Stock heads

**98maro** · 04-07-2011, 01:28 AM

Hello everyone.
It's time for me to start buying parts for my engine.
I'll be buying an LS6 block and start from zero.

I want to knw what heads are good or what's the casting number on GM heads.
For example. 243s those are from ls6 engines.
But what's the casting number on 5.3 6.0 motors and stuff.
If some can help me out with that around how much they usually cost.
Thanks

**Johnstonj2005** · 04-07-2011, 04:51 AM

For heads I would talk to Brett at Landspeed development. He can direct you in the right way for your app, whether it's tsp heads or trickflow. Just my $0.02 though

**Spaz** · 04-07-2011, 05:09 AM

why a LS6 block??? very few differences over you LS1... shoot some a PM to our sponsors with your HP goal and price range and i'm sure they send back some options for you...

**98maro** · 04-07-2011, 02:28 PM

Thanks for the info guys.

I really want some aftermarket heads but I can't afford them.
I have to rebuild or buy another engine.
So I want to start with a fresh block.
I Dnt want an ls1 block. I was thinking on getting ls2 or ls6 block. Or what u guys recommend?

My planes are 383 striker kit ls2/ls6 block. Ported heads roller rockers, 224/228 cam or a little bigger. LTs ls6 intake. And idk what else to reach over 400 hp.

**Firebirdjones** · 04-07-2011, 03:39 PM

Buying new heads, usually CNC ported, most of the time you'll come out ahead spending only slightly more than trying to refurbish a used set.

Generally used heads will need guides, possibly valves depending on wear. Seats may be okay but a valve job at a minimum. Then springs, seals, keepers, retainers. They may need milled as well.

By the time you're done, you can spend anywhere from $600 to $1,000 depending where you go,,,and they still aren't ported.

Better off buying some LS6 CNC ported heads fresh and ready to go from places like Texas Speed. I see them for $1200-$1300. That's hard to beat for the money.

You want great heads, then you'll spend $2,000 on up for ETP, TEA, AFR, Trickflow etc...

In the end, since you are doing a 383 stroker, (which isn't cheap either) it would be best not to skimp on heads and do at least a fresh set of CNC'd LS6's from Texas Speed.

But since you are on a budget and only looking for 400 HP,,,,it sounds like another perfect candidate for an LS6 crate motor to me.

**Jay37** · 04-07-2011, 05:06 PM

243-z06 the 02 and laters have sodium filled valves to make them lighter and are possily the best production cathederal head
241-ls1
I have a set of 862's off of a 5.3, I know there are some other 5.3 castings too. The set I picked up have 200cc runners, and are in great shape, doesn't need a valve job or anything to support 400hp, the 5.3 heads are a great bet if your on a budget in my opinion. I know in ga. were I am I can pick them up all day for 200bucks.
the 6.0 heads are good but have larger combustion chambers, and the early year ones were iron, I don't know the numbers. maybe some one knows them and will pipe in.

Just be careful when buying used stuff. Make sure you know what your looking for, and the right prices. It's like gambing but you control the odds.

**98maro** · 04-08-2011, 08:30 AM

That case I should look at the Texas speed $1200 for heads shouldn't be that bad. That way I make sure the heads are ready to bolt on. And not deal with any issues in the future.

U mean if I just get a ls6 motor and swap it for my ls1 I should be able to reach the 400hp ? That could be a good idea. And I just run a bigger cam on it.

Other thing I was thinking just get my stock heads and get them ported and if it's possible put the valves and springs from the ls6 heads. Idk much bout stuff.

I did some research on 383 striker and seems I'll be getting about 450hp which is not bad.

So for what I understood. 241s are better than 243s? Just the difference is the valves and springs?

**Firebirdjones** · 04-08-2011, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by 98maro

That case I should look at the Texas speed $1200 for heads shouldn't be that bad. That way I make sure the heads are ready to bolt on. And not deal with any issues in the future.

U mean if I just get a ls6 motor and swap it for my ls1 I should be able to reach the 400hp ? That could be a good idea. And I just run a bigger cam on it.

Other thing I was thinking just get my stock heads and get them ported and if it's possible put the valves and springs from the ls6 heads. Idk much bout stuff.

I did some research on 383 striker and seems I'll be getting about 450hp which is not bad.

So for what I understood. 241s are better than 243s? Just the difference is the valves and springs?

Yes the heads purchased and ready to go from Texas Speed are priced reasonable, and would be a bolt on trouble free way to go.

Yes the LS6 crate motors have been making roughly 400 rwhp out of the box. Adding a cam would be even better. Hard to beat little package for the money.

It's the other way around,,,the 243's are a better head to start with. If you find 243's from a Z06,,,,they are the only 243's that would have hollow stem intake valves and sodium filled exhaust valves. All the other production 243's just got the standard heavier valvetrains.
243 castings are good to start with though no matter what car they come from, because they have larger intake and exhaust runners by about 10cc and flow roughly 20-25cfm over an LS1 head, not to mention a redesigned combustion chamber that promotes better mixture, and bumps the compression another 1/2 point.

**98maro** · 04-08-2011, 05:52 PM

Thanks for the good info firebirjones.

Right now I'm thinking I should get an ls6 ready to go. I originally was thinking to get a stroker kit. But what I understand ls6 is my best option and ready to go.
A cam should make it better and I'm happy.
What could be a decent street cam?
No worries about the emissions.

A while ago a friend of mine told me some guy was selling an ls6 for $1000 I dont know what the mileage was. But the price wasn't bad at all.

What could be a reasonable price for a used ls6?

Thanks alot for the help

**Firebirdjones** · 04-08-2011, 07:35 PM

I've never really seen any used LS6's on the market, but then again I haven't been looking either. So I can't honestly give you a ball park price range.

The LS6 crate engines from crateenginedepot was selling new ones for $3400-$3600 last time I checked.

For a cam, it depends on what you intend to do with the car and what you consider too aggressive.
I personally would say anything with duration around the 228-230 range at .050 would make a nice street cam that I could easily live with daily. For a fun weekend car I'd go even bigger.

**98maro** · 04-08-2011, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

I've never really seen any used LS6's on the market, but then again I haven't been looking either. So I can't honestly give you a ball park price range.

The LS6 crate engines from crateenginedepot was selling new ones for $3400-$3600 last time I checked.

For a cam, it depends on what you intend to do with the car and what you consider too aggressive.
I personally would say anything with duration around the 228-230 range at .050 would make a nice street cam that I could easily live with daily. For a fun weekend car I'd go even bigger.

actually that was the first ls6 motor i heard is for sale,, i see many ls1 and ls3s,
ill look around for new motors and see waht i can find... i was thinkin on 22/228 or the one u said,, my car is gonna be a weekend car but now is my daily drives because is the best on gas mileage,,lol