to make. 243 heads/LS6 intake will make more power than LS1 heads/intake.

 

Sure the 241 are really good heads so have them milled to 64 cc and have the LS1 intake ported to improve flow. Save the 243s for another project.

 

Sell the 241 and 243's then buy a cam and springs. Best bang for your buck on a low $ build. Keep your current heads and intake and put a good cam in it.

 

No problem with the 241’s in your application, but like others have said if you can use the TBSS manifold that would be a nice bump in power over the ls1 intake manifold.

 

Isn't the LS1 intake the same as the LS6 intake? I know my 01 SS came stock with 241's and an LS6 intake..[/QUOTE]

The LS6 intake became standard on 01+ LS1s. The 97-00 LS1 intake was garbage.

 

No. The LS6 intake is far superior to the LS1. Putting the LS6 on the 01+ LS1's was a major improvement.

 

You could also pick up some 862 heads for cheap, probably the same cost as milling the 241s. The smaller 61cc chamber will bump compression with the flattop pistons. You could sell the 241s and recoup the money or put the intake valves from the 241s into the 862s, but then you are looking at a bit more money in a valve job.

 

The LH6 had 243 heads in stock form. Run the 243 heads if you want the stock heads, mill the 241 heads and run them, or port either set to run 'em. The LS1 intake is quite pedestrian but it will fit easily in a tight engine bay; I'd run it.