Plenty of performance engine builders have turned to the trusty GM LS3 engine as the foundation for serious power. And it’s easy to see why: Combine a healthy displacement with a cam swap and a power adder like boost, and you’ll drop some jaws at the dyno.
But to truly take advantage of the LS3’s potential, you’ll need to address airflow. For that, we turn to the cylinder head experts at Trick Flow® and their GenX® 280 HIP square port cylinder heads.
To understand these heads, you’ll need to get HIP with some terminology first—Hot Isostatic Pressed, that is.
The HIP casting process increases density for improved tensile strength while reducing the risk of failure. Speaking of strength, these TFS LS3 heads feature Trick-Alloy™ powdered metal valve guides the boast excellent durability, heat resistance, oil retention, and better valve seal contact.
Then, Trick Flow fits these suckers with Manley NK-844 Severe Duty intake and XH 432 Extreme Duty Inconel exhaust valves, which are tested and proven to handle the heat and pressure that comes with a power adder like boost.
Trick Flow sells these heads either fully assembled and as bare castings, if you want to install your own custom valve/spring combo. Click the part numbers below for pricing and availability.
- TFS-3261T04-HC01 – Trick Flow GenX 280 Cylinder Heads for GM LS3, Fully Assembled
- TFS-3261B04-HC01 – Trick Flow GenX 280 Cylinder Heads for GM LS3, Bare Casting
We’ll toss some more design and airflow specs below, but the Summit Racing folks stopped by the Trick Flow booth at the 2024 PRI Show to really get HIP with these heads. You can check out the interview below.
Trick Flow GenX 280 Cylinder Heads for GM LS3 Specifications
- CNC Competition Ported 280cc intake ports and 87cc exhaust ports
- CNC-ported 67cc combustion chambers
- 2.165 inch intake and 1.600 inch exhaust valves
- 1.300 inch dual valve springs rated for up to 0.650 inches of valve lift
- Clearance for 3/8 inch pushrods
- 0.750 inch thick decks
- 6-bolt-per-cylinder mounting
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