2010 Camaro SS Heads - 2010 Camaro: The Next Push

After running a 12.27 at 114.54 mph with the Tune Time Performance '10 Camaro SS in the October issue, we (like most folks), wanted more power and lower e.t.'s. First, let's rewind and refresh so you know what we've done to this new Camaro (automatic trans, L99, 400hp).

The first thing on day one for the new F-body was baseline dyno and strip testing. It ran a strong 13.25 at 106.42mph at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey and spun the Tune Time Mustang dyno rollers to 328 rwhp, 335 lb-ft of torque). On that same track day, Matt Hauffe (owner of Tune Time Performance) plugged in his laptop and tuned his Camaro to an elapsed time of 12.94 at 108.39 mph. Next, after running 12s, the Tune Time crew treated the Camaro to SLP headers/exhaust and a Mast Motorsports VVT (variable valve timing) camshaft package. The headers/exhaust, cam and tuning shot the power up to 406 rwhp at 6,300 rpm with 378 lb-ft at 4,600 rpm. The summary of those modifications at the strip was to lower the e.t to 12.27 at 114.54.

Since we were already using a Mast Motorsports camshaft package (cam, valve springs, titanium retainers and cam phaser limiter), we figured why not use its Black Label LS3/L99/L92 cylinder heads? The MM Black Label heads are at the forefront of technology featuring CNC'd ports and combustion chambers. Out of the box, these heads outflow stock rectangular port LS3/L99/L92 heads by large numbers (see the flow charts).

Mast Motosports offers fully CNC-ported heads for small (3.900-3.930), medium (4.000-4.070) and large bore (4.125-4.200) LS motors for those wanting to step-up to high-flow/horsepower rectangular port castings. For this test, we tried the Mast medium bore heads PN 510-201. (Note: LS3/L99s have a 4.065 bore). The intake valve is the stock LS3/L99/L92 size, 2.165-inch. The exhaust is slightly larger at 1.600-inch (1.590 is stock). Both valves are 0.700-inch longer. Notice the back-cut on the intake valve seat-it increases low- to mid-lift flow, which improves low-end torque and throttle response.

Mast Motosports offers fully CNC-ported heads for small (3.900-3.930), medium (4.000-4.070

Once we assembled these beauties (valves, springs, spring locators, shims, seals, retainers and locks), we swapped them onto the L99 and witnessed a major power increase. Power jumped to 452 rwhp at 6,500 rpm and torque climbed to 400 lb-ft at 4,600 rpm. With those great gains (46 hp and 22 lb-ft) we were antsy to hit the track the following day.

Also during this head-swap, we wanted to try out the new FAST LSXR 102mm intake manifold. It's an excellent intake designed for larger cubic inch and forced induction LS engines with LS3/L99/L92 rectangular port heads and we wanted to see if we'd see any benefit in our application. We installed the FAST 102mm intake the night before our scheduled track test and peak power increased by 4 hp and 5 lb-ft of torque. The downside is that we lost power in the first half of the powerband. Matt tried to restore the lost power (7 to 8hp) in the low to mid range rpm (2,500 to 5,500), but it wasn't happening with our combination. Other independent tests using the LSXR 102mm intake on a 376ci and a 500ci LS engine have reported gains of 16 hp and 26 hp respectively over a stock intake. Our present configuration just wasn't ready for the big 102mm intake. We have future plans for this intake as we further modify the power output.

Our scheduled track date the following morning was a washout; in fact it rained for the next four days. In the meantime, we reinstalled the stock intake and ordered a custom-made set of Livewires spark plug wires from Performance Distributors (2 inches longer; the stock wires were too short thanks to the taller Mast heads). We also ordered a set of Mini VIP 18-volt step up regulators from PD. Again, Matt would retune on the dyno with the stock intake and new plug wires.

With the stock intake and the new Livewires installed, Matt once again tuned his Camaro until we were right back to 452 hp at the wheels. Now we could have a real-world strip-test of the MM Black Label heads. On the first pass, when the scoreboard lit up a 1.86, 60 feet (previous best was 1.93), we felt an 11-second time would flash on the scoreboard-and it did. The new F-body posted an 11.81 at 119.27 mph. Yes we were excited, especially considering the weight (4,050 pounds) and the stock torque converter and gearing (3.25:1). A hot-lap produced an 11.89 at 119.19 mph.