I'm so sure of it I posted it twice lol

To give you a point of reference, the 5.3 in my wifes suburban has flat top pistons and a stock LS1 cam, it dynod 291rwhp on stock 862 5.3 heads. So maybe with a LS6 cam you would be around 300rwhp

 

243s milled .040 with ls6 cam will run good
that combo with a 3000 stall put my xcab 13.8s

 

With a 4.00" bore I'd go 243's no questions asked!

 

243s or 799s are both good stock budget heads. I got a set of new assembled 799's for $400 and had them milled for $70. If you are staying NA, then you might want to look into some ported heads. If you are going to FI in the future, then ported heads are not as important, but do help nonetheless.

 

people skimp out on heads way too often...save up and get real parts. the top end is what makes an engine.

 

What was it Lingenfelter said?

"The worlds's best cam combined with a poor set of heads will produce an engine that's a dog. But bolt on a set of great heads even with a poor cam and that engine will still make great power."

 

Thanks everyone great advice! I'll look into flat tops as well as look around for 243/799 heads. I'll also check local prices for milling. I'll keep y'all updated with what I choose or if I have more questions!

And I wish I could get a real set of heads, but I don't have anywhere close to enough money. It'll leave me room for improvement in the future! This is a learning/first time budget build.

 

If I swapped the pistons what would go into that? new rings, bearings? Would it have to be balanced at a shop?

 

I am going to further the advice of going with a nice set of heads. They really do make the difference. Save the pennies if you have to, better to do it right once than wrong twice. Usually cheaper too.

 

I'm going to leave the stock heads alone except for the ls6 springs for now. I will get real heads a while down the road, that way I can get a bigger cam as well. Im not looking for extreme numbers...yet! Just more than the 200 from my 3.8 v6 lol.

Is balancing required for new pistons? Or do I just slap them on and go?