Ok I just order ZZP 2.5 downpipe, madmab shorty header, Injen CAI. I want to start looking into head options. I want something forged. What do you recommend? Would LSJ head on 2.2 worth it & would I get any gains? What are all my options? I plan on boosting later. Thanks

 

Most gains are porting it.

 

What I'm really wanting is a forged head. If I get it ported I will need all the forged parts for the head. Can I find all the pieces forged? Can I just get the LSJ head ported?

 

just get yours ported. what do you want forged? the rods are the first thing you should be worried about and they're not in the head...

 

Head doesnt need forging. Get some valve spring in there

 

Yeah I know the engine should be forged to. I have all the parts picked out for that. My question is about the head thanks. Why shouldn't I worry about the head? I'm sure there's a reason the LSJ came forged right. We don't have to do anything really but there's a word called reliable.

 

Ive had 2 motors blow up on me. Neither one was from a head problem. One spun a rod bearing, and the other.. well.. internal detonation is a good analogy.

 

Who said the LSJ head came forged?

 

I think he is a little confused on which parts in the LSJ engine are forged componets.

 

That's what the guy from GM told me?? So what parts are forged in LSJ head?

 

i used a patriot head.

 

Mine is stock with supertech valves and valve springs. You will not have to do anything with the head unless you wanted to go the N/A route, but even then just port and polish is the best option as far as heads go.

 

Nothing that I know of or that's advertised. There's no need for anything to be really. For gains, you just need to port it and maybe add cams. For boost, all you need are new springs, seats, and retainers and that's only for high boost.

 

Well thanks guys for all the input! I'm really interested in the patriot head. Evrytime I search google nothing comes up. Nothing at there website comes up on my phone. Does anyone have a link for the ptriot head?

 

seriously just get yours ported and polished and get new valve springs and seats and retainers and if you want cams

 

I'm pretty sure its been discontinued since it was intended for Cavaliers with the 2.2 Ecotec. IIRC our head doesn't become a restriction until 300whp.

If it was me I'd get a set of Comp cams and valvesprings and call it a day with the headwork.

 

if patriot wont do it contact these guys. M2 Race Systems Š - CNC Ported Cylinder Heads & Custom CNC Porting

 

Euthanasia ports heads

 

OP you are obsessed with a forged head or something and just ignoring all the advice really.

 

So your saying my forged head and forged cold air intake won't add 150hp???

 

I'm taking all this into consideration exept for your rude comment. Maybe I am obsessed with forged head and motors ha

 

Nothing in the head is forged. The head itself is aluminum. Then whatever metals are used for the valves, retainers, springs, etc. But I assure you that none of them are forged. The stock L61 head is good to 400hp with no need for modding it. It flows just fine up to those power levels. Even in an N/A application, you wont see any noticeable power gains out of porting and polishing the head. If you want a better flowing head for better performance, GM had a Sportsman Head for the L61 that they used several years ago in some of their race applications. Maybe look into that if you really feel you need to buy a new head.

 

What you'll want are forged INTERNALS. not a forged head. I say go for LSJ connecting rods and Diamond pistons. As for the head. If you have an 05-06, you can order the ported GM Performance L61 head, but it's pricey. If you have an 07-08, take the head to a machine shop and have it ported. Then get uprated valve springs. I believe Bates Engineering sells uprated OEM replacements. And then you can go for comp cams camshafts.

When deciding on piston compression ratios, it's a good idea to decide your overall goal. If you want to turbocharge or supercharge it, get low compression pistons. If you want to stay Naturally Aspirated, get high compression pistons, and a balance shaft delete or neutral balance shafts.

 

You don't want low compression pistons for a supercharger build. You will lose all low end torque

 

You want about 9.5:1 for a supercharger build. I think stock L61 are 10.5:1, so technically you would want lower compression ratio pistons from stock. Staying with a high compression piston on a boosted application could be pretty bad, especially on a DD.