Unleashing the LS Beast: A Deep Dive into Cylinder Head Performance

From Car Craft, Nov 12, 2009: >>>Read the full article here.<<<

The Team at Hot Rod recently strapped a custom-built 404 cubic inch LS engine, nicknamed "Lester," to the dyno with high hopes of hitting 575 horsepower. While they fell slightly short of their target due to a conservative compression ratio for future forced induction plans, Lester still managed to impress with a stout 560 horsepower. The key to unlocking big power from LS engines lies in their exceptional cylinder heads. They tested a variety of options, including stock 6.0L heads, CNC-ported 6.0L heads, and two different sets of L92 heads known for their large intake ports.

Their testing revealed that while the L92 heads offer impressive flow numbers, they could benefit from additional exhaust port work to maximize power. Surprisingly, the stock L92 heads, despite being affordable and readily available, demonstrated excellent potential. Ultimately, they achieved their best results with a combination of L92 heads and careful camshaft selection. While the CNC-ported L92 heads provided a slight power increase, the additional cost may not be justified for most enthusiasts. Their dyno testing has shown that with the right components and tuning, the LS engine platform can deliver exceptional performance. Stay tuned for future updates as they continue to explore the limits of this powerful engine!