Head/cam swap on 2002 SS

I know that several people have done head & cam swaps with the engine still in the car. I have the procedure off of ls1howto.com. I would like some actual opinions from those who have concurred this. I stand and look at my engine (half of it under the cowl) and it sure looks like an intimidating project just because of clearance issues... Those of you that have done it, would you do it again? Was it total hell, or not too bad once you get started?

I'm looking at a set of PRC Stage 1 LS6 heads and a comp camp, probably just one notch over the GM LS6 cam.

Thanks!

I got a friend who has changed his probally about 3 or 4 times now with the motor in the car he swears it isnt that bad. I guess if you have done it that many times plus he has done it to a few other cars also.

It's easier to do a head/cam install then just a cam install on a stock LS1 "IN CAR".

It's much easier to change the valvesprings out with the heads out of the car then in (IMO).

Don't waste your money on the PRC LS6 heads (IMO). Save up for a good set of heads (ET Performance, AFR).

You would be better off going Cam-Only then wasting a grand on those heads in my personal opinion.

Well originally I was just looking at a set of GM LS6 heads... they are 800-1100 depending on the chamber size, so I figured with the PRC I'd have basically the same thing but already ported. I'm not trying to go radical... I want it to be very drivable and a stock idle. I don't see spending 2k plus on a set of heads for what I'm trying to accomplish, but hey, that's why I'm asking!

Well originally I was just looking at a set of GM LS6 heads... they are 800-1100 depending on the chamber size, so I figured with the PRC I'd have basically the same thing but already ported. I'm not trying to go radical... I want it to be very drivable and a stock idle. I don't see spending 2k plus on a set of heads for what I'm trying to accomplish, but hey, that's why I'm asking!

Oh you'll get a gain from the 241 to the 243 heads. I'm just not sold on the PRC "budget" porting. I think you'd be much better off just getting a set of "pull-off" 243 heads if you can find them for $200-300 bucks...

15-20rwhp from 241 to 243 heads.

Oh you'll get a gain from the 241 to the 243 heads. I'm just not sold on the PRC "budget" porting. I think you'd be much better off just getting a set of "pull-off" 243 heads if you can find them for $200-300 bucks...

15-20rwhp from 241 to 243 heads.

I'd be all about a deal like that!

What about the Edelbrock RPM XT heads... #61949... I found a set of them brand new for $1500...

I'm just not sold on the PRC "budget" porting.

If you put them on a flowbench next to the ETP and AFRs you might be surprised. All the local guys who run the PRCs have strong dyno and track numbers, much unlike the other budget headed guys (Patriot) that just don't get it done. They are the best CNC ported stock castings available. And ETP heads on a 346 is an absolute waste.

The head/cam swap done in car looks intimidating, but really is fairly easy. Once you get past the the radiator removal and crank pulley, its cake. Just remember to take your time cleaning the block and head bolt holes.

Avoid Dart and Edelbrock heads. While they seem tempting as an aftermarket casting on the cheap, they need additional work to be on par with their competitors.

I believe that the RPM XT heads are a gm casting with Edelbrock's porting and valve job... That said, it's hard to justify the extra price between those and the PRC... other than the reputation of Edelbrock... This is getting more difficult the more I look. I have a feeling that either set I buy, I'll be very pleased with....

And ETP heads on a 346 is an absolute waste.


They are an excellent head. I would put them above the AFR205 and the TFS215.

Here's a 346 with ET215 heads and Ed's "Streetsweeper" cam (236/240); car put down 511rwhp. :)

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=648228&highlight=streetsweeper

As far as the PRC heads go; I guess if your totally stuck on "budget heads" it maybe ok, but if you browse around over at hardcorels1.com it there's some stories of virtually no gains from Z06 guys going from stock 243 heads to "budget ported 243s"... i'll see if I can find the thread...

I had a friend from work help me out with mine; he had done the h/c swap to his TransAm already and probably on a few other LS1 cars too. It took a full weekend but overall went pretty smooth with the engine still in the car. It was pretty easy for me to stand in the engine bay in front of the engine (with accessories, pullies, and radiator removed) to ease the strain on my back and knees from leaning over the car so long to tighten bolts. I'd do it again and one day plan to on an automatic tranny car as well. Go for it!

After dropping the engine out the bottom just once that's how I'd do a heads/cam.
I've done a couple in the car but I wouldn't do it that way again.