I don't see the ported 5.3L heads making the same power as the AFRs.

Mike

 

Thats a bigger cam and more CR, so yes it might make the same or more power compared to the AFR F13 combo. You'd probably be better off with some ported LS6 heads w/stock sized valves with as much lift as an MS3 has.

I personally wouldn't use a cam that big, but my goals are not to be the fastest most radical LS1 out there. I just want a fun daily driver that handles well.

 

good thread

 

The TSP 5.3 heads with the MS3 or better yet MS4 will make a ton of power with the right compression and all the bolt-ons. My car (TSP 5.3s w/MS4) car makes more power through a very loose unlocked converter than many of the "AFR recipe" cars do through a 6 speed. For most people, IMO the AFR heads are NOT worth the extra $1000+

 

How about some numbers and what does it run down the track?

And there's something that most all aftermarket heads have that factory reworked heads will never have, thicker decks. If your heads cam combo is the end and you're never going to up the ante then saving on the reworked factory castings is great. But if you have any thoughts of upping the cylinder pressures significantly (and you don't want to push water or blow head gaskets) then the extra money spent up front will actaully cost you less in the long run.

 

It put down 420rwhp on a local Mustang dyno that's known to hurt feelings - through an unlocked converter, in 95 degree heat and my 18" wheels. I took it to a DynoJet on a bet with a coworker under the same conditions and put down 458rwhp, again converter unlocked. The torque is a little lazy down low (even with 11.7:1 compression), but with my setup I never see those RPMs at WOT. The car went 10.98 @ 123, naturally aspirated, and at full weight (3700lbs) 5 weeks ago. I'd like to back that up in some cooler weather this fall, but my local track told me not to come back due to lack of equipment, and now the trans has taken a dump

Yeah, thicker decks may be nice, but these same heads I'm running have seen 250+ shots reliably in other local mid 9 second cars.

Edit: And my setup is just BEGGING for a 90mm intake

 

Sweet deal, we have the twin to that Mustang dyno here in MI . Everyone cries about how bad the numbers are. Mine put down 400 rwhp on that dyno and I run the numbers in the sig at 3340lbs. race weight.

Yeah I guess anyone can get lucky or unlucky, a buddy of mine running a 200 shot on a heads cam car pushes water every time that he tries more spray.