Aftermarket heads vs ported stock - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

CHRI55 · 10-08-2020, 07:18 AM

Currently I have gpi ss4 nfc and looking to go 415ish and eventually boost it.. this next year coming up in looking into upgrading my head and intake and would like to know what is the pros and cons to aftermarket heads to ported heads. Especially since I'm going to be stroking it soon. Is spending the extra money going to net me a noticeable gain. Do anyone no roughly what the difference will be. Etc

joshnmn · 10-08-2020, 07:47 AM

For the money I wouldn’t go aftermarket on a street car. Only when trying to squeeze out every last pony. I’ve seen plenty of factory castings push north of 1200 hp.

CHRI55 · 10-08-2020, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnmn

For the money I wouldn’t go aftermarket on a street car. Only when trying to squeeze out every last pony. I’ve seen plenty of factory castings push north of 1200 hp.

Thx.. I think imma go that way. Just gotta find what company imma go with

Tpeeler31 · 10-08-2020, 08:48 AM

While I have similar intentions as you, I went ahead and ported my heads through GPI before doing boost (still saving up for that). GPI did a killer job on the porting and it made a nice difference on the butt dyno for me along with a dialed-in tune. In hindsight, I would’ve started with boost before heads, cam, and stroking. I do feel good knowing that when I do boost, I’ll have a lot of efficiency =less heat but for the money I would’ve started with boost so save for them instead of heads. Hope that helps!

Greenhornet2 · 10-08-2020, 09:31 AM

If going with boost, save your money put it towards the FI and fuel system. You can go incredibly far on the stock heads.

racesloth · 10-08-2020, 09:53 AM

What was said above...

For reference I just sold a set of used heads off a ford 416W for $2000. These heads flowed just slightly less than stock LS3 heads. The design of the LS heads really upped the game in cylinder head flow.

CHRI55 · 10-10-2020, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenhornet2

If going with boost, save your money put it towards the FI and fuel system. You can go incredibly far on the stock heads.

I am. But its far down the line. Once I stroke it it'll be a n/a car for about 2 years maybe

CHRI55 · 10-10-2020, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tpeeler31

While I have similar intentions as you, I went ahead and ported my heads through GPI before doing boost (still saving up for that). GPI did a killer job on the porting and it made a nice difference on the butt dyno for me along with a dialed-in tune. In hindsight, I would’ve started with boost before heads, cam, and stroking. I do feel good knowing that when I do boost, I’ll have a lot of efficiency =less heat but for the money I would’ve started with boost so save for them instead of heads. Hope that helps!

I was lookin into them or Frankenstein

Warship2k15 · 10-10-2020, 01:06 PM

Ok here’s my advice.Fig out what your goals are.
If you are trying to get every last hp when tuning for premium fuel etc.Then aftermarket are the way to go.Also the way to go if you are doing a big cubic inch build.
If you have settled on running meth or e85 go with stock ported or just stock.
So it just depends upon what your goal and setup will be in the end.

CHRI55 · 10-11-2020, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warship2k15

Ok here’s my advice.Fig out what your goals are.
If you are trying to get every last hp when tuning for premium fuel etc.Then aftermarket are the way to go.Also the way to go if you are doing a big cubic inch build.
If you have settled on running meth or e85 go with stock ported or just stock.
So it just depends upon what your goal and setup will be in the end.

When I race it ill b running e85. Driving it ill be using 93

InFiD3ViL · 10-11-2020, 04:58 PM

Some aftermarket heads have a decreased valve angle, allowing for higher lift cams, increased PTV clearance, or ability to run larger valves. Additionally, reshaped lower volume intake ports (higher velocity), and much less restrictive exhaust ports. In higher boosted applications there are aftermarket heads with thicker decks for a better clamping surface/stronger casting or also for more metal to work with if surfacing/milling is needed to achieve a certain deck height or compression ratio.

If I had boatloads of money I would love a set of Mast Black Labels or FED's. But I don't and will likely be fine running with a set of ported stockers, GMPP, GPI, or maybe even mid level type head like PRCs or similar.

From what I have seen on cammed NA 6.2s, you could expect maybe 20-30+hp on ported stock heads and upwards of 40 hp+ on certain aftermarket castings. Obviously, there are tons of variables to consider though.

Warship2k15 · 10-11-2020, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InFiD3ViL

Some aftermarket heads have a decreased valve angle, allowing for higher lift cams, increased PTV clearance, or ability to run larger valves. Additionally, reshaped lower volume intake ports (higher velocity), and much less restrictive exhaust ports. In higher boosted applications there are aftermarket heads with thicker decks for a better clamping surface/stronger casting or also for more metal to work with if surfacing/milling is needed to achieve a certain deck height or compression ratio.

If I had boatloads of money I would love a set of Mast Black Labels or FED's. But I don't and will likely be fine running with a set of ported stockers, GMPP, GPI, or maybe even mid level type head like PRCs or similar.

From what I have seen on cammed NA 6.2s, you could expect maybe 20-30+hp on ported stock heads and upwards of 40 hp+ on certain aftermarket castings. Obviously, there are tons of variables to consider though.

If I had boatloads I would probably go with the Afr ls3 mongoose heads already Cnc ported.
They are pretty impressive.

gm2376 · 10-12-2020, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHRI55

When I race it ill b running e85. Driving it ill be using 93

if you are set up for e85....why ever run anything else?

xc_SS/RS · 10-12-2020, 08:49 AM

Stick to either the AFR or TFS aftermarket heads for the LS3. Any ported head will gain hp up top but you may also sacrifice low end. Milling to increase compression helps gain back the low end but you could have more PTV if you mill too far which will require fly cutting the pistons

With the two above castings you get an intake port that’s the same size as stock but with a ton more velocity which will help with power/torque gains. The improved valve angle will allow more compression before getting into PTV as well.

Give Tony Mamo a shout if you’re really serious about adding heads. He will steer you in the correct direction for your build

10-08-2020, 07:18 AM	#1
CHRI55 Streetkingz_chri55 Drives: 2012 2ss/rs Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Greenville, ms Posts: 158 View My Garage	Aftermarket heads vs ported stock Currently I have gpi ss4 nfc and looking to go 415ish and eventually boost it.. this next year coming up in looking into upgrading my head and intake and would like to know what is the pros and cons to aftermarket heads to ported heads. Especially since I'm going to be stroking it soon. Is spending the extra money going to net me a noticeable gain. Do anyone no roughly what the difference will be. Etc

10-08-2020, 09:31 AM	#5
Greenhornet2 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS LS3 Whipple Join Date: May 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,925	If going with boost, save your money put it towards the FI and fuel system. You can go incredibly far on the stock heads. __________________ 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

10-08-2020, 09:53 AM	#6
racesloth Dan Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS IOM Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Georgia, USA not the other one Posts: 1,041	What was said above... For reference I just sold a set of used heads off a ford 416W for $2000. These heads flowed just slightly less than stock LS3 heads. The design of the LS heads really upped the game in cylinder head flow. __________________ Dan 2010 IOM SS YSI-B, Pat G Cam, Ported CTS-V Heads, ARH LTs MBRP 3" exhaust http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...&highlight=ysi

10-11-2020, 04:58 PM	#11
InFiD3ViL Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS LS3 Swapped A6 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 4,570	Some aftermarket heads have a decreased valve angle, allowing for higher lift cams, increased PTV clearance, or ability to run larger valves. Additionally, reshaped lower volume intake ports (higher velocity), and much less restrictive exhaust ports. In higher boosted applications there are aftermarket heads with thicker decks for a better clamping surface/stronger casting or also for more metal to work with if surfacing/milling is needed to achieve a certain deck height or compression ratio. If I had boatloads of money I would love a set of Mast Black Labels or FED's. But I don't and will likely be fine running with a set of ported stockers, GMPP, GPI, or maybe even mid level type head like PRCs or similar. From what I have seen on cammed NA 6.2s, you could expect maybe 20-30+hp on ported stock heads and upwards of 40 hp+ on certain aftermarket castings. Obviously, there are tons of variables to consider though. __________________ 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS LS3 Swapped A6 - GPI LS3 SS1 .647/.638, (224/237, 112 +4, 7º overlap) on CamMotion 8620 core, BTR Platinum .660" Dual Spring kit w/titanium retainers, CHE bronze trunnion upgrade, stock heads milled @ .015, Melling HV 10296 oil pump, TSP 1-7/8" long tube headers (W/Catless Off-road Pipes), Corsa Xtreme 3" Catback, GPI Ported/Rod Mod Intake, Stage 2 Ported Throttle Body, Vararam OTR CAI, Mike Norris Gen 2 catch can + GM 1LE clean side separator, 160º thermostat - Megan Racing adjustable coilovers (lowered 1.75"), MRR M017 10/11" wheels-Tuned by Ryan @ GPI Last edited by InFiD3ViL; 10-11-2020 at 05:09 PM.

10-12-2020, 08:49 AM	#14
xc_SS/RS Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: somewhere in MD Posts: 4,883	Stick to either the AFR or TFS aftermarket heads for the LS3. Any ported head will gain hp up top but you may also sacrifice low end. Milling to increase compression helps gain back the low end but you could have more PTV if you mill too far which will require fly cutting the pistons With the two above castings you get an intake port that’s the same size as stock but with a ton more velocity which will help with power/torque gains. The improved valve angle will allow more compression before getting into PTV as well. Give Tony Mamo a shout if you’re really serious about adding heads. He will steer you in the correct direction for your build __________________ 2010 2SS/RS Z/28 intake, NW, FAST 102, speed engineering LT's, some exhaust, ATI -10% pulley, GM flex fuel injectors, DSX flex fuel sensor, MGW shifter, HP Tuners, some suspension work, stickers and a little weight loss. 12.63 @113.53 Last edited by xc_SS/RS; 10-12-2020 at 09:15 AM.

10-08-2020, 07:47 AM	#2
joshnmn 2&THEHIT Drives: 5th Gen Camaro; 5th Gen Ram 3500 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 1,012 View My Garage	For the money I wouldn’t go aftermarket on a street car. Only when trying to squeeze out every last pony. I’ve seen plenty of factory castings push north of 1200 hp.

10-08-2020, 08:48 AM	#4
Tpeeler31 Drives: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Gastonia, NC Posts: 81 View My Garage	While I have similar intentions as you, I went ahead and ported my heads through GPI before doing boost (still saving up for that). GPI did a killer job on the porting and it made a nice difference on the butt dyno for me along with a dialed-in tune. In hindsight, I would’ve started with boost before heads, cam, and stroking. I do feel good knowing that when I do boost, I’ll have a lot of efficiency =less heat but for the money I would’ve started with boost so save for them instead of heads. Hope that helps!

10-10-2020, 01:06 PM	#9
Warship2k15 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: May 2016 Location: Kissimmee Posts: 158	Ok here’s my advice.Fig out what your goals are. If you are trying to get every last hp when tuning for premium fuel etc.Then aftermarket are the way to go.Also the way to go if you are doing a big cubic inch build. If you have settled on running meth or e85 go with stock ported or just stock. So it just depends upon what your goal and setup will be in the end.