Patriot Performance Heads: This needs to be addressed!

**Black99Z28** · 05-05-2006, 05:38 AM

Okay, I live in Chicagoland area and I have spoken to MANY MANY performance shops that specialize in LS1 applications and have cars that run some pretty sick numbers and EVERY one of those shops told me to stay the hell away from these heads.

They said and I quote: "They are garbage, all of our customers have had nothing but problems with them, and end up buying a different set"

others have said: "regardless of the numbers they give you, when put on the engine and dyno tuned, these heads barely flow better than stock and do not make hardly any additional power, get something else"

One of these shops I speak about actually sells those heads! (but they dont recommend them)

I need to know once and for all if this is true.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT WANT MORONS THAT DO NOT HAVE THESE HEADS OR HAVE NOT USED THESE HEADS ANSWERING THIS. I DO NOT NEED OPINIONS, I NEED REAL FACTS.

IF YOU HAVE A CLOSE FRIEND WHO HAS THEM, FINE. BUT DONT LIE ABOUT IT.

I NEED INFO FROM SOMEONE WHO IS SERIOUS ABOUT POWER AND RACING, NOT WHO WANTS TO ADD 50HP TO THEIR STOCK ENGINE.

**nhraformula** · 05-05-2006, 05:46 AM

the old patriots were nothing but problems.
that was about 2 years ago.

patroits are a good head for the money.

**BIG D's SS** · 05-05-2006, 05:56 AM

Youe need to pm Sarge. He has had 2 sets of them. Ruined the first set when the motor slung a rod. The second set is on a 402 stroker. he swears by them. On here he is probably going to be your best bet. I have no info on them just trying to point you in the right direction.

**Mr. Luos** · 05-05-2006, 02:51 PM

Running Patriot Stage III heads on my 402 as well.
512 RWHP on a basic tune for the mods.
Tuned numbers (street/dyno tune) tomorrow afternoon.

**cailey37** · 05-05-2006, 05:47 PM

I'm running Stage III heads and I would highly recommend them!!! Can't be the bang for the buck!! And I'm not sure who your experts are there but the are smoking crack. Ask around.....I think GM High Performance did a comparison on them and said they were great......but bottome line....I use them...swear by them.....

**Mr. Luos** · 05-05-2006, 05:54 PM

As mentioned...
Patriot had some issues a couple years back. Those have been rectified.

Gunnar was GREAT to work with. Went beyond what he needed to do for me really.

I would recommend their heads now. Very impressed. I will be honest...I thought I would have some issues making a huge amount of power running a large cammed 11:1 402ci. I expected 500 RWHP after tune.
I made 512 RWHP on a base tune...and I will post up the dyno/street tuned numbers tomorrow. Might be looking at 540 RWHP with Patriot heads.

**cailey37** · 05-05-2006, 06:02 PM

I got 750RWHP running 15lbs of boost on them........and yes...I have a dyno sheet to prove it......

**nhraformula** · 05-05-2006, 06:28 PM

im in chicago also. i hate to say it but any tuner outside of speed inc here sucks.
ive dealt with them all.
larry from speed inc has no problems with those heads.
outlaw racing or whatever he calls himself nowadays, have fun getting you car a month after he tells you it would be done.
i can go on and on if you want

**Mr. Luos** · 05-05-2006, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by cailey37

I got 750RWHP running 15lbs of boost on them........and yes...I have a dyno sheet to prove it......

Nice!!

Not doubting...but I would like to see that chart. Always curious.

**cailey37** · 05-05-2006, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

Nice!!

Not doubting...but I would like to see that chart. Always curious.

Not a problem.....does anyone know how to get a pic on here??

**Mr. Luos** · 05-05-2006, 08:03 PM

Email one to me...
mrluos@yahoo.com

**Black99Z28** · 05-06-2006, 06:40 AM

Originally Posted by nhraformula

im in chicago also. i hate to say it but any tuner outside of speed inc here sucks.
ive dealt with them all.
larry from speed inc has no problems with those heads.
outlaw racing or whatever he calls himself nowadays, have fun getting you car a month after he tells you it would be done.
i can go on and on if you want

I know Speed Inc, I bought most of my sh!t from them. I was pretty sure I asked some guys over there about them, but probably made the mistake of not asking Larry. He sets all the appointments and does all the pricing, I should have just spoken with him.

If ALL you guys are making great power with these heads and the bugs are out of them, then I need to think about getting a set and soon!

My question is this though, I cannot get stage III unless I have over stock cubes right?

I have stock cubes for now, and probably will for quite awhile, so stage II?
Also, I really dont want to raise my compression too much. I like being able to spray the car and have the gas mileage good when I am not beating the crap out of her! (i know, I did say gas mileage, but hey gas is supposed to get up to 4 bucks a gallon and I HAVE to drive this car all summer long!)

**Mr. Luos** · 05-06-2006, 06:46 AM

Correct.
You don't want the Stage III valves for a stock bore motor. Too big.

**Black99Z28** · 05-06-2006, 06:55 AM

Okay. I see the LQ9 heads and the LS6 style heads flow the best for around where my cam will end up...

But the question I need answered now is which ones?
I know the LQ9s are going to lower my compression, but I am spraying the car, which would allow me to spray even more...

However, should I just keep the LS6 heads for a slightly higher compression and not be able to spray quite as much, but be able to make more power off the gun?

I guess the big question is, which in the end, will make more power?

**Mr. Luos** · 05-06-2006, 06:58 AM

How much spray you planning on using??
I always thought spray liked higher compression motors.

**Corona-Extra** · 05-06-2006, 08:19 AM

Nice Thread.. GREAT info..

i was looking in to getting a set of stage II....

**Corona-Extra** · 05-06-2006, 08:24 AM

this is the package i was looking at....

http://http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1406{49}585{15}158{50 }587&osCsid=16f935763ce76b0e588720fa104330b3

**johuckabee** · 05-06-2006, 09:00 AM

How do the Patriot heads compare to the more expensive brands like AFR and TTPerformance?

**Mr. Luos** · 05-06-2006, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by johuckabee

How do the Patriot heads compare to the more expensive brands like AFR and TTPerformance?

Not quite as good. But again...most of the time you get what you pay for.

Patriot heads are GREAT for the price. But also at that price, they aren't going to compete with a set of heads that costs twice as much.