VVT Cam .......... or ......... LS3 Conversion - Page 12 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Hesh · 03-17-2011, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PQ

Will they port the heads as well, or would I have to do that myself?

I read the sticky, but it's so looooong. lol

So the roller lifters obviously don't rotate like flat ones. I'm assuming it wouldn't be a problem? I mean, obviously not if they are making them, but just curious.

If you go with the Mast stage 3 they come with a set of their heads. So there would be no need to port your heads.

PQ · 03-17-2011, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hesh

If you go with the Mast stage 3 they come with a set of their heads. So there would be no need to port your heads.

I mean are their heads ported, or equivalent?

*mlee* · 03-17-2011, 03:51 PM

Heads are WAY too expensive for the minor gains... Just polish up your stockers and go with that... The only reason I did it was I got a smoking deal...

PQ · 03-17-2011, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlee

Heads are WAY too expensive for the minor gains... Just polish up your stockers and go with that... The only reason I did it was I got a smoking deal...

I figured that. I just wondered if they'd do it at a small cost.

Darth_Emma · 03-17-2011, 05:53 PM

The main reason I'm getting the heads ported on mine is because they have to come off the car to do other work this week anyway. So, I only had to pay for the porting service. There is no additional labor charge. It will likely add about 30 rwhp.

PQ · 03-17-2011, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth_Emma

The main reason I'm getting the heads ported on mine is because they have to come off the car to do other work this week anyway. So, I only had to pay for the porting service. There is no additional labor charge. It will likely add about 30 rwhp.

That's what I was kinda meaning. If I'd be swapping heads, it would make sense to do them at that time. But my headers may negate any extra eas of flow.

aet08 · 03-17-2011, 06:31 PM

i did LS3 conversion

FASST 1 · 03-17-2011, 07:21 PM

PQ, I have about the same situation as you and this was what I decided. I decided that I wanted to get rid of the AMF lifters because of the risk of a failure, therefore the heads had to come off. I wanted to get the most out of a blower cam so I decided to do the LS3 conversion. I was unsure about getting a TC. I spoke with New Era. They have a blower cam that "reportedly" will get you 65rwhp on the stock TC and like stock drivability. 65rwhp is pretty good for a blower cam even those that require a higher stall TC. I was going to port my heads since they were off, but the more I read the gain was only 30 hp, if lucky. Additionlly, some have reported a LOSS when porting the heads. I finally decided for about the same money I could get a TC. A higher stall TC has reportedly decreased 1/4 mile times by 0.5 seconds. That is a hell of a lot more than you will get with ported heads and maybe even the cam. Even with a higher stall TC I went with the New Era cam. This is an option if you want to do the TC later.

Supercharged SS · 03-17-2011, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlee

Heads are WAY too expensive for the minor gains... Just polish up your stockers and go with that... The only reason I did it was I got a smoking deal...

Ted told me the same exact thing. When we did the forged build we didn't have a budget and bought the best parts available but when it came to the heads the machinist had a CNC program that might have gained 15-20 for $800. We opted to stick with the stock heads. PQ, for your build the stockers will be good to go.

Hesh · 03-18-2011, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PQ

I mean are their heads ported, or equivalent?

They are 12 degree cnc'ed heads. Ive found the whole package for around $3500. Heads are expensive and everyone is right, its hard to justify the cost for about 25-30hp gains for heads. The Mast Stage 3 is said to get 125hp for head and cam package. The whole package also comes with the phase restrictor, ls-7 kit to replace the lifters, and pushrods. So you get the AFM delete, and keep the VVT.

Darth_Emma · 03-18-2011, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PQ

That's what I was kinda meaning. If I'd be swapping heads, it would make sense to do them at that time. But my headers may negate any extra eas of flow.

We're going to see what the boost is when my car is on the dyno. Not only might the ported heads reduce boost, but the cam can contribute to that as well. If my boost drops, then we'll drop the pulley size to 3.4" from the 3.6" pulley I currently have.

We have very similar builds, Randy. What my car does should be similar to yours. Watch my build thread over the next two weeks to see.

PQ · 03-18-2011, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FASST 1

PQ, I have about the same situation as you and this was what I decided. I decided that I wanted to get rid of the AMF lifters because of the risk of a failure, therefore the heads had to come off. I wanted to get the most out of a blower cam so I decided to do the LS3 conversion. I was unsure about getting a TC. I spoke with New Era. They have a blower cam that "reportedly" will get you 65rwhp on the stock TC and like stock drivability. 65rwhp is pretty good for a blower cam even those that require a higher stall TC. I was going to port my heads since they were off, but the more I read the gain was only 30 hp, if lucky. Additionlly, some have reported a LOSS when porting the heads. I finally decided for about the same money I could get a TC. A higher stall TC has reportedly decreased 1/4 mile times by 0.5 seconds. That is a hell of a lot more than you will get with ported heads and maybe even the cam. Even with a higher stall TC I went with the New Era cam. This is an option if you want to do the TC later.

This is actually what I'm thinking. I'll wait a bit more for more VVT info and experience then decide final. But I definitely want LS7 lifters.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supercharged SS

Ted told me the same exact thing. When we did the forged build we didn't have a budget and bought the best parts available but when it came to the heads the machinist had a CNC program that might have gained 15-20 for $800. We opted to stick with the stock heads. PQ, for your build the stockers will be good to go.

I believe you're right. And anyway, my borla headers aren't conducive to gain with ported heads I don't think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hesh

They are 12 degree cnc'ed heads. Ive found the whole package for around $3500. Heads are expensive and everyone is right, its hard to justify the cost for about 25-30hp gains for heads. The Mast Stage 3 is said to get 125hp for head and cam package. The whole package also comes with the phase restrictor, ls-7 kit to replace the lifters, and pushrods. So you get the AFM delete, and keep the VVT.

Sound like I'm narrowing it down. It's gonna come down to simple VVT and modest gains, or LS3 and a little more agressive but choppy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth_Emma

We're going to see what the boost is when my car is on the dyno. Not only might the ported heads reduce boost, but the cam can contribute to that as well. If my boost drops, then we'll drop the pulley size to 3.4" from the 3.6" pulley I currently have.

We have very similar builds, Randy. What my car does should be similar to yours. Watch my build thread over the next two weeks to see.

Are you dynoing the car with your 22s?

If so, I'll be looking forward to the base dyno result to compare to your previous one.

zebra · 03-18-2011, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PQ

...Are you dynoing the car with your 22s?

If so, I'll be looking forward to the base dyno result to compare to your previous one.

i thought she sold them wheels

Darth_Emma · 03-18-2011, 03:18 PM

I still have the 22s. I think they are planning to put those back on the car as the last thing they do. (After the tuning is done too).

I might ask them to do one last pull after the 22s go on as the very very last thing they do just to see how they affect hp.

03-17-2011, 03:51 PM	#157
mlee CamaroFans.com Drives: ZLE & ZR2 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 37,497 View My Garage	Heads are WAY too expensive for the minor gains... Just polish up your stockers and go with that... The only reason I did it was I got a smoking deal... __________________

03-17-2011, 07:21 PM	#162
FASST 1 Drives: Black 1SS Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 442	PQ, I have about the same situation as you and this was what I decided. I decided that I wanted to get rid of the AMF lifters because of the risk of a failure, therefore the heads had to come off. I wanted to get the most out of a blower cam so I decided to do the LS3 conversion. I was unsure about getting a TC. I spoke with New Era. They have a blower cam that "reportedly" will get you 65rwhp on the stock TC and like stock drivability. 65rwhp is pretty good for a blower cam even those that require a higher stall TC. I was going to port my heads since they were off, but the more I read the gain was only 30 hp, if lucky. Additionlly, some have reported a LOSS when porting the heads. I finally decided for about the same money I could get a TC. A higher stall TC has reportedly decreased 1/4 mile times by 0.5 seconds. That is a hell of a lot more than you will get with ported heads and maybe even the cam. Even with a higher stall TC I went with the New Era cam. This is an option if you want to do the TC later. __________________

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03-17-2011, 05:53 PM	#159
Darth_Emma Psssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhh! Drives: under contruction Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Marysville, Ohio Posts: 12,996 View My Garage	The main reason I'm getting the heads ported on mine is because they have to come off the car to do other work this week anyway. So, I only had to pay for the porting service. There is no additional labor charge. It will likely add about 30 rwhp.

03-17-2011, 06:31 PM	#161
aet08 Drives: c Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: c Posts: 627	i did LS3 conversion

03-18-2011, 03:18 PM	#168
Darth_Emma Psssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhh! Drives: under contruction Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Marysville, Ohio Posts: 12,996 View My Garage	I still have the 22s. I think they are planning to put those back on the car as the last thing they do. (After the tuning is done too). I might ask them to do one last pull after the 22s go on as the very very last thing they do just to see how they affect hp.