Heads, worth it??? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

dino2012ls3 · 06-16-2019, 06:22 PM

Wanna know what aftermarket head or just ported heads you guys are running in why?? And what rwhp?? I know our stock flow pretty good straight from the factory. Imo it looks like with the aftermarket head you can change the angle allowing better ptv clearance hence bigger cam options and also smaller combustion chambers so not so also increasing compression all gonna add up to more horsepower. Im asking cause it can be an expensive upgrade and want to start my head find now. So....

dino2012ls3 · 06-16-2019, 06:25 PM

That's increasing compression with smaller combustion chamber without affecting flow rates

christianchevell · 06-17-2019, 07:02 AM

Look to GPI and their max package. Other than that not the most gains and you wont get a bigger cam with stock flat top pistons with out fly cuts to make it worth it. Frankly claims of stock heads being ported making so much more power....not so much. Stock heads flow better than port bbc heads, you have to have the need for the flow increase with most its not that great a need...…...… So a small bore ls7 head flows a lot more changes the angle and then allows a actually milder cam that multiplies by the ratio of the rocker and also allows a better intake the airforce.. Just a couple thoughts. If you have to go stock ls3 heads use dickey scoggins cnc ported the price is right.

slickman · 06-17-2019, 07:42 AM

So the L99 heads will allow a bigger cam then a LS3 heads do to the valve cuts in the piston correct? Not sure thats a good thing or not.

62nalide · 06-17-2019, 09:40 AM

Depending on the budget ported stock heads 25-30whp gains, 10* valve angel and beefier cam 30-45whp gains etc...

Frankenstein released a budget friendly 11* LS3 head starting at $2200.00 assembled

Black_SS10 · 06-17-2019, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62nalide

Depending on the budget ported stock heads 25-30whp gains, 10* valve angel and beefier cam 30-45whp gains etc...

Frankenstein released a budget friendly 11* LS3 head starting at $2200.00 assembled

Is that for new heads or just a CNC and assembly job? I was just on the website and didn't see anything priced like that. Is it not on there yet?

KW Baraka · 06-17-2019, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dino2012ls3

Wanna know what aftermarket head or just ported heads you guys are running in why?? And what rwhp?? I know our stock flow pretty good straight from the factory. Imo it looks like with the aftermarket head you can change the angle allowing better ptv clearance hence bigger cam options and also smaller combustion chambers so not so also increasing compression all gonna add up to more horsepower. Im asking cause it can be an expensive upgrade and want to start my head find now. So....

I have a set of ported OEM heads from Texas Speed that I'm sellin'.

When they were on my car ('95 Impala SS), I dyno'ed at 473hp to the wheels....with a 229*/242* cam.

KW

weSS1LEy · 06-20-2019, 08:30 PM

My shop told me Lingenfelter ported heads are good for maybe 15-20 hp on an NA ls3. Not worth it to me.

Vegas Bound · 06-20-2019, 10:27 PM

Head is always worth it.

weSS1LEy · 06-21-2019, 12:49 AM

Haha tru dat! If a vendor could guarantee me a gain of up to 30 hp with aftermarket heads on my cammed setup then I would consider it for sure!

Bo White · 06-21-2019, 01:23 AM

The average gain on ported stock heads is 15-20 depending on average aftermarket cams. Ive seen better gains with aftermarket castings like PRC because of the better port design and smaller chambers for more compression without milling.

John_C · 06-21-2019, 03:50 AM

I did Trick Flow GenX 255's.

I did a lot of mods at the same time, so I don't know the rwhp gains from the TF heads alone.

Bo White · 06-21-2019, 04:33 AM

I gained 40rwhp going from BTR 3 cam and stock ported heads to TSP 4.2 and PRC 260s

weSS1LEy · 06-22-2019, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bo White

I gained 40rwhp going from BTR 3 cam and stock ported heads to TSP 4.2 and PRC 260s

What do you attribute that to? Say 10 from cam and 30 from heads?

06-16-2019, 06:22 PM	#1
dino2012ls3 Drives: 2012 ls3 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: humble Posts: 113	Heads, worth it??? Wanna know what aftermarket head or just ported heads you guys are running in why?? And what rwhp?? I know our stock flow pretty good straight from the factory. Imo it looks like with the aftermarket head you can change the angle allowing better ptv clearance hence bigger cam options and also smaller combustion chambers so not so also increasing compression all gonna add up to more horsepower. Im asking cause it can be an expensive upgrade and want to start my head find now. So....

06-17-2019, 07:02 AM	#3
christianchevell old school chevy rodder Drives: 2013 2SS/RS Manual,DM exhaust,CRT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,587 View My Garage	Look to GPI and their max package. Other than that not the most gains and you wont get a bigger cam with stock flat top pistons with out fly cuts to make it worth it. Frankly claims of stock heads being ported making so much more power....not so much. Stock heads flow better than port bbc heads, you have to have the need for the flow increase with most its not that great a need...…...… So a small bore ls7 head flows a lot more changes the angle and then allows a actually milder cam that multiplies by the ratio of the rocker and also allows a better intake the airforce.. Just a couple thoughts. If you have to go stock ls3 heads use dickey scoggins cnc ported the price is right. __________________ 2021 Wild Cherry ZL1 A10, Sunroof, Data, Carbon, Nav, RotoFab Dry CAI, Elite x2, Borla ATK, Driveshaft shop

06-17-2019, 07:42 AM	#4
slickman old school muscle car guy Drives: 2013 Camaro RS/SS 2SS Join Date: May 2019 Location: Myrtle Beach SC Posts: 83 View My Garage	So the L99 heads will allow a bigger cam then a LS3 heads do to the valve cuts in the piston correct? Not sure thats a good thing or not. __________________ K&N CAI, SOLO Axle back, Jannetty tune

06-17-2019, 09:40 AM	#5
62nalide Drives: 2013 SS Join Date: May 2013 Location: DFW Posts: 4,102	Depending on the budget ported stock heads 25-30whp gains, 10* valve angel and beefier cam 30-45whp gains etc... Frankenstein released a budget friendly 11* LS3 head starting at $2200.00 assembled __________________ https://frankensteined.net/ Martin@Frankensteined.net

06-20-2019, 08:30 PM	#8
weSS1LEy weSS1LEy Drives: 2015 camaro 2ss/rs/1le Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Kelowna Posts: 510	My shop told me Lingenfelter ported heads are good for maybe 15-20 hp on an NA ls3. Not worth it to me. __________________ Rotofab, arh no cats, atak, elite cc, 94 octane tune, Mobil 1, phastek scoop, custom cam 230/243 .621 .604 114+4, related cam kit stuff. 470/435 rwhp/rwtq

06-16-2019, 06:25 PM	#2
dino2012ls3 Drives: 2012 ls3 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: humble Posts: 113	That's increasing compression with smaller combustion chamber without affecting flow rates

06-20-2019, 10:27 PM	#9
Vegas Bound Account Suspended Drives: 2013 Sparkly Red One Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Hospitality State Posts: 2,558	Head is always worth it.

06-21-2019, 12:49 AM	#10
weSS1LEy weSS1LEy Drives: 2015 camaro 2ss/rs/1le Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Kelowna Posts: 510	Haha tru dat! If a vendor could guarantee me a gain of up to 30 hp with aftermarket heads on my cammed setup then I would consider it for sure! __________________ Rotofab, arh no cats, atak, elite cc, 94 octane tune, Mobil 1, phastek scoop, custom cam 230/243 .621 .604 114+4, related cam kit stuff. 470/435 rwhp/rwtq

06-21-2019, 01:23 AM	#11
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,019	The average gain on ported stock heads is 15-20 depending on average aftermarket cams. Ive seen better gains with aftermarket castings like PRC because of the better port design and smaller chambers for more compression without milling.

06-21-2019, 03:50 AM	#12
John_C LSx FTW!!! Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS RS Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: TN Posts: 767	I did Trick Flow GenX 255's. I did a lot of mods at the same time, so I don't know the rwhp gains from the TF heads alone. __________________ 2010 2SS RS A6 781rwhp on E85 Stage 2 ProCharger D1X Circle D 3400 Triple Disc Kooks Jet Hot Headers Kooks Full 3in exhaust Trick Flow GenX 255's Polished PAC .660's & Ti-retainers TSP VVT 3.2 cam kit w/DoD Delete Smith Bro's Trunnion kit AEM X-Series OBDII Widebands FIC ID1300x Injectors GM ZL1 High Output Fuel Pump DSX Tuning Flex Sensor DSX Auxiliary Fuel System Tim King Stage 4 Max Effort CTSV 6L90 DSS 1 piece aluminum driveshaft JRE 6L80E / 6L90E Dipstick NGK Iridium IX spark plugs #7 heat range Mighty Mouse Camaro 5 Wild w/-12an and Billet Black HP Tuners VCM Suite

06-21-2019, 04:33 AM	#13
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,019	I gained 40rwhp going from BTR 3 cam and stock ported heads to TSP 4.2 and PRC 260s