Patriot Heads
2026
5.3 Stage II Center Bolt Bare
$945.00 pair
http://sites.reachtheworld.tv/waterN...05233&DID=1225

I need to know a good Cam that would work with them.
Any ideas would help alot.

I want to be able to run with the highoutput Stock 6L. I have a 4.8. I am also looking for better mileage. i can run with the 5.3s now once i get going because obviously i dont have much on the start. Any ideas would be great.

 

IMO, those are too much for a 4.8. The 5.3 designation is a bit of a misnomer, as they are really intended for larger bore applications (3.90 and up). 5.3 heads are used as cores because they have smaller chambers stock, which means they can be ported without increasing the chamber size drastically.

 

how would they be to much for a 4.8? the 4.8 and 5.3 have the same bore just a diffrent stroke. i guess i dont understand can someone please explain.

 

Even too big for a 5.3. Yes, they have nice flow numbers, but are set up for large bore engines. Big port volumes and oversize valves, which get you big flow numbers, need cubic inches and high rpm to support them. Something 4.8s and 5.3s lack. Put a head with 2.02 intake valves on an engine with 3.78 bores and the valves will be shrouded by the bore. Not to mention chamber volume, but anything over 61cc will drop compression on a 5.3 or 4.8.

I see ported "5.3 liter" heads being praised for their high flow numbers all the time, and I see alot of confusion by truck guys who think those big heads are meant for them. In reality those heads are meant for LS1s and LS6s (flow tests show they were done with a 3.905 bore), but it does not say that explictly, and I think that is a little misleading and sneaky. Porters use "5.3 liter" heads as cores because they have small (61cc) chambers, which means they can port the crap out of them and not have to mill them a ton to regain compression on a LS1/LS6. Technically, you now have a ported "5.3 liter" head, but it doesn't mean that is meant for a 5.3 engine anymore.

My best advise if you want heads for your truck, talk to a porter (there are a few that are sponsors here) and explain to them the specs of your truck, any mods it has now, future mods, how you intend to drive it. They will help you pick a head that is tailor made for your application. Then take the head data and call cam grinders, give them the same info on your truck plus the head data and they will help you pick a cam.

It's all about the combination of parts, not just picking the heads with the biggest flow numbers and the biggest cam and hoping for the best.

 

Very well said!

 

So i should go out and have my heads now ported to my needs nothing more? then have a cam custom ground for my needs/ future needs. i am in the Omaha area does anyone know of anyone that does that in the midwest area?

 

You don't have to get your heads ported for what you have right now. Think about your future goals. You said that you want a cam, tell this to your porter, he can help you there a little too. Also search here. There is a great cam thread sticky with lots of the most popular cams and how they will react in a 4.8.

Get a porter who is familiar with Gen III engines, as it is easy to ruin these heads. I have only great things to say about Richard and West Coast Cylinder Head. They are a site sponsor and Richard was more than helpful with all of my questions and concerns, very responsive, and resonably priced. I haven't had the time to install my heads yet, but I'm very pleased with the stock v. ported flow data that I have. As soon (soon being relative) as I get them on I'll give a write up with before and after syno numbers. There are a few others here that run WCCH heads and were all very satisfied.