I know, I know. There have been a lot of head questions lately. And I am seriously thinking about it, but I do have questions. I am planning on staying N/A so thats not an issue. I know that you can contact a lot of these manufacturers abou new heads, but would there be any benefit of taking the stock heads, say on my 5.3, and having them ported/polished and reworked? I already have the cam/valvespring/pushrods. I know that everyone always says to match the cam to the specs of the new heads, but can it be done the other way around. And if so, what would be the advantages of this? What kinda gains to expect?

 

U already have cam?? U doin your head work yourself?? If u have a good shop with a flow bench do them they could tell ya what specs to run at.

 

No, I won't be doing the work myself. I was just really wondering if it would even be worth the time and money to take to a shop to do or just buy some new (worked) heads.

 

Not my area of expertise by any means but IMO I think theres alot more to be said about a custom done set of heads then just goin out and buying like a set of AFR heads. Nuthin against them cuz they are the ****. but I think you know what I mean.

I would go to a reputable shop with a good flow bench and then let them go to town on them!!

 

As far as stock heads go, alot of the shops start out with the 5.3 heads anyways because of the small combustion chamber. Now, would it be worth having yours worked over, or buying another set? Depends on how much time you have. Somethimes it can take a shop (depending on which shop) weeks or months to port and polish a set of heads, so your truck could be down for a long time. On my Small Block Ford, I had my Edelbrock Victor's done by a company called Fox Lake in Ohio. I sent them my heads, they were done and sent back to me in @ 3 weeks. That is a QUICK turnaround for a set of ported heads. OR, you could buy a set already done, and unbolt yours, and put yuor new set on, and then try and move yours for a little bit of $$$$$

 

it seems most shops hand port heads and charge a lot more for it. On the bright side the alum heads cut easy and will be a lil cheaper than cast iorn heads. I was quoted 1700.00 to port polish and redo the valves with larger ones from a local here in orange. I know some heads are selling for 1300-1500 from some of our sponsers so I would go that route. You may find a shope to do it for a good price though.

 

I was in the same place about 6 months ago I ended up buying a cheap set stock 5.3 heads less than 200. Then I gave them to my machinist and said this is what I want to do, after springs, ferrea valves, 5 angle job, larger valves fitting the seats and unshrouding it cost me 800 with tax. While I did save about 500 bucks doing it this way (no p and p) if I did get them cnc'd that would have been at least $1000 more.
I wish I had just waited and bought a set of 1.5 5.3 patriots and called it a day for 1300 I think they are well worth it machine shops charge alot

You will recieve great gains from any better flowing head, especially if you already have a cam in. The thing you want to avoid are heads that are really hogged out while they flow alot the air has no velocity ID go with a stage 1 or 1.5 and be done with it.

 

If you do have a local shop work your heads make sure the have done ls1 heads before they are no where near the same as sbc heads.

 

6.0 heads have a larger chamber that will decrease the comp ratio but they can flow allot more then the 5.3 without any work at all and blot right up.
the LS 1 heads have a chamber that is not that much different but again they can flow allot more then the 5.3 and can blot right on.
now the after market heads can give some real gains but at the price of some real bucks.

more flow, bigger valves, less bucks I would go with a used set of 317 6.0 heads, ask the machine shop how far they can be shaved to increase comp without turning the heads in to ****, and how much for a rebuild on the heads using your type of valve spring for the cam you have.

now for me I did the 6.0 heads, supplied the LS 6 valve springs, lightly shaved to keep them straight, light honing on the intake / exhaust for smooth air flow, seals and guides at a price saving cost of 285.00 a head.

now if my job stops working me like a dog i mit get to install my new motor by thanksgiving.

 

Get'r done Pappy