That's the ported head. I think you can get the stock head with upgraded valve springs for around $1200-$1300.

 

Nah, only head around that price on their site is the LSJ ported head. You can get a new stock head for 300 but there isn't an option for upgraded valve springs. I went through that before and just rechecked.

 

I have the ported ZZP head w/cams and love it. My wife bitched at me too, but I didn't care.. it's my way or the highway baby, and that's all there is to it :P I wear the pants and won't allow a woman to run my life anymore, but that's just me speaking from experience.
Also, I wouldn't be shifting at 6500 either.. after I had mine fixed it never went above 6400 and factory redline is 6300 or 6350 if I'm not mistaken. 6400 blew them again and it wasn't a NLS either. Did you at least upgrade the springs and check your cams for any damage? Usually no damage is done, but since mine went at only 6400ish, I figured it was better to just change the whole damn head. It cost me a pretty penny, but the car's beast now. Now if only it wasn't -36, I could update my tune again and just see how much stronger it is again from last week lol. /sigh I hate winter.

 

You can call and get the upgraded springs put on the stock head.

 

Hell, might as well do it yourself then. All you need is the valve spring compressor tool, compression tester, and an air compressor with a regulator. Most people have compressors and $300 for the stock head plus labor to install the springs when you can spend less than half that on a compression tester and ohc valve spring compressor.

 

I've got an air compressor. I don't know how successful I would be at installing the cams, though.

 

You'll have to pull the cams to do valve springs anyways, just mark the cam gears on both the timing chain and gear. If you pull the chain tensioner it will be easy to hold up the cam gear with something. Then install the cam the same way you pulled the old one off. Only one bolt holds the cam gear/phaser onto the cam itself. I bought the cam gear tool for GM Ecotecs such as the LSJ, but it doesn't work on gears with cam phasers so I'm going to fabricate a claw with my welder to use with the tool and hold the gear up so I have no worries. There are other ways to hold the gear up like zip tieing the chain to the gear and a clothes hanger, but I'll let you know how it goes!

 

I got installed the springs and retainer kit ZZP offers and still experienced a broken exhaust valve due to a broken lash, the roller came out of place and got between the cam lobe and spring retainer. Is there a aftermaket solution to avoid this from happening?