Looking for some people's input on what kind of heads and pushrods to go with on my setup for my 2005 CCSB Z71. I bought a used 5.3 just for the heads, and they were cracked Castech's... just like the ones in my truck. So I figured while I had the block I sent it off to my neighbor get reworked. He works at a reputable machine shop in town and did the following:

- bored .020" over (approximately a 5.4 now)
- polished crank
- all new livernois internals
- added a COMP Camshaft 54-412-11 (advertised Duration 265/271, lift .522/.529)

I just need to track down some heads, make sure they have good springs, order some pushrods, rockers, and then start on the TC and tranny.

What do you guys suggest for heads? I really want some 243's, comp cams 918 springs, comp pushrods, and possibly the old rockers.

Are my old rockers going to work? They're just stock, no extreme wear on them.

Just looking for some input before I start buying things left and right. Always trying to get things right the first time. Thanks!

 

How much money do you want to spend?

Welcome to the forums!

 

Doesn't really matter. But I'm not shooting for extreme performance. I just cracked a head, and figured I would build a new powertrain that will have some kick and last me a few years. I'm shooting for mid to lo 13's with this truck. It will be pushed down the track maybe a dozen times, but my lightning did a 13.9 stock in my first ever pass with it, so that's my comparison.

 

to accomplish a mid to low 13 in a ccsb z71 with a 5.3 you need some type of forced induction
Big heavy truck with only a 5.3!

 

Maybe I'll just stick to high 13, low 14's. I've heard people with ECSB running 13's with just the cam and some small upgrades, whether this is true is another story.

 

ecsb 2wd yep mine runs 13s all day but thats less weight of your 4x4 and them xtra 2 full size doors you packing
If i was you i would pick up a used magnacharger 112 for $25-3000.

 

I don't want to get too crazy with it. That's for later. When I pull the motor that's in there now... it will get the wallet thrown at it. And one day I will pick up a RCSB to drop it in. But next year I finally start my 4 year stretch of university for mechanical engineering. So I'll have plenty of time to aquire parts for that build. But for the meantime I just want a stout, N/A truck that is capable of keeping up with some cars.

Any ideas for the heads?

 

There's a few sets of 243's for sale here and on tech right now..

As far as breaking into 13's.. Its gonna take a short tire and 4.10's with full bolton's to manage that with a 5.3 IMO..
Ive got a 243 headed ls1 with a 216/220 cam with boltons 3.73's and a 32" tire and its real low 14's on a good day....

 

I have 4.10's and a spare set of stock 16" rims with 265/75's on them. I don't expect to beat the time of my supercharged, half fibergalss, rcsb street truck. But it would be nice to come somewhere near it's time. I'm just wondering what set of heads to run. I don't want to do a set of ported 716's, just because if I buy them already ported, I can't guarantee the port job, and to find a set of non-castech 716's, and find a place to port them is next to impossible in my area.

 

Buy a set of heads from texas speed or wcch sponsors to the right of your screen they'll perform and plus you'll want a mill job for bump in compression