Which heads for most power without cam change???
09-30-2013, 11:06 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
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Which heads for most power without cam change???
Did anybody do a heads upgrade only???? and what were your gains on the dyno and or quarter mile times????
10-01-2013, 11:58 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
Not sure I've ever heard of anyone doing this. A cam will get you more HP than heads and cost is less too. New heads might help some but w/o a stronger cam, I don't hink you'd see a whole lot of difference. Obviously, you'd gain something but not much w/o a new cam. And if you get those two items, you have to have a way to get rid of it all which brings you to headers. If you want a single item or two to help a stock engine, get a new CAI and some headers and a tune. Best bang for the buck when just starting out.
10-02-2013, 12:23 PM
#3
Melting Slicks
Why don't you want a cam? You're not going to be gaining much without a cam. Having the valve open longer with stock heads can flow more air into the cylinder then better heads with the valve open only a short time.
10-02-2013, 02:30 PM
#4
Melting Slicks
Ported 5.3's will probably give you the most out the box without a cam. But I wouldn't go thru all the trouble to swap heads and not replace the cam too
10-02-2013, 05:00 PM
#7
Race Director
I vaguely remember somebody doing just that some time ago, to fairly surprising results. IIRC, the gains were in the neighborhood of 30 RWHP, with ported/shaved 243s. It doesn't take much cam to beat that. I gained just over 120 RWHP with Trickflows and a smallish 228-232 cam, plus a couple of bolt-on things. If it's a question of money, you're better off not even starting.
10-02-2013, 09:47 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
To the OP looking at your profile you have rodeo or two in the background! My guess is you know the answer & your looking for verification? My next rodeo I will do exactly as you asked in the opening post. I'm not sure the cylinder head direction I will go, John Lingenfelter words are clear in my mind.
10-03-2013, 11:01 AM
#9
Team Owner
AFR posted gains of 45 hp heads only out of the box. Work done by Vinci. Not sure if the dyno sheets are still on their web site. It was part of an overall upgrade to a Vette, with results posted along the way.
10-03-2013, 01:46 PM
#10
Drifting
AI ported 799s and headers put me at 370 rwhp on the stock '99 cam.
I added a bigger cam and picked up 65 rwhp. The heads were begging for a cam. With that being said, the heads only setup was still really fun on the street.
I added a bigger cam and picked up 65 rwhp. The heads were begging for a cam. With that being said, the heads only setup was still really fun on the street.
