LS3 Head options

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MechMan

Master Mechanic
Sep 13, 2018
337
139
43
Kingsport, TN
I am looking into building a LS3 non stroker natually aspirated for a 4th gen Monte SS. My goal is 600 Crank horse power or as close as I can come. I was leaning towards the Chevy performance heads https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-88958758 due to it seems like a good deal but my buddy sugested geting cores and having them custom built. I havent figured out the cam yet. what is everyone's suggestions on this? Are the Chevy heads good, would the custom route be the best way to go, or is there another brand that I should look at?
 

Northernregal

Sloppy McRodbender
Oct 24, 2017
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Red Deer, Northern Montana territory
Factory cast 821 or 823 heads are tough to beat for square port heads. Those heads at summit are pretty good value, i would set my goal at 550hp at the crank, i think 600 NA would be tough without more displacement. What else are you looking at for the combo? That might help get you good advice here.
 
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MechMan

Master Mechanic
Sep 13, 2018
337
139
43
Kingsport, TN
Factory cast 821 or 823 heads are tough to beat for square port heads. Those heads at summit are pretty good value, i would set my goal at 550hp at the crank, i think 600 NA would be tough without more displacement. What else are you looking at for the combo? That might help get you good advice here.
I am sorry I am not exactly sure what you mean by combo. I havent figured out the camshaft yet and was looking at a rotating assembly from the WS6 store. it comes with a stock LS3 crank and slightly domed piston to get compression up to at least 11:1.
 

Northernregal

Sloppy McRodbender
Oct 24, 2017
3,359
12,826
113
Red Deer, Northern Montana territory
Combo would be cam, heads, compression, intake, trans, rear gear, weight etc.....

If your goal is just 600hp crank and you make it at 7500rpm it's not gonna be a great street car because it'll probably wont make much under 3000 and be grumpy to drive with an OD trans on the highway. What do you want to do?
 
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MechMan

Master Mechanic
Sep 13, 2018
337
139
43
Kingsport, TN
I am looking to use it for street and strip. As i said before not sure on the cam yet ( know that is a big part of the puzzle I am missing) looking to run a 12 bolt with 3:73 gears. Weight will be close to stock. 99.9% sure I will convert it to the T56 Magnum manual. Not looking to run the motor at 7500K. Right now looing at stock LS3 intake with a 92mm throttle body. I am not married to any number, I would like around 500 wrhp and torque but I also realize that there are limitations with the items I have chosen. So I would like to get as close as I can to the 600 crank mark.
 

Northernregal

Sloppy McRodbender
Oct 24, 2017
3,359
12,826
113
Red Deer, Northern Montana territory
If you are sticking to a stock intake don't waste money on ported heads. If you aren't spinning into 7k plus, double don't bother. Your intake won't supply more than 300 or so CFM. Good for about 490hp. Spray a 100 on it, you'll get what you want.
 
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