Wender

I was quoted around $1600 to install heads and cams from an LS6 on my LS1, included are all fluids, filters and gaskets related, hardware, and tuning.
On top of that I'd have to pay for the head and cam which I'm getting from a friend so I'd say overall around $2,000.

Does anyone have this set up? is it worth it? What type of gains would i be getting?

thank you.

Wild Willy

I can't say if it is "worth it" for you, but on my '01 LS1, I swapped in the LS6 cam and valve springs. Already have the LS6 intake, as do all 2001-2002 LS1's- stock exhaust manifolds, with an SLP Y-pipe and Borla cat-back, and an SLP lid. Dyno'd 332 HP and 346 TQ- the LS6 heads have to be worth what, maybe another 30 or 40 HP?

Did you check to see if you have the LS6 block? Something like a quarter of the LS1's sold in '01 and '02 used the LS6 block- not worth much more in HP, different casting numbers. Do a search on it.

Orr89rocz

Yep depends on what you consider worth it. With supporting bolt ons, LS6's have been known to hit very high 300s whp. Thats a great gain over LS1 stuff. Most LS1's with a stick will get up near 350whp with the bolt ons and tune. 30-50whp gain in heads/mild cam is not to shabby. It will drive like stock/sound stock and run very hard

whitdog54

some 243 heads are worth 20-30ponies atleast. as far as cam, why even take the time to just use a stock upgrade. Go aftermarket for the cam. theres cam only cars putting down 390+ while being extremely tame on the street

WhiteHawk

I don't see that as a very good deal. Is that a dealership quoting labor?

-Geoff

MeanGreen97Z

That's crazy high for install. You can piece that together for cheaper. I spent $400 for install of heads and cam.

SSCamaro99_3

I bet on 405 fwhp....

Orr89rocz

Thats install and all fluids/gaskets and Tuning...which wont be much to do but most shops seem to charge 400-500 for dyno tuning so with that factored in, its not terrible but does seem alittle higher depending on what parts they are using. I think some texas shops i've visited wanted 2000 for cam swap but that includes cam/pushrods/gaskets/tuning and tuning was 450-500. So you figure install for cam only was 600-ish.

raulz28

LS6 heads yes but I would go with a different cam and supporting valvetrain.

whitdog54

That's a good deal if the tune is included

bluz28

I agree, that's way too much for the install; even if they used all ARP hardware!

I'd also at least go with a larger cam, something like a 212/218 with a 114lsa.

DANOZ28

are the ls6 heads stock or ported? mine are stage 1 w ls6 springs good to 570 valve lift. i would consider a slightly larger cam. the ls6 idles / drives smooth but you cant tell i have a cam. i was disappointed in my dyno #'s. think about a tr224 or my next choice would be 565 lift ,224/228 dur. 114 lsa. a stock 2002 ls6 is 551 lift 206?intake 218 exh dur on a 117 lsa. cheers!

stang_kllr

the 243 heads are definatly worth it. a nice port job on these heads and you can make series power with the right cam. i dont know too much about that cam. but paying 1600 for instal is a buttload IMO. get a little set of tools, rent a torque wrench and do the instal yourself. its pretty easy. you can check out a write up from ls1tech and learn how to do it and check the torque specs on one of these stickies. you dont even have to pull the motor. save that money for more upgrades.