Best heads for my project - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

cc-rider · 10-31-2021, 05:18 PM

Hi all,
I’m putting together a forged internal LS3. I’m looking for some recommendations on what to do with the heads. I’ve got a Kenne Bell supercharger with LT headers. Adding to it now:

- BTR stage 3 PDS torque cam & spring package
- Forged rotating assembly that will be around 9.4:1 compression (assuming stock chamber size)
- BTR shaft rocker kit (reusing stock rockers)

Wondering what to do with the heads? What’s the latest & greatest out there? What’s the best value? So many options out there for the LS3…which is actually great…but not sure which way to go.

Omega · 10-31-2021, 05:28 PM

High end would be Mast, very good heads would be Brodix BR3s, FED M311s, or TSP PRC. GPI, TEI and FED, all have a nice porting service if you want to keep the price down.

Keep in mind you don't need to touch the heads to make good HP. Porting or using aftermarket heads will make your goals that much easier

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

Bigdumogre · 10-31-2021, 06:36 PM

Frankenstein or GPI heads seem to be some of the top choices.

Greenhornet2 · 11-01-2021, 12:14 PM

Heads would be very low on the priority list for a FI build. Your money would be better spent elsewhere.

1JEWLDSSRS · 11-01-2021, 04:32 PM

Several of the guys I have chatted with on the forum are running either the PRC260' s or the FED M311's with good gains.

dreksnot · 11-01-2021, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenhornet2

Heads would be very low on the priority list for a FI build. Your money would be better spent elsewhere.

I strongly agree with that statement. With the setup you're looking to do, the stock LS3 heads with some BTR upgrades (e.g., springs) would provide you very good results. The best bang for the buck are the slightly built LS3 heads (not even polished/ported) compared to spending buku bucks for such little returns.

ttshovel · 11-02-2021, 05:14 AM

I agree with the rest on heads. I ran untouched 821 casting heads forever and they were awesome. Save the coin

cc-rider · 11-03-2021, 07:40 AM

I think you guys are right. I see Texas Speed offered a fairly well priced CNC machining program. Anyone have experience with that?

eLeSthree · 11-03-2021, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cc-rider

I think you guys are right. I see Texas Speed offered a fairly well priced CNC machining program. Anyone have experience with that?

no, but I think you're looking at 15whp for $1000+

In my opinion, unless you have a 6 bolt block, just run the stock heads. You can force enough boost through them to make 1000whp.

1JEWLDSSRS · 11-03-2021, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreksnot

I strongly agree with that statement. With the setup you're looking to do, the stock LS3 heads with some BTR upgrades (e.g., springs) would provide you very good results. The best bang for the buck are the slightly built LS3 heads (not even polished/ported) compared to spending buku bucks for such little returns.

^^^ And this is why I didn't do a head swap, too much money for such a little gain on a N/A'd setup. Even as stated on a FI'd setup, the stockers flow really nicely for your needs. GM did a good job with them. Like I decided, save your money.... Do the springs and trunnion's on yours. BTR springs and CHE or Smith Brothers bronze trunnion bushings.

cc-rider · 11-03-2021, 07:48 PM

I bought the BTR shaft rocker kit for LS3 heads. We’ll see how those work. The kit comes with trunion upgrades as well. Looked like a nice piece so I’m going to give it a run. I got their dual spring .660 as well.

morepowerjoe · 11-04-2021, 12:27 AM

Yeah I don't think heads will become a restriction until you get at around 650 hp or so and that's probably on like a stroker engine or something with big cub's. With ported heads your more than likely going to only gain like 10 hp.

RealQuick · 11-10-2021, 07:42 AM

N/A, stock heads will support alot of power.

FI, ported heads will make a difference. The question is what power level do you want to achieve? That will determine whether you need ported heads or not.

cc-rider · 11-10-2021, 07:37 PM

This hobby is hard on my wallet. I ended up buying a set of Frankenstein M311 Monster heads. Probably a waste of money. But I couldn’t help myself. Thompson Motorsports has pretty good deal on these heads and they had them in stock as well. Pulled the trigger.

They come with Manley severe duty valves, dual springs, cnc ported, thicker deck. Nice pieces. Let’s see how they do.

10-31-2021, 05:18 PM	#1
cc-rider Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: MN Posts: 1,172	Best heads for my project Hi all, I’m putting together a forged internal LS3. I’m looking for some recommendations on what to do with the heads. I’ve got a Kenne Bell supercharger with LT headers. Adding to it now: - BTR stage 3 PDS torque cam & spring package - Forged rotating assembly that will be around 9.4:1 compression (assuming stock chamber size) - BTR shaft rocker kit (reusing stock rockers) Wondering what to do with the heads? What’s the latest & greatest out there? What’s the best value? So many options out there for the LS3…which is actually great…but not sure which way to go.

10-31-2021, 06:36 PM	#3
Bigdumogre Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: New York Posts: 1,434	Frankenstein or GPI heads seem to be some of the top choices. __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS - CSP Custom Cam 232/240 .615/.615 113 +3, Texas speed CNC heads, FTI billet triple disc converter, K&N cai, Katech ported TB, GPI Ported/rod modded manifold, Texas speed 1 7/8 headers, HFC, Flowmaster 2 chambers with x pipe, Mishimoto CC, MSD wires, Roto fab washer relocation, tru cool 40k trans cooler, apex scoop, Pedders extreme coil overs and much more!!

11-01-2021, 12:14 PM	#4
Greenhornet2 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS LS3 Whipple Join Date: May 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,925	Heads would be very low on the priority list for a FI build. Your money would be better spent elsewhere. __________________ Whipple 2.9 CAI ID1050x injectors ZL1 Pump JRE FPCM JMS Voltage booster JRE Rough Idle blower cam BTR .660 springs CHE trunnion kit 1 7/8 Speed Engineering Borla Atak JRE scoop 1.5" lowering springs BMR trailing arms and toe links Cradle inserts 704WHP 603WTQ 93 octane

11-01-2021, 04:32 PM	#5
1JEWLDSSRS Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 11,435	Several of the guys I have chatted with on the forum are running either the PRC260' s or the FED M311's with good gains. __________________ TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.

11-02-2021, 05:14 AM	#7
ttshovel Drives: 12 camaro ss, 72 chevelle, 91camaro Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: findlay,oh Posts: 2,069	I agree with the rest on heads. I ran untouched 821 casting heads forever and they were awesome. Save the coin __________________ 12 camaro ss 427lsx, th400, f310 heads, crower shaft mounts, gpi specd solid roller, shearerfab 2k hp a/w, twin bullseye 88mm turbos, hughes pro ssx bolt together converter, holley dominator, 8.50 cert, backhalf, Ford 9", 33x17x16 tires, c16 fuel

10-31-2021, 05:28 PM	#2
Omega Drives: G8 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 251	High end would be Mast, very good heads would be Brodix BR3s, FED M311s, or TSP PRC. GPI, TEI and FED, all have a nice porting service if you want to keep the price down. Keep in mind you don't need to touch the heads to make good HP. Porting or using aftermarket heads will make your goals that much easier Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

11-03-2021, 07:40 AM	#8
cc-rider Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: MN Posts: 1,172	I think you guys are right. I see Texas Speed offered a fairly well priced CNC machining program. Anyone have experience with that?

11-03-2021, 07:48 PM	#11
cc-rider Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: MN Posts: 1,172	I bought the BTR shaft rocker kit for LS3 heads. We’ll see how those work. The kit comes with trunion upgrades as well. Looked like a nice piece so I’m going to give it a run. I got their dual spring .660 as well.

11-04-2021, 12:27 AM	#12
morepowerjoe Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,105	Yeah I don't think heads will become a restriction until you get at around 650 hp or so and that's probably on like a stroker engine or something with big cub's. With ported heads your more than likely going to only gain like 10 hp. __________________ DSS FX Forged Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Forged Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC 260 CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Performance Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions , Molly Pushrods, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP 1 7/8" Longtubes with 3" TSP Exhaust, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Fluid Dynamics Balancer Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817

11-10-2021, 07:42 AM	#13
RealQuick Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS M6 - Intake/Exhaust Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Bridgewater Posts: 693	N/A, stock heads will support alot of power. FI, ported heads will make a difference. The question is what power level do you want to achieve? That will determine whether you need ported heads or not.

11-10-2021, 07:37 PM	#14
cc-rider Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: MN Posts: 1,172	This hobby is hard on my wallet. I ended up buying a set of Frankenstein M311 Monster heads. Probably a waste of money. But I couldn’t help myself. Thompson Motorsports has pretty good deal on these heads and they had them in stock as well. Pulled the trigger. They come with Manley severe duty valves, dual springs, cnc ported, thicker deck. Nice pieces. Let’s see how they do.