im not sure i know what is going on with the heads situation. I hear on the boards that guys are throwing the smaller heads on their cars and making alot of power. Can this be done? i see you can buy a used set on ebay for like 300 bucks. I would assume that you would also have to have them ported and polished or whatever, but this would be cheaper than buying new patriot heads or whatever im sure. So what is the lowdown on having a lower cost set of heads that can make good power with the cam i have?

 

The 5.3s are good because they have a smaller combustion chamber and allow more compression with all factors being the same. You can mill the bigger chamber heads down to get a smaller chamber, but it's obviously not reversable and you'll have more PtV clearance issues. I'd only use them if I was on a budget and getting them ported/polished is a MUST. The LS6 head also has a smaller combustion chamber than the LS1 head, but is worlds beyond both the LS1 and 5.3L heads in terms of making power.

Mike

 

I figured you would hit me up Kraest!!! So what would you suggest? Say this was you on a really short budget, whatever it took to have a different set of heads that was making alot more power? I want to push this baby up the the 450 mark or so.

 

check out the ported LS6 heads from TSP....i think they are still going for $900

not sure what the intake runner volumes are on them, but you should be able to make some good peak numbers with those heads.

there is no cut and dry answer when it comes to heads. unfortunately

 

I don't know how big of a budget you're on, but the LS1 Dart heads are relatively inexpensive at under $1500 assembled for the pair.

Remember that whatever you spend, you're going to need around $400 extra for new springs, retainers, pushrods, etc.

My buddy just made 451/423 in his Vette with box-stock 205cc Darts through the LS6 intake manifold with the stock bottom-end.

If you don't want to go that route, you might be able to find a set of used LS6 heads on the internet to use as a core for a set of Advanced Induction-ported assembled LS6 heads.

Mike

 

speaking of heads...


What do you guys all think of that Speedinc. "Top Engine Package"

-Patriot LS6 Style Stage 2 heads $1699.99
-Any grind Comp Cam
-GM MLS head gaskets
-head bolts
-comp pushrods
-crank bolt & seal

1- Are those patriot heads Good at all?
(A good buddy of mine says patriot heads are constructed poorly and that it'd be waste, better to go with AFR or Dart heads)

2-Anyone on here had any (good or bad) experience with patriot heads before?

3- To me this seems like an awesome deal, for all your getting, i mean all you'd need to get after this is some springs, retainers, timing set and lifters.But what do you all think is this a good deal?

 

depending on the flow of th heads...it is a pretty good deal.

i'd be willing to bet the heads come with some kind of upgraded spring. probably something like the comp 918s which are good for a little over .600" lift.

patriot had some issues with heads a while ago, but from all i've seen recently those issues have been resolved. and i think they just port stock heads...so it's issues with the port work...not the "construction" of th heads.

 

Budget heads build budget power.

If there's one thing you should NEVER be cheap on, it would be your heads. Darts are extremely affordable and make excellent power.

If you're serious about budget heads, I have assembled (PRC springs that are good for over .620 lift and titanium retainers) LS1 241 casting heads I'd sell for $400 shipped - They are being used as paperweights right now . You could send them to a reputable porter (Advanced Induction) and get them seriously ported for extremely cheap overall.

Mike