best head combo with stock bottom end

[b20]

so many options but im debating using cathedral port heads like trickflows to have more piston to valve clearance

whats your suggestions also I will be milling them to up the compression as much as possible

[zz430camaro]

Use an aftermarket head with 11 or 12 degree valve angle. I would stay with the rectangular port LS3, what kind of cam are you thinking of?

Trick flow 255 is a good head, most aftermarkets are good but I would suggest inspecting the valve jobs before putting them on.

[WHAMMO]

Custom is kewl for valve clearance and big torque with better velocity in thr port design. Say like Mast motorsport, PRC, AFR, etc.

Ported stockers are really good; FED, TEA, GPI are smong my favorite shop to have it done.

Going cathedral would negate the benefits of running a bigger cam. Its a big no imo. So many option for ls3 manifolds and huge big flow numbers make power...youre going in the wrong direction for sure.

[Dylan1214]

https://gwatneyperformance.com/produ...d-cam-package/

[DSMer1]

I just bought some SPS haymaker heads. Not a lot of info on them but they look promising. I've called Gavin several times with questions and he has been awesome to deal with. I bought them from Thompson Motorsports. I believe Gavin sells them direct or through a vendor. Thompson put them into a package for me.
They are 11 degree valve angle, .750" deck, 4 or 6 bolt and some really good claimed flow numbers. They look like a sweet head for a 4" bore
https://www.spsheads.com/shop

[b20]

Originally Posted by zz430camaro

Use an aftermarket head with 11 or 12 degree valve angle. I would stay with the rectangular port LS3, what kind of cam are you thinking of?

Trick flow 255 is a good head, most aftermarkets are good but I would suggest inspecting the valve jobs before putting them on.

I have a btr stage 3 in the motor now.
o am trying to get more power in the middle and up top without spinning it over like 6800-7000
also would like to max out compression I will be running e85 so ill have enough octane
have not put much thought into intakes

[b20]

Originally Posted by Dylan1214

https://gwatneyperformance.com/produ...d-cam-package/

what's your short block specs I just noticed ls7 heads

[zz430camaro]

There are many companies like GPI, Mast and Texas Speed that make a "small bore" LS7 style head that you can use on a LS3 engine. So you get the raised runner, shallow valve angle and LS7 valve train on a LS3. You have to use an LS7 intake manifold with these heads too.

The great thing about picking heads is there are not really any bad options.

Mast Motorsports makes really nice heads but they are expensive.

[ZEN357]

I'd go with an Edelbrock setup.

[racesloth]

WCCH Brodix BR3 (the small bore LS7 head for and LS3) with an LS7 intake and a healthy cam. You would need rear gears and a torque convertor if auto.

When I forge mine for FI will definately be moving to LS7 type set up...

[sixty9fordkiller]

Originally Posted by b20

I have a btr stage 3 in the motor now.
o am trying to get more power in the middle and up top without spinning it over like 6800-7000
also would like to max out compression I will be running e85 so ill have enough octane
have not put much thought into intakes

the btr stage 3 is a good cam.

if you're at stock cubic inch and are not going to spin it over 6800, the stock LS3 intake will be fine. Its almost unbeatable under 6800 rpms BUT, its gonna restrict the crap out of your heads. You will have spent the money just for the valve angles.

to max out compression and power you will have to go with 11/12/13 degree valve heads in order to have the additional PTV clearance after milling them in order to run the btr stage 3 or "bigger" cam. As zz430 and a couple others have mentioned, there are many aftermarket head choices for LS3s.

If you want to keep the power down low, go with the smaller runners like a TFS255

The bigger volume of the runners will make more power at higher rpms. Texas Speed PRC260, Mamo, GPI, AFR, MAST, Brodix, etc. etc.

And yes, you will benefit from E85 once you get past 11:1 SCR


My 2 cents, if you're gonna spend the money on some nice heads, spin that bitch. I've spun mine to 7200 and can testify that the motor wants to go more but the stock LS3 intake manifold is restricting the crap out of my of heads past 67ish and i know the motor can spin to 7500 easily

[sixty9fordkiller]

Originally Posted by racesloth

WCCH Brodix BR3 (the small bore LS7 head for and LS3) with an LS7 intake and a healthy cam. You would need rear gears and a torque convertor if auto.

When I forge mine for FI will definately be moving to LS7 type set up...

This!!!!

The only reason i didnt go with the "mini 7s" (as dave at wcch dubs them) was because of the additional cost of the LS7 rockers and intake manifold added to the cost. But yes, LS7 top end on LS3 is a beautiful thing!!!!

[Nighthawk89]

WCCH BR7-3 or I personally went with the Air flow research 260cc mongoose heads with the upgraded exhaust valves..

[sixty9fordkiller]

Originally Posted by Nighthawk89

I personally went with the Air flow research 260cc mongoose heads with the upgraded exhaust valves..

Thats the exact same setup i went with.......AND milled .030" FTW!