Generation IV Internal Engine 2005-2014 LS2 | LS3 | LS7 | L92 | LS9

LSA head ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 16, 2023 | 04:53 PM
  #1  
Utinator's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 226
From: San Antonio
Default LSA head ?

Has anyone used an LSA (4863) head in an N/A application? I know they are hard to find, but I would think they would flow better than a typical LS3 (823) head. From what I found, the LSA heads have a 12 degree valve angle. I know the intake port is still the same, but the 12 degree valve angle should help. That is the angle that most aftermarket heads use. That would be awesome if the LSA heads could be ported to make about the same HP as AFR or Trick flow heads. Stock LSA heads (new) are half the price of aftermarket heads. That would be a better deal if they make similar power.

I know the power gains with a stock CID engine would be minimal, but I was thinking about using the LSA heads in a stroker application. The LS3 (823) heads seem to do ok in strokers, but the aftermarket heads appear to make at least 20-30 hp more. I'm not sure if that is all because of valve angle, or if the port design is that much different. If you use the same valves, how do you think ported LSA heads would compare to an aftermarket head?
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2023 | 05:36 PM
  #2  
G Atsma's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,300
Likes: 3,625
From: Central Cal.
Default

I just checked, the LS9 valve angle is 15 degrees, not 12.
They are made using the same basic molds most rectangular heads use, so the valve angle would be the same.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2023 | 10:26 PM
  #3  
Utinator's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 226
From: San Antonio
Default

Yes, the LS9 heads are 15 degrees from what I found. They are a different casting number though. From what I found, the LS9 has 1771 heads. The LSA is 4863. I found the LSA info on Summit and On All Cylinders websites. They both say the LSA has 12 degree valve angles. I’m not sure if there is any other way to confirm that.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2023 | 10:39 PM
  #4  
wannafbody's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,638
Likes: 1,159
From: Pittsburgh
Default

Only way to know if they are better is to flow test them against a 823 head.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2023 | 10:42 PM
  #5  
Che70velle's Avatar
ModSquad
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 7,860
Likes: 5,212
From: Dawsonville Ga.
Default

LSA heads are 15 degrees. The only OEM head with a 12 degree valve angle is the LS7. The LSA (and LS9) castings are made from a much better material (through process) than an average LS3 head, but they are essentially the same casting design.
​​​​​​….edit…I love Summit Racing, but there are tons of errors on their data pages.
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2023 | 12:57 PM
  #6  
Utinator's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 226
From: San Antonio
Default

If the LSA heads don't have a 12 degree valve angle, then I wouldn't want them. I'd rather have the 821 heads with hollow stem intake valves. I'll probably look around some more to see if I can find any other sources of information on the LSA heads. I like Summit too, but I know their specs aren't always completely accurate.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:58 PM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE