Stock Ported vs Aftermarket Heads - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Tpeeler31 · 06-14-2020, 09:25 AM

Hey y’all,
My name is Ty and I’m new to the forum. Ive been looking, and looking, and looking on the forum at old threads discussing this (I apologize in advance if I’m opening up a can of worms) but basically I’d like to know what route y’all took for modifying your heads and why. The new heads will be going on a 2011 L99 with a TSP VVT 2.2 camshaft (227/239 113lsa .629” lift), JLT intake, and 1 7/8” headers. The goal is the biggest bang for the buck. I’d like 500rwhp but won’t be heartbroken if I don’t reach that number as boost down the road could easily fix that. Also, being my car is fat, torque under the curve is just as, if not more, important to me than peak HP. I’m on a budget and would really not like to go over $2500.
Any constructive input is greatly valued!

07-SRT · 06-14-2020, 11:35 AM

Keeping the VVT , that cam with L99 and auto you will be more around 450 rwhp ( depending on Dyno and correction factor used) If you only goal is nothing more than "500 rwhp" just save up for forced induction.

zz430camaro · 06-14-2020, 12:01 PM

The cheapest route for heads is to send you factory ones and have them ported. They wont flow as much as aftermarket but should be better. 500 rwhp on a L99 is hard to do id say set your goal to 480

Tpeeler31 · 06-14-2020, 02:50 PM

Thanks for the input guys! I’ll probably look at TSP OR GPI’s porting services for the stock heads. However, I came across the GMPP heads and am considering them also since they are in my budget and I could sell my current heads. Plus I’d get hollow-stem intake valves which is a plus. I guess I’ll continue to do some more research!

07-SRT · 06-14-2020, 02:57 PM

If I recall the springs on those GMPP heads are only good for up to .550 lift, you will need to upgrade the springs

Tpeeler31 · 06-14-2020, 03:20 PM

I will swap springs since I’m currently running the BTR dual spring

Roader · 06-14-2020, 04:33 PM

If you want to chase 500rwhp then mill them to bump compression and add flex fuel sensor and use e85

WHAMMO · 06-14-2020, 06:14 PM

Mill and light port, if any. Stock heads flow plenty to support a lot of power. The real advantage of aftermarket is extra PTV room, and the flow too. So big cam extra compression is good.

Greenhornet2 · 06-14-2020, 06:45 PM

I wouldn't waste your money on heads if FI is in the future plans, put that money towards saving for the FI. Stock heads flow well.

Tpeeler31 · 06-14-2020, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenhornet2

I wouldn't waste your money on heads if FI is in the future plans, put that money towards saving for the FI. Stock heads flow well.

That’s a good point actually. After doing the research it would be a big chunk of change for the heads, gaskets, bolts, etc. That being said, how do you like your Whipple?

Bo White · 06-15-2020, 02:17 AM

Ive ran stock ported and aftermarket heads. I gained both times.

Bo White · 06-15-2020, 02:18 AM

Ported or aftermarket heads on a power adder car is just as beneficial as on a NA car.

eLeSthree · 06-15-2020, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bo White

Ported or aftermarket heads on a power adder car is just as beneficial as on a NA car.

Yes, and if the OP has a budget of $2500 for heads, I would be taking a hard look at the Frankenstein M311 heads from Thompson Motorsports. They come with a nice spring set, and if I recall correctly you can have them milled down to regain your compression, since they are 72cc. They usually go for $2400 at TMS, and you just missed a sale where they were $2000. These are 6 bolt heads, which you wont need to use on your stock block, but thats fine. No problem running 6 bolt heads on the stock block.

https://www.thompsonmotorsports.net/...cylinder-heads

The second option I would consider, is the TSP 6 bolt "as cast" head. If you already have a good valvespring kit, they would cost you about $1750 for a nice set of 6 bolt heads.

https://www.texas-speed.com/p-7650-p...der-heads.aspx

I know you dont need 6 bolt heads now, but if you're planning forced induction, you may end up with a 6 bolt block someday, and you'll have a bad ass set of heads to clamp down and hold all the sauce.

Again, thats if you have a head budget for $2500.... If not, spend it on boost. You'll get 20-30hp with just heads, or 200-300hp with boost.

Tpeeler31 · 06-15-2020, 08:20 AM

Thanks for the help y’all, the more info the better. I was not even aware of the Frankenstein heads and will look into those. Now I’m torn between just boosting and being done with it or doing heads now and boost later to leave no stone unturned so-to-speak. I think I’m at the point to where conservative boost would be the better route. I heard the stock heads flow pretty well up until 600-700 range before they become a choking point. Does that sound about right?

06-14-2020, 09:25 AM	#1
Tpeeler31 Drives: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Gastonia, NC Posts: 81 View My Garage	Stock Ported vs Aftermarket Heads Hey y’all, My name is Ty and I’m new to the forum. Ive been looking, and looking, and looking on the forum at old threads discussing this (I apologize in advance if I’m opening up a can of worms) but basically I’d like to know what route y’all took for modifying your heads and why. The new heads will be going on a 2011 L99 with a TSP VVT 2.2 camshaft (227/239 113lsa .629” lift), JLT intake, and 1 7/8” headers. The goal is the biggest bang for the buck. I’d like 500rwhp but won’t be heartbroken if I don’t reach that number as boost down the road could easily fix that. Also, being my car is fat, torque under the curve is just as, if not more, important to me than peak HP. I’m on a budget and would really not like to go over $2500. Any constructive input is greatly valued!

06-14-2020, 11:35 AM	#2
07-SRT Drives: 2015 Camaro SS Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 713	Keeping the VVT , that cam with L99 and auto you will be more around 450 rwhp ( depending on Dyno and correction factor used) If you only goal is nothing more than "500 rwhp" just save up for forced induction. __________________ 2015 Camaro 2SS Cam/Heads/FBO 498/447 SAE

06-14-2020, 12:01 PM	#3
zz430camaro Drives: 2015 1LE Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,485	The cheapest route for heads is to send you factory ones and have them ported. They wont flow as much as aftermarket but should be better. 500 rwhp on a L99 is hard to do id say set your goal to 480 __________________ 2015 1LE, TSP 225/236 113+3, VMAX Throttle Body, CAI with race scoop, GPI Ported Intake, Land Speed Stage 2 Heads, 1-7/8 headers, NPP exhaust, 25% Fluidampr, LT1-S Monster Clutch, 485 RWHP & 444 TQ

06-14-2020, 02:57 PM	#5
07-SRT Drives: 2015 Camaro SS Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 713	If I recall the springs on those GMPP heads are only good for up to .550 lift, you will need to upgrade the springs __________________ 2015 Camaro 2SS Cam/Heads/FBO 498/447 SAE

06-14-2020, 06:14 PM	#8
WHAMMO Drives: 13' 1LE Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 2,640	Mill and light port, if any. Stock heads flow plenty to support a lot of power. The real advantage of aftermarket is extra PTV room, and the flow too. So big cam extra compression is good. __________________ 13' 1LE Old setup: TSP 231-236/Tick 660/.105 PR, UDP, SW LT 2'' & HFC, stock NPP & H pipe, VR-DRX CAI, air scoop, Goertz1 manifold, 102mm BBK, 26" Toyo DRs, Forgestars R17x10 & F18x8, rear seat delete, remote Pat G tune Autocal, 7400 limiter, Spec Mini Twin. 91oct. 11.90@122.3, 0-60ft 2.0 / 11.99@123.6, 0-60ft 2.1 DA+819 ...519RWHP SAE Solid roller SBE LS3, FED, LLSR, 91oct, 605rwhp N/A. Tuned by Pat G. Build by me.

06-14-2020, 02:50 PM	#4
Tpeeler31 Drives: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Gastonia, NC Posts: 81 View My Garage	Thanks for the input guys! I’ll probably look at TSP OR GPI’s porting services for the stock heads. However, I came across the GMPP heads and am considering them also since they are in my budget and I could sell my current heads. Plus I’d get hollow-stem intake valves which is a plus. I guess I’ll continue to do some more research!

06-14-2020, 03:20 PM	#6
Tpeeler31 Drives: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Gastonia, NC Posts: 81 View My Garage	I will swap springs since I’m currently running the BTR dual spring

06-14-2020, 04:33 PM	#7
Roader Drives: Camaro Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Alabama Posts: 673	If you want to chase 500rwhp then mill them to bump compression and add flex fuel sensor and use e85

06-14-2020, 06:45 PM	#9
Greenhornet2 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS LS3 Whipple Join Date: May 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,925	I wouldn't waste your money on heads if FI is in the future plans, put that money towards saving for the FI. Stock heads flow well. __________________ 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

06-15-2020, 02:17 AM	#11
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,018	Ive ran stock ported and aftermarket heads. I gained both times.

06-15-2020, 02:18 AM	#12
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,018	Ported or aftermarket heads on a power adder car is just as beneficial as on a NA car.

06-15-2020, 08:20 AM	#14
Tpeeler31 Drives: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Gastonia, NC Posts: 81 View My Garage	Thanks for the help y’all, the more info the better. I was not even aware of the Frankenstein heads and will look into those. Now I’m torn between just boosting and being done with it or doing heads now and boost later to leave no stone unturned so-to-speak. I think I’m at the point to where conservative boost would be the better route. I heard the stock heads flow pretty well up until 600-700 range before they become a choking point. Does that sound about right?