Need heads! Which set makes the most power?

**Roastem** · 03-24-2006, 08:12 AM

OK fellas, I have decided I will not be waiting till next year for the heads, I want it NOW! Problem is, there are many choices.

AFR 205cc
Edelbrock
Trick Flow
DART
LS1 ported & polished
LS6 ported & polished

Which one of these heads would be best for my combo? (see sig) Oh yeah, and money is an object. (when is it not)

**Liquifire** · 03-25-2006, 02:06 AM

AFR are the best but being that money is an object I would go with Patriot.

**Liquifire** · 03-25-2006, 02:10 AM

what cam do you have? I am assuming you have a stock block?

**hammertime** · 03-25-2006, 06:07 AM

Another vote for Patriot - I'd run LS6 style heads with stock size combustion chambers with your cam.

Will AFR's make more power? Yes.

Will they make twice as much power, given they cost twice as much? Probably not.

**Roastem** · 03-27-2006, 04:19 AM

Originally Posted by hammertime

Another vote for Patriot - I'd run LS6 style heads with stock size combustion chambers with your cam.

Will AFR's make more power? Yes.

Will they make twice as much power, given they cost twice as much? Probably not.

I was leaning towards the P&P LS6 heads, too.

**onelife** · 03-27-2006, 06:36 AM

I have a set of brand new 5.3L GM castings with CNC Incorporated's port job ran through them if your interested?
Never used.

**Roastem** · 03-27-2006, 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by onelife

I have a set of brand new 5.3L GM castings with CNC Incorporated's port job ran through them if your interested?
Never used.

How are those different from LS6 heads? I am interested, depending on your price.

**onelife** · 03-27-2006, 01:01 PM

These heads are ported by CNC Inc., they will outflow any stock non-ported LS6 heads which also run around $1,200 new from any GMPerformance parts dealer.

Plus the combustion chambers are smaller (all 5.3 heads have them) so they will raise your compression without the hassle of milling your heads or shortening your deck height (which will cause problems).

CNC Inc used to charge $2,200 just for the CNC port job plus you supply your own heads to them, these castings are absolutely new, never been used.

I was going to installed them this June but my stock pressure plate and clutch gave up the ghost.I was saving up for ARP Head Studs, Cometic Head Gaskets, Comp Valve train, and Manley Valves. I already have a good cam in my stock block so I was just going to slap the heads on but now I have to buy a Spec Clutch and Flywheel. They aren't the cheapest heads but they are one of the best. Let me know if your still interested.

**ibanez7** · 03-27-2006, 01:39 PM

just because a specific heads might flow the best CFM doesnt mean it makes the most hp. Heads are just a cog in the complete machine.

Before spending cash on heads, decide what you performance goals and driving styles are.

If you only plan on doing heads and headers then yeah by the highest flowing heads, but if you plan on doing cam, turbo, nitrous etc, match the heads to the application for the most performance gain.

For ex: ET makes two great heads 215 and 225. 225 flow more, but you will get better gains with 215 for a nitrous build then you will with the 225.

buying huge claimed hp parts and sticking them all together doesnt make a fast car. buying parts that compliment eachother do! (for example, matching intake and exhaust cfm on both the cam and the heads)

also the brands you have listed are popular brands but there are many other great heads out there.
hence ET, RGR, etc....

**onelife** · 03-27-2006, 07:50 PM

These heads are proven street performers, the recommended cam for these heads on a stock bottom end is 224/228 duration with a .571"/.571" lift.

With all the necessary bolt ons, on an F-Body it will generate around 425HP and on a Y-Body it will around generate 450HP; respectively.

ibanez7, calm down, why are you so wound up? Aren't the ET and RGR expensive heads? I'm not saying cut corners but some people cannot afford an $8,000 setup when they would be satisfied with a $2,500 setup.

Yes, CFM head flows aren't the precise measurement in choosing a street head but what other numbers are you going to by besides port cc's in choosing a new design? There is a name for applying non-stock,modified, and unfamilar parts to your sports car; its called racing.

**Roastem** · 03-28-2006, 03:40 AM

2200 for a port job! GOTDAMN! I said..I said..GOTDAMN!!!!

Your price might be out of my spending range, but tell me anyway how much you want for those heads.

**ibanez7** · 03-28-2006, 06:51 AM

Originally Posted by onelife

These heads are proven street performers, the recommended cam for these heads on a stock bottom end is 224/228 duration with a .571"/.571" lift.

With all the necessary bolt ons, on an F-Body it will generate around 425HP and on a Y-Body it will around generate 450HP; respectively.

ibanez7, calm down, why are you so wound up? Aren't the ET and RGR expensive heads? I'm not saying cut corners but some people cannot afford an $8,000 setup when they would be satisfied with a $2,500 setup.

Yes, CFM head flows aren't the precise measurement in choosing a street head but what other numbers are you going to by besides port cc's in choosing a new design? There is a name for applying non-stock,modified, and unfamilar parts to your sports car; its called racing.

dude, i'm cool. I just dont believe in buying off the shelfs cams. You should always get a custom grind that compliments everything from the heads, driving style, to the rearend gearing.

too many people, buy parts based off of hp claims not realizing you should always buy parts that compliment. Also you should always build from the ground up.

your right a $2500 set up like speed inc, patriot head and custom grind cam package for $2200 is a great set up, and you can turn in some impressive numbers with reliability too!

**Demon_Speeding** · 03-28-2006, 10:41 AM

Check out the Texas Speed PRC 243 heads.

TSP/PRC LS6 heads

Compare their flow numbers to the AFRs.

I'm getting mine ordered pretty damn quick. I'm going to run those heads with an MS3 camshaft.

**Roastem** · 03-28-2006, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Demon_Speeding

Check out the Texas Speed PRC 243 heads.

TSP/PRC LS6 heads

Compare their flow numbers to the AFRs.

I'm getting mine ordered pretty damn quick. I'm going to run those heads with an MS3 camshaft.

Wonder what the price is with bare castings?

**onelife** · 03-28-2006, 11:21 AM

I need to sell my heads for $1,000, Roastem.

**Corona-Extra** · 03-28-2006, 11:42 AM

Another vote for Patriot

**TwistedSS** · 03-28-2006, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Liquifire

AFR are the best but being that money is an object I would go with Patriot.

+1

**Bring the Noise** · 03-31-2006, 10:31 PM

ET Performance Heads (carried at ls1speed.com or from SDPC2000.com)

They are a 11 degree heads with taller walls (so you don't need a valve cover spacer) and a thicker deck. You will need a longer push rod (like around 8in or more) due to the taller deck and change in valve angle.

But if money is no OBJECT then the ETP's are the way to go.

They also have a Baby LS7 head but you will need a bore of 4.00 or better (valve's will hit the walls on a 3.90 bore)....

If you want inexpensive (best bang for the buck) then it's going to be Patriot's LS6 Stage 2 or Stage 3 heads.

**Louie** · 04-02-2006, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by ibanez7

dude, i'm cool. I just dont believe in buying off the shelfs cams. You should always get a custom grind that compliments everything from the heads, driving style, to the rearend gearing.

too many people, buy parts based off of hp claims not realizing you should always buy parts that compliment. Also you should always build from the ground up.

your right a $2500 set up like speed inc, patriot head and custom grind cam package for $2200 is a great set up, and you can turn in some impressive numbers with reliability too!

All of the best numbers I've seen come from proven cams - MS3, T-Rex, F13, Torquer 2, etc. I have yet to see any stellar performing custom ground cams in 346.

I wouldn't take a gamble on getting a custom ground cam when you know for a fact that these proven cams perform time and time again.