Going to do Heads/ Cam. Looking for Cylinder Head CNC Shop

[Foggy]

So I've decided to do a new cam on my 2014 6.2 Denali. Mostly because I want to get rid of the DOD/AFM crap.

The cam I ordered is from Gwatney Performance. It's a VVT cam for 6.2 Trucks/Suv

LLT1 VVT​

Cam Specs:21x/22x .55x/.55x 113+8

Well, since I have to have the heads off anyway... I 'd like to find a place to upgrade my existing heads
or possibly go with a new CNC head - gm or trickflow maybe...
I need the head to be the same architecture as stock so my Edelbrock Supercharger will still fit correctly...

By my research, I should install Iconele Exhaust valves since I'm SC'd.. And I don't need crazy springs,,, just
a bit better than the gm "blue" springs.....

SO Does anyone have any advice for me on this ??? Any experience...
This is my TOW Vehicle, so that's why I'm using a baby camshaft.. I want to keep efficiency but have power
in reserve for towing AND just when I want to hit the Loud Pedal !!!!

 

[iamdub]

Unless you plan on considerably more boost, you might not need to mod the cylinder heads. Sure, hogging them out would allow more volume. But, there's a chance this would negatively affect the flow when not in boost, such as normal cruising. There might be some small shortcomings in the 823 heads as far as peak HP with boost, but you don't wanna hurt your cruising torque chasing it. You plan to pulley down that E-Force?

 

[THarber]

You will need to be careful on the spring rates or the VVT is not going to work right. I'd personally eliminate it all and save the aggravation, your blower is going to more than compensate for anything the VVT would help with down low.

As for the heads, also no need to go that route for your application. You can get them freshened up with a nice valve job but CNC and porting really only helps in the upper RPM's. Once you change heads, cam, valves and springs then you really need to be knowledgeable about how to set up proper pushrod length too. Its not a slap in and go job.

Best of luck

Tim

 

[Foggy]

I'm waiting to even order pushrods until the end.... And I've been reading alot
on the LS3 cylinder heads...
There are a couple of places that just do a "performance rebuild".. So Hogging them
out is def off the table at this point..
Frankenstein performance in TX looks like they have good reviews, etc

On the springs, I def am going to stay with a high quality single beehive style...
I just need a "little better" than the GM blue spring to handle my lift
and don't want to negatively affect the VVT operation as well.

I appreciate the input... keep it coming !!!

 

[Foggy]

Unless you plan on considerably more boost, you might not need to mod the cylinder heads. Sure, hogging them out would allow more volume. But, there's a chance this would negatively affect the flow when not in boost, such as normal cruising. There might be some small shortcomings in the 823 heads as far as peak HP with boost, but you don't wanna hurt your cruising torque chasing it. You plan to pulley down that E-Force?

I do have a smaller (than supplied) pulley for the EForce Charger... I've actually been using it
just because I could never find the perfect length belt (the one supplied was way too short).
It changed the top boost # by about 1.5 psi

 

[randeez]

look at dedicated motorsports, they do a cnc head porting exchange. ie, they have cnc heads done on the shelf. you send yours, they inspect and send you back some already done

this is with frankenstein cnc porting, theres a stage 1 and 2, the stage 2 includes all new valves, double springs, retainers, assembly. not sure what the stage 1 includes

 

[Geotrash]

I'm waiting to even order pushrods until the end.... And I've been reading alot
on the LS3 cylinder heads...
There are a couple of places that just do a "performance rebuild".. So Hogging them
out is def off the table at this point..
Frankenstein performance in TX looks like they have good reviews, etc

On the springs, I def am going to stay with a high quality single beehive style...
I just need a "little better" than the GM blue spring to handle my lift
and don't want to negatively affect the VVT operation as well.

I appreciate the input... keep it coming !!!

Brian Tooley makes a set of beehive springs that are designed to handle .560 lift. They are well-regarded and seem to hold up very well over time. They're the ones I used for my build.

 

[jmil1974]

Advanced Induction, Texas Speed, BTR, or Mamo Motorsports. I like Mast too but if I am going top dollar, it's Mamo all the way. Me personally, I would go AI or Texas Speed.

 

[pwtr02ss]

I got my heads from Wilkes performance. They offer complete heads or the cnc service on yours. I was very happy with mine. I bought a complete set vs sending mine in to save time. @Dantheman1540 sent a set to them and is happy as far as I know. It did take them FOREVER to get his back to him though

 

[Dantheman1540]

I got my heads from Wilkes performance. They offer complete heads or the cnc service on yours. I was very happy with mine. I bought a complete set vs sending mine in to save time. @Dantheman1540 sent a set to them and is happy as far as I know. It did take them FOREVER to get his back to him though

Yep the quality is fantastic and it made a noticeable improvement in power, especially in the higher rpm. Couldn’t be more pleased with the service other than the 2-4 weeks was more like months.

 

[91RS]

PSI 1511 valve springs. It is a Beehive design so easy to deal with and I could not find a reported failure of their springs. I found plenty from PAC springs.

Cylinder head work is expensive and if you're supercharged, I honestly wouldn't bother unless you're making a race truck and need that extra 20hp.

 

[Foggy]

To follow up on this unfinished project (almost done)
My local ish shop was able to to do some mild work on my stock
heads. I think I'll be very happy with what they did.
I used some PAC springs by trick flow : https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tfs-16915-16
I believe they will work well with my GPI VVT Cam and still be "weak" enough so
that the VVT will still work properly..
Found out last weekend that my Head Studs were boxed incorrectly, so I just got the
new ARP head studs delivered today... Hope I can get everything back together in
the next couple of days...
Then to figure out the tune stuff