Ls6 new heads.

**98maro** · 08-31-2010, 04:17 PM

Where could find new ls6 heads?
And how much they go for.
And do they come complete. Springs,valves and all that
Thanks.

**DaddySS** · 08-31-2010, 05:02 PM

Check our sponsors, New Era and LM performance, also GM performance parts

**98maro** · 08-31-2010, 06:26 PM

Thanks for the help.
I'll go check Thank you

**jetaws6** · 09-09-2010, 05:31 AM

Ported or stock?

**xmarkx** · 09-09-2010, 08:32 AM

check eBay. I found mine on there brand new, ported and polished for 700. some guy had them then changed his mind so he just wanted to get rid of them

**98maro** · 09-09-2010, 01:09 PM

I was lookin for stock but if I could find em potted even better.
But I was just triyin to have an idea how much they are.
I'm gonna start buy parts for my motor in like 1 or 2 months.
I heard guys talkin bout 853 heads. Are those similar to 243?
Or any other good heads from GM that could work with ls1

**jetaws6** · 09-09-2010, 01:16 PM

jegs has ported ls6 heads from patriot for 1300 shipped. I just slapped them on my car not to long ago and they are working great for me

**98maro** · 09-09-2010, 01:19 PM

I'm a go check em out. Thanks
I found some on eBay. For $400. But dnt came with the springs valves or anythin

**jetaws6** · 09-09-2010, 01:26 PM

They are fully assembled. I can let you know what I put down next Saturday with a 228r cam if you want

**98maro** · 09-09-2010, 01:39 PM

Yes pls let me know what gains you get.
I probably get the same cam for mine.
Did you installed the heads your self or u took it to the shop?

**jetaws6** · 09-09-2010, 03:53 PM

Me and some of my friends did all the work. There's a great write up ls1howto.com about a heads and cam swap that tells you everything you need to do. I followed it step by step and it went relatively smooth for it being my first time ever doing work like that.

**98maro** · 09-09-2010, 04:37 PM

I want to do the job my self. So I can learn and save some money
But I have a friend who knows the basic on mechanics. But he said he dnt knw if he could do it
How long did it take you?

**TXZ28LS1** · 09-09-2010, 10:40 PM

you should be able to find a cheap used set of LS6 heads for around $400 bucks. Then just send them to TEA..

**98maro** · 09-09-2010, 10:53 PM

A while bk some guy was sellin me some 243 heads with low miles.
For $300. I couldn't buy them at that time
But what's the deal with the 853s?
Are those the same or similar heads

**jetaws6** · 09-10-2010, 03:45 AM

Originally Posted by 98maro

I want to do the job my self. So I can learn and save some money
But I have a friend who knows the basic on mechanics. But he said he dnt knw if he could do it
How long did it take you?

It took me about a full weekend of work then working on it every night that week from 6-11 at night then a Saturday I think. I am not really the best mechanic either and my friends are basic mechanics pretty much. A word of advice though is to make sure your extremely careful taking the cam out so you don't scratch the bearings. Make sure you clean all your gasket surfaces off really good as well

**wooddaniel** · 09-10-2010, 06:38 AM

Originally Posted by 98maro

Where could find new ls6 heads?
And how much they go for.
And do they come complete. Springs,valves and all that
Thanks.

Check EBay and Craigslist, Also 799 casting heads are essentially the same heads as 243s. They also go for a little cheaper than the 243s. If you are doing a cam you are gonna want new springs anyways. You can reuse the stock rockers. 853s are nothing special. Dont waste the $$ getting them ported if you can get 243s.

**98maro** · 09-10-2010, 09:53 AM

I am thikin bout getting a cam.
But I'm not sure how big cuz the emissions here in Cali.
So the 243s are ready for the Cam right ?
What bout the 799. What valves should I use?
The same ones as the 243s or there's anything better than that.
Thanks 4 the help

**Firebirdjones** · 09-10-2010, 11:13 AM

The 799's (number doesn't ring a bell) might be the 5.3 heads that are popular for swapping on LS1's. They have a smaller combustion chamber that bumps compression. But the LS6 heads do the same thing as well, from 10:1 to 10.5:1 if they are not milled.

I haven't seen the exhaust ports on the 5.3 heads, but I do know the 243 LS6 heads have the "D" shaped exhaust port which helps the short turn radius, with a wider floor. This improves the I/E ratio numbers substantially and gives LS6 heads a slight advantage over other LS1 heads. It's up to you and what you want to spend.

I personally would buy a set from a reputable shop that are new and ready to go.
Buying used presents several problems. Hard to tell what you have until you spend some money at the machine shop. At a minimum I would say new guides are a must, possibly new valves even if it has used valves with the heads. Seat work possibly, a valve job a must, new springs and seals will be required anyway regardless of what you do. Possibly need milling if they aren't flat or have any imperfections on the head gasket sealing surface. Some people aren't too gentle when tossing heads around the garage and they do get nicked.
I could go on and on, but the cost to repair even a nice used set could be another $500 on top of your purchase price, and could easily go to $700 or more if they need more attention.
So unless you are absolutely sure about the used heads you are buying, I'd lean towards a new or remanufactured set ready to go. In the end the cost is just about the same.

I bought LS6 heads (243's) years ago from an 02 Z06 vette that had 30,000 miles on them. I paid $250 for them. They are complete with the sodium filled exhaust valves and hollow intakes. They look nice enough and probably would be okay to just slap on the car. But I won't do it. At the very least I'll send them off to be checked for guide clearance, flatness, cracks, get a valve job done and replace the springs and seals. I'll bet I will stick another $5-600 in them easily. So they just sit on the shelf. See what I mean??

**98maro** · 09-10-2010, 11:24 AM

I see what you mean.
And like you said people dnt take care of stuff.
Who knows if they just sellin them for a reason or something. And just by lookin at them will be hard to tell by just looking at them.
And new is always better you pay more but you get the best.
And how much is usually to port out the heads and check everything is fine?
I have a friend he took some aftermarket heads to the shop and just to check everithin was fine he paid 200.

**Firebirdjones** · 09-10-2010, 11:39 AM

That's about right for checking everything. You figure that's a minimal you'll spend checking things unless you are brave and just stick them on.

If everything checks okay and they can be used as is, it's money well spent, and you saved some coin from buying new heads.
It just very seldom works out that way with used heads however. Usually there is something that needs to be done. If you know who you are buying from, can see the heads in person before plunking money down, then it could be a reasonable way to go.

Just wanted to make you aware. I hate to see people jump in with both feet and find out your upside down in it. Kinda leaves a sour taste.

Porting varies in price by alot. Very few hand porters out there anymore. Technoligy has taken over in the form of 5 axis CNC machines. They turn them out in batches with more consistency and less time. But it's costly.
I learned from being in and around machine shops, with some old school engine builders who still did alot of this by hand. There are also some very good books on the subject. Not something I'd recommend a novice dive into, but I'll give ya a hint. "Short turn radius" is where you'll find most of your gains just behind the valves.

If you really want ported heads, and don't know anyone that will do it reasonably (usually reasonable doesn't always mean a good job) Then I'd just spring for a fresh set from a vendor that has had some form of CNC porting done. Probably money well spent.