Northwest Members - Should I buy these heads?

He's asking $450. How much should i expect for a machine shop to clean them up? Where is a good shop to take them in the PDX area?

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm266/sergiLS1/downsized_0716091152.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm266/sergiLS1/downsized_0716091151.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm266/sergiLS1/0716091151a.jpg

I'm on a budget so, i can't afford to buy brand new ones...I'm on a business trip so this guy is close by.

So what things should I look for? Cracks, and chips right?

Any info would help. Thanks in advance.

are they ported?

no they are not ported...

its not some amazing deal you cant pass up, so if you dont have the money i would probably pass for now..

id hold off for a good deal on a stg 1 prc ls6 head.. you can find them from time to time on here for around $750-$800..

expect around a 20rwhp gains with unported and around 40-45rwhp gains ported..
worth another $300-$400 bucks to me..

I thought Patriot Performance had a deal on 243's for $500? They were new and ready to go. Check around.

another thing is gaskets will cost you $100 bucks or so.

I thought Patriot Performance had a deal on 243's for $500? They were new and ready to go. Check around.

I just went to their site, i didn't see any...

Those used 243's got sold on sunday, :mad:

If anyone knows where I can buy some used 243's, please let me know.

another thing is gaskets will cost you $100 bucks or so.

OP- I have one gasket if you are interested.. would be cheaper than buying both..
It is brand new, never set on a car.

I just went to their site, i didn't see any...

Those used 243's got sold on sunday, :mad:

If anyone knows where I can buy some used 243's, please let me know.

How much you looking to spend?

How much you looking to spend?[/QUOTE]

$500, then i'd have to spend a bit more to get em cleaned up...

$500, then i'd have to spend a bit more to get em cleaned up...[/QUOTE]

I would definitely be thinking about spending a little bit more and just get a good clean set of used low mileage ported heads. I have seen some go as low as $700 bucks.

Just giving you some ideas.

found another set,

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/western-classifieds/1166835-fs-absolute-speed-stage-2-ported-853s.html

These should bolt right on? Will my MS3 work with it?

found another set,

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/western-classifieds/1166835-fs-absolute-speed-stage-2-ported-853s.html

These should bolt right on? Will my MS3 work with it?

Those heads should work just fine with your MS3 cam. They've got good valves, and good springs. I'd ask for some flow numbers on them. If the numbers look decent then see if he'll take 700.00 for them.

Mike

853's were not good flowing from the factory to begin with, I'd pass.
for $1200 your looking at new stage 2.5 5.3's to begin with which is only $400 more than what he was asking.

See what the flow numbers are.. Chances are you should pass.

Like I have stated you can get used PRC ls6 stg 1 heads used for around 700$..

The guy with the 853s doesn't have a flow sheet.

If I were to buy used heads, I'd want to see them in person before I buy...

If anyone can find me 243's in the bay area (where I am for the next week) or in the NW after sept 4th, it would be much appreciated. It would have to be ASAP before I spend the money I got!!!:nod:

The guy with the 853s doesn't have a flow sheet.

If I were to buy used heads, I'd want to see them in person before I buy...

If anyone can find me 243's in the bay area (where I am for the next week) or in the NW after sept 4th, it would be much appreciated. It would have to be ASAP before I spend the money I got!!!:nod:

Don't let the money burn a hole man..

Sit on it and wait to find a deal, don't jump on the first set you find that an "ok" deal.

The guy with the 853s doesn't have a flow sheet.

If I were to buy used heads, I'd want to see them in person before I buy...

If anyone can find me 243's in the bay area (where I am for the next week) or in the NW after sept 4th, it would be much appreciated. It would have to be ASAP before I spend the money I got!!!:nod:

I wouldn't buy any ported heads without a flow sheet unless they were on a proven car that performed well at the track etc....

Mike

AFR 205s for $1400

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/western-classifieds/1169427-fs-afr-205s-1400-picked-up.html

243 heads w/918 springs

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/western-classifieds/1168185-243-heads-228cam-gaskets-prs-ls7lifters-pics.html

Check the classifieds on corvetteforum.com in the C5 section as well.

$1400 is a good price for a set of used 205's, they usually dont dip below that.

AFR 205s for $1400

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/western-classifieds/1169427-fs-afr-205s-1400-picked-up.html

243 heads w/918 springs

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/western-classifieds/1168185-243-heads-228cam-gaskets-prs-ls7lifters-pics.html

Check the classifieds on corvetteforum.com in the C5 section as well.

Thanks for the help, I might have a winner, let me know what u think:

http://lsxnation.net/showthread.php?p=183306&posted=1#post183306

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/lsx-parts-sale/1166118-243-heads-918-springs.html

Found another, let me know what you guys think,

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/pts/1352064326.html

The guy with the 853s doesn't have a flow sheet.

If I were to buy used heads, I'd want to see them in person before I buy...

If anyone can find me 243's in the bay area (where I am for the next week) or in the NW after sept 4th, it would be much appreciated. It would have to be ASAP before I spend the money I got!!!:nod:
I'll be updating my LS2 to LS3 heads soon, I got everything needed EXCEPT the LS3 heads. It will be at least another 2 months before I do it: does that work with your timeframe? And where are you moving to? I'm up in the "real" NorthWest: the Seattle, WA. area. I'll be asking $400 and I have the OEM head gaskets (came in the full head/cam kit, but will not work with the LS3 heads). Oh yeah: I'm currently at 36,000 miles: 75 freeway miles a day means I'll be at 42-44k by the time they come off. ALready had the valve covers off: looks pristine underneath. (no burnt oil to signify the previous owner running it out of oil).

If my timeline works for you, go ahead and search out a shop to do the port work you want and see if its do-able. BTW: with the stock LS2 heads with your MS3 cam on a LS2 engine, guys are seeing 410-420rwhp. Keep my email handy: tlperman at comcast dot net

I'll be updating my LS2 to LS3 heads soon, I got everything needed EXCEPT the LS3 heads. It will be at least another 2 months before I do it: does that work with your timeframe? And where are you moving to? I'm up in the "real" NorthWest: the Seattle, WA. area. I'll be asking $400 and I have the OEM head gaskets (came in the full head/cam kit, but will not work with the LS3 heads). Oh yeah: I'm currently at 36,000 miles: 75 freeway miles a day means I'll be at 42-44k by the time they come off. ALready had the valve covers off: looks pristine underneath. (no burnt oil to signify the previous owner running it out of oil).

If my timeline works for you, go ahead and search out a shop to do the port work you want and see if its do-able. BTW: with the stock LS2 heads with your MS3 cam on a LS2 engine, guys are seeing 410-420rwhp. Keep my email handy: tlperman at comcast dot net

Not really, i actually need them ASAP, I actually found a guy selling patriot stage 2 243's for pretty cheap! im supposed to pick them up this weekend. if that falls through ill be sure to hit u up!

-unless you can get them off by this weekend?

-Steve

The leaking coolant would have me alil worried. But if you look at them and think it won't be a problem sounds like a good deal to me. I paid 550 for my 243 heads off of ebay.

$550 shipped from that guy in Texas wth 918's on them is a decent deal. He just posted that today.

The leaking coolant would have me alil worried. But if you look at them and think it won't be a problem sounds like a good deal to me. I paid 550 for my 243 heads off of ebay.

anyone else think that this would turn out to be a big problem?

the seller says to just put some thread sealant on the bolts???

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/lsx-parts-sale/1150929-ls6-lpe-ported-cylinder-heads.html

best deal I have found so far.

fuck the bullshit, i'ma just buy the stg 2.5 ls6's from TSP.

I just wish that I could get a better discount from Wong's for install and tune, $1700! Hookup a LS1Tech discount Tom! :wavey:

I emailed him and he said he won't be able to fit me in till October...So, hopefully i'll be lopin around the neighborhoods by Halloween! :devil:

Welllllll, do the install yourself and then have it tuned :)
A head swap is easier than a cam swap.

fuck the bullshit, i'ma just buy the stg 2.5 ls6's from TSP.

I just wish that I could get a better discount from Wong's for install and tune, $1700! Hookup a LS1Tech discount Tom! :wavey:

I emailed him and he said he won't be able to fit me in till October...So, hopefully i'll be lopin around the neighborhoods by Halloween! :devil:

If you had a corvette it would be cheaper lol!!

fuck the bullshit, i'ma just buy the stg 2.5 ls6's from TSP.

I just wish that I could get a better discount from Wong's for install and tune, $1700! Hookup a LS1Tech discount Tom! :wavey:

I emailed him and he said he won't be able to fit me in till October...So, hopefully i'll be lopin around the neighborhoods by Halloween! :devil:

Those LPEs are cheaper and have a nice flow chart. Thats seriously the best deal iv seen on ported heads. Specially new.

That link to the AFRs is the cheapest iv seen those go for too.

I have a pair of unported 5.3 heads that just need to be cleaned up and worked over (ported/polished) to make them kick A$$ heads. I am in Everett and only want $350 for em. PM if you are interested

THanks for the links and advice everyone but, I'm always hesitant on buying anything over $500 that is not local. And I don't think most of those heads will work with my ms3. So I decided to just go with the tsp stuff that I know will work out good...

Blanco, have you ever got your tools that u have been waiting months for to help me with the install? I haven't heard anything from you in a bit...

So, with those stage 2.5 243s, my ms3 cam, ls6 intake, full exhaust w/o cats, what cha think I'll be at the wheels? 420? ;)

I'm thinking of 4.11s soon too...

THanks for the links and advice everyone but, I'm always hesitant on buying anything over $500 that is not local. And I don't think most of those heads will work with my ms3. So I decided to just go with the tsp stuff that I know will work out good...

Blanco, have you ever got your tools that u have been waiting months for to help me with the install? I haven't heard anything from you in a bit...

So, with those stage 2.5 243s, my ms3 cam, ls6 intake, full exhaust w/o cats, what cha think I'll be at the wheels? 420? ;)

I'm thinking of 4.11s soon too...

420 sounds about right! Sell that ls6 intake get a fast 92/92,tru duals and powerbond pulley and your lookin at 450-460!! Its gonna be a killer either way bro cant wait to hear that baby :headbang:
Hey I got the gears brand new in box for ya when your ready;)

No, I think they forgot about me :jest: and I've been busy and havent had any extra time. I'm coaching baseball and both kids are in soccer as well. 420 won't be on Tom's dyno, maybe a dynojet.. thats the stingiest dyno for an fbdoy ever..LOL It took me a 347 and Mamo massaged heads and intake a 238/242 cam to break 420 on that thing.
I think you'll be around 410 on Toms dyno, but if he tunes it it will run as good as it can get so dont get caught up in the dyno number or you will end up spending more money..LOL

Shit Elliott's 355 lt1 did 381rwhp through an a4 and 3600 stall on Tom's dyno! He is gonna have to get that thing on a dynojet too!

So, with those stage 2.5 243s, my ms3 cam, ls6 intake, full exhaust w/o cats, what cha think I'll be at the wheels? 420? ;)



I'd say 435-450 at the wheels with that setup depending which dyno you use. Should be a rockin' setup when you get it all done. :) Like Chris said though, don't get too caught up with dyno numbers. It's just a tool to tune with. Get her on the track and that will be a real test of how well she runs. ;)

Start saving up for a 9" or S60 rearend. :thumb:

Mike

x2 on the rearend bro your setup will blast a 10bolt to the moon!

Hey the kit is in !! I just checked warehouse and they have it now. Now finding time is the hard part :jest:

Hey the kit is in !! I just checked warehouse and they have it now. Now finding time is the hard part :jest:

What kit???

What do you guys think? 5.3 stg 2.5 or the ls6 243s stg 2.5?

5.3's. The LS6 head at a 2.5 are going to have some big runners which will effect your performance especialy with a mid to large size cam.

The order has been placed! Tsp said it takes 10 days to make and assemble the heads and 5 days to get here ;(

:jest:, Wong didn't have any in stock?

5.3's ftw bro!!! Your gonna be makin some nice power!

Just got my heads in today but, i can see where they ported the intake, exhaust, and chambers still have some burrs (rough lines) in em...Aren't they supposed to be smooth? I think they forgot the polish part???

I'm uploading pics to my photobucket account, ill throw em up on here tonight or tomorrow.

http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee355/Deepupinit52/IMG_0462.jpg

http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee355/Deepupinit52/IMG_0465.jpg

http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee355/Deepupinit52/IMG_0470.jpg

http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee355/Deepupinit52/IMG_0468.jpg

http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee355/Deepupinit52/IMG_0454.jpg

http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee355/Deepupinit52/IMG_0453.jpg

http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee355/Deepupinit52/IMG_0451.jpg

http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee355/Deepupinit52/IMG_0459.jpg

OK, I found out that u need those rough spots on the intake side for turbulence for a good air fuel ratio....

should i polish the exhaust ports?

OK, I found out that u need those rough spots on the intake side for turbulence for a good air fuel ratio....

should i polish the exhaust ports?


Yep, had a customer today who wants me to media blast his intake ports when we're done with the heads. Yes on the exhaust.

Make sure you check those over good, particularly the threads for the spark plugs, I've had to chase those threads a few times on those heads before.