best head combo with stock bottom end

[rich2342]

93 Octane. I am wondering if the current cam will benefit much from those heads, otherwise, forgo the heads and upgrade the cam but for some reason my builder seems hesitant to swap the cam out after installing last spring.

[sixty9fordkiller]

what are your goals with the car?

[rich2342]

Originally Posted by sixty9fordkiller

what are your goals with the car?

Summer Daily driver, street pulls. I want a good balance of power and handling if I can manage to get to do any roadcourse work. Really, though more power than what my current cam makes, but want the same great torque curve and characteristics.



I am realigning expectations for 480whp. Which I think I would be happy with, just don't want crappy manners.


current cam makes 447/440 on a dynojet. Is is possible to add 30whp to that? or swap to SS3 and some ancillaries.

[sixty9fordkiller]

is your car auto or manual?

[rich2342]

M6
3.91's
LTH
CAI
Cam

[sixty9fordkiller]

the SS3 will definitely get you into the power range (and most importantly powerband) that you're looking for.


If it was my car, i would get an underdrive pulley and also get the stock LS3 manifold rod modded and ported. The rod mod is more important than the porting is but id do both either way. SS3 plus underdrive pulley and rod modded and ported manifold is defintely going to meet your power level expectations.......EASILY!!!!

Unless you're trying to get into the max effort NA game, you really dont need any headwork. If you want to get into the mid 500whp range, then heads will be your next item.

[rich2342]

Interestingly enough, I bought an RCR style ls3 manifold that was ported w rods. With the small cam it made 4hp and 5wtq but from 4k to 6400rpm. Only problem was it whistled on the dyno and I had it removed. I think it differs slightly from GPI's version.

I do think the ss3 would be a good choice. I just need my builder to agree.

[sixty9fordkiller]

Originally Posted by rich2342

Interestingly enough, I bought an RCR style ls3 manifold that was ported w rods. With the small cam it made 4hp and 5wtq but from 4k to 6400rpm. Only problem was it whistled on the dyno and I had it removed. I think it differs slightly from GPI's version.

I do think the ss3 would be a good choice. I just need my builder to agree.

Whistled? As in you had a vacuum leak?

The guys in my circle have been using the rick crawford rod mod and ported ls3 manifold for years. No issues. First i hear of such issues.

But, an SS3 with a rod mod (rod mod and ported) stock ls3 manifold and an underdrive pulley will easily get you 480rwhp on an LS3.

[rich2342]

It was described more as humming. The builder installed reinstalled checked for vaccum leaks and it persisted. Guys in the G8 or SS sedan board mentioned to. I think its turbulance from the rod inserts.

Still made power and torque everywhere, just out of caution removed it.

Havent seen that from the GPI version.

Seems the ss3 should get me there, just not many results to see as most select the ss4.

[sixty9fordkiller]

Originally Posted by rich2342

It was described more as humming. The builder installed reinstalled checked for vaccum leaks and it persisted. Guys in the G8 or SS sedan board mentioned to. I think its turbulance from the rod inserts.

Still made power and torque everywhere, just out of caution removed it.

Havent seen that from the GPI version.

Seems the ss3 should get me there, just not many results to see as most select the ss4.

The SS4 is as stout as it gets without fly cutting. Its gonna move the rpm band higher up and will react much better to increased compression and and rpm range into the mid/upper 7s.

If you're planning on staying in the 6K range and not go into the 7s, there's really no point of going with an SS4. The SS3 in my opinion will be the better cam.

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Originally Posted by sixty9fordkiller

The SS4 is as stout as it gets without fly cutting. Its gonna move the rpm band higher up and will react much better to increased compression and and rpm range into the mid/upper 7s.

If you're planning on staying in the 6K range and not go into the 7s, there's really no point of going with an SS4. The SS3 in my opinion will be the better cam.

Totally concur with everything sixty9fordkiller has said so far. And he IS a trust worthy member.

[Modernmusclecar]

Frankenstein Stage 2 ported heads.
https://www.camaro5.com/forums/attac...1&d=1643814603

[RS/SS '10]

Don't think anyone has mentioned this, if your LS3 has the round exhaust ports, and you change to LS7 heads, with the D exhaust ports. If you have headers for the round ports, you will be down at your friendly neighborhood header store purchasing yourself new headers. Personally I am not going to the end of the line to purchase new Kook long tubes with green cats, and ceramic coating.

I am not a mechanic, don't want to a mechanic, but I can read. I have seen a lot of builds on this site where people buy heads and intakes, thousands of $$$$. When they put up dyno numbers I am making more rwhp or within 3-4 HP of their builds with stock heads, intake, and throttle body. Go figure

[KnoxSS1LE]

Originally Posted by Modernmusclecar

Frankenstein Stage 2 ported heads.
https://www.camaro5.com/forums/attac...1&d=1643814603

I am another Frankenstein fan!!! I have Frankenstein M311 heads on my car. Absolute works of art. Really sucks they are buried in the engine bay. The port work is next level. Completely stuffed with awesome valves and dual valve springs. Definitely worth looking at them