CNC Heads?

[WHAMMO]

Originally Posted by 1KillerSS

Speaking of milling the heads, what's the factors involved in determining how much you can mill them? I would assume cam specs, and piston cc would be the minimum to look at. What's the standard amount you can mill on a stock setup?


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It all depends on your cam size and LSA, on a stock SB. I think 231/236 112 is the max with .040 milled (dont quote me) with LS3 heads, something like that.

Exhaust isnt a problem for bigger duration. LS3 Intake valves are huge, hence you cant run big cams unlike LS2 LS1

[GTXgp]

Originally Posted by Firefighter

There was an LS3 head shoot out in Hotrod or Super Chevy a few years back and compared like 10 or 15 different heads ported and aftermarket castings. Google should bring it up.


Here I found it. The only problem is I think it should have been on a stock LS3 for more realistic numbers...

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/hrdp-...er-heads-test/

I completely agree, having some heavily modified, bored LS3 doesn't really tell you much about the heads. Also, they don't have the TrickFlow heads on the test.

Originally Posted by bkevind

What about TrickFlow package with headers? I am wondering how that would compare to ported LS3 heads? Or TF compared to others?

I am trying to figure out the same thing. I'm running an LSA with an LS9 cam and going in next week for a smaller pulley, E85, a few other goodies, and we decided to replace the head gaskets with LS9's as well. So, my brain went with.... if you are pulling the heads you might as well replace them.

From my original research, I was most interested in the SDPC LS9 heads. (http://sdparts.com/i-23422830-sdpc-s...-max-lift.html). They are based on the GMPP CNC LS9 heads, with upgrades like bronze valve guides, Ti intake valves, and sodium-filled exhaust valves... plus since they are for an LS9 they have reinforced webbing, thicker deck, and rotocast for stronger alloy. However, the price is $2,790.

DMS (who is doing the next phase in my build) is pushing me toward TrickFlow. They are willing to do the set for $2,499. For an aftermarket casting, it is appealing... but it seems like TF doesn't have some of the nicer components of the SDPC.... for example, the TF's just use regular SS valves which are not ideal for my application. To upgrade the valves would cost around $1k, which suddenly makes the TF less of a bargain.

Now I'm not so sure which one to go with....

[Firefighter]

Originally Posted by GTXgp

I completely agree, having some heavily modified, bored LS3 doesn't really tell you much about the heads. Also, they don't have the TrickFlow heads on the test.



I am trying to figure out the same thing. I'm running an LSA with an LS9 cam and going in next week for a smaller pulley, E85, a few other goodies, and we decided to replace the head gaskets with LS9's as well. So, my brain went with.... if you are pulling the heads you might as well replace them.

From my original research, I was most interested in the SDPC LS9 heads. (http://sdparts.com/i-23422830-sdpc-s...-max-lift.html). They are based on the GMPP CNC LS9 heads, with upgrades like bronze valve guides, Ti intake valves, and sodium-filled exhaust valves... plus since they are for an LS9 they have reinforced webbing, thicker deck, and rotocast for stronger alloy. However, the price is $2,790.

DMS (who is doing the next phase in my build) is pushing me toward TrickFlow. They are willing to do the set for $2,499. For an aftermarket casting, it is appealing... but it seems like TF doesn't have some of the nicer components of the SDPC.... for example, the TF's just use regular SS valves which are not ideal for my application. To upgrade the valves would cost around $1k, which suddenly makes the TF less of a bargain.

Now I'm not so sure which one to go with....

From what I've seen most people are saying to get the heads bare and put your own parts in them. The valves are heavy being SS and longer than stock LS3 pieces.

Maybe call Frankenstein and see what they recommend. I'm in arm chair racer mode at the moment. We had a few unexpected expenses so car parts are in hold.

I'm leaning towards going small bore LS7 right now with an MSD or FAST manifold since I'm staying N/A. I have time though.

[Bo White]

I like the hotrod magazine test. If a healthy LS build gets those gains off the heads they tested then you know your not going to gain any more than that with a lesser build.