i dont' think there is a ton to gain from just milling the heads. the stock compression is fairly high, i think just over 10:1. which means it could get harder to tune on pump gas.

not to mention, if he plans to run a big cam to make his 400 or 450rwhp goals, the lift on the valves will be pretty high. and milling the heads will cause possible piston to valve clearance issues.

most of the bigger cams run near or just over .600" lift, and i think max on stock heads is just over .610" lift.

 

PTV clearance has more to do with valve events than the actual lift.

It's not likely that he will make 450 rwhp on a set of OEM LS1 heads ported, milled or otherwise. To realistically have a shot he will probably have to go with set of AFR or maybe the new Edlebrocks.

 

I've seen an LS1 make 460+ WHP on ported LS1 heads and an RPM 4 cam IIRC.

 

The AFR heads are great. I've researched them a lot. hey They the same port design as the stockers, but they flow like crazy! The Stock replacement 205cc heads would yield about 30+hp. W/ a cam, upwards of about 70+hp...

Like teke said, I wouldn't get too crazy w/ the idea of milling the heads. Just get them P+P'd, or get some good aftermarket, stock chamber size heads. 225cc heads would be good for blown applications.

 

I know milling heads won't take you to 450hp, I was just wondering how much there is to gain there if you mill them just a smidge.

 

The compression ratio is high enough as it is. If you are so inclined to do something to the stock heads....have them ported and polished..

Like TEKE said once you up that compression ratio more than what it is, it will be difficult to tune and mannage on pump gas. You will also be putting yourself at more of a risk of detionation.

Seriously. All I really have is a headers back exhaust w/ cats and a lid... That's all that really matters. Oh, and I bought a P+P'd TB, w/ some free mods also. That netted me 336/346 RWHP&TQ, w/ a good LS1 Edit. I asked the guy who tuned my car about cam recomends, he said that the FM14 cam would give me well over 400 RWHP. So For all of us w/ the LS1 or even an LT1 Too, 450HP is w/in a reasonable reach. Just keep reading up here and you'll figure out what route you want to take.

(Subsiquently, they have an article in one of the latest GMHTP Mag, under the two stage 300hp Nitrous shot on the LSX intake. East Side Performance Tuned my car.) -Not an add.....

 

i would say some afr 205's, large cam, LT's, ORY you should be in the 440-460 range at that point.

 

450 Flywheel = cam.
450 Rwhp = heads/cam.



Mike

 

450whp is a goal of mine as well with h/c package, I've decided on the prc 5.3l stg2 w/ TSP torquer v2, 90/90 and QTP's w/ HVMC.

 

All LS1 cars need a lid and a catback. Is a lid included in your "SLP mods"? It's less than $100, worth 10-ish horsepower in stock form. As you do more mods, your stock intake will hurt you more and more. Plus, it looks much better than stock.

A Moser 4-channel 12-bolt with posi will run you less than $2500 if you can install it yourself. Beyond 400 rwhp and you can expect to break the stock 10 bolt in a hurry. The guys here tell you that you don't need a new one until the stock one breaks, and they're right, but at the power levels you're talking about, you might as well plan on it breaking.

Get that, a set of sticky tires, and a lot of practice driving with them. You'll run an easy mid 12 if you launch right, and probably better. Launching like that, your clutch isn't going to last. Plan on another few hundred.

At this point you've spent $3000-$4000, depending on your choice of wheels, tires, and clutch. Not much left in your budget. You can squeeze in a heads/cam package for $2000. Again, plan on doing the work yourself.

I think you should consider a nice wet nitrous setup. You'll spend less money and end up with more power and a more streetable. Plus, you'll have NAAAAAWWWWWZZZZZ!

-Jake

 

I'd honestly go with some Advanced Induction ported LS1/LS6 heads and a Futral Motorsports cam, the 90/90 and a set of Kooks like I have.

Mike