Internal Engine sucks ... they don't respond quick enough.

Had a mishap with the pen magnet and a lifter and had to pull the head, explained in more detail in my other thread.

What abou thte stock head bolts?

 

Do not reuse a stock head gasket,the only reusable head gaskets made of solid copper.LS1 head bolts are torque yielding and designed to stretch,can not be reused after being torqued.

 

If I didn't know any better, it looks like these are copper. It may have been the oil on them though, but they had a copper color to them.

So ... if they are copper, it's ok?

 

I don't think so. Those are the stock MLS (multii-layer steel) gaskets. You need at change them. New bolts too.

 

Hey, you should find a set of stock LS1 heads and install them. You already have to buy gaskets and bolts. A stock set should be pretty cheap, then you could sell your 5.3 heads, and probably make a few bucks. You are already in there doing the work, it wouldn't take any more time.

Compression ratio would drop to around 8.9:1 and you'd gain the benefit of the larger LS1 intake valve. More boost, more timing, less detonation. That Radix would be ROCKIN!!!

 

Big TEX...Forgive my ignorance, but I thought our trucks with the 5.3 did have LS1 HEads???? Or are you telling him to get some LS1 Vette heads? I was just wondering because I assumed my heads were aluminum LS1 heads, being it's an LS1 5.3 and I don't wanna waste my time haveing it P&P'ed and Stage 1'ed if I can just get a better head for cheap!!

TIA!! Ryan

 

You have LM7 5.3 heads. The true LS1 comes with a LS1 head, just as the LS6 has an LS6, and a LQ4 has LQ4 heads. Some motors run the same head - 4.8 / 5.3s do as do both LQ4 and LQ9 6 liters (don get me started on this one).

The 5.3 heads have smaller chambers for higher compression on the smaller truck motor. By installing a LS1 head, he won't gain that much more flow, but will be able to drop compression, which is very good for forced induction.

 

I just got off the phone with Thunder Racing. They are checking on a set of heads too. I am ordering a head stud kit and cometic gaskets either way. Budget is a main concern on this since I already spent about 732 and another 23 for pen magnets I didn't need after all, which comes to about 755 more than I needed to spend.

The head studs are 200 bucks, so ... if I won't have to sell my third nut for the heads I will get them.

Good idea though BigTex ... I didn't think about that. All I thought about was getting a set of Patriot heads, but that would have been way to expensive for right now.

 

Check the classifieds section. I'm sure someone in the north texas area has a stock set of LS1 heads for sale. Expect to pay between $200-$250. Then your take off 5.3 heads should fetch that much.

 

I checked and didn't see any that weren't sold already.

I'm still waiting on Thunder to call back. I'm gonna call them back if I don't hear from them soon. I have got to get the parts out today. I need to get it all back together as soon as I can so I can get out of the guys shop I'm in. He is restoring an old Mustang, and I''m in his way.