I am looking for some help with an up coming head swap and have a few questions. My AWD 2005 Silverado SS just turned 170000 miles (all original drivetrain) the truck still runs like the day it was new, but I am thinking its time for a partial rebuild because I am planing a trick turbo kit soon, my plan is as follows.


Drivetrain
-New built trans
-rebuilt/beefed up rear end
-Probably leave the transfer case and front diff alone, thoughts?
Engine
-Replace cylinder heads with ported ones
-New lifters
-New pushrods
-New timing set
-New oil pump
-replace all gaskets

First thing I am going to do is heads, I am very inexpirenced actually working on engines so pulling the engine for a full rebuild is out of the question. I have done a ton of reading on here and feel comfortable enough to atempt a head swap here is my idea tell me what you think.

I am going to grab some 317 heads from the junkyard clean them up then port and polish them myself then instal new valve seats, seals COMP 918 springs (good for boost?) new retainers and keepers as well as new pushrods ,lifters, and rockers. I am going to do some ARP headstuds well they are off and new head gaskets (what head gaskets are best for boost?) thats all I can think of involving the headswap am i missing anything? Are there any tricks or tips before I attemp this? Thanks.

 

Have you p&p'd before? If not, IMHO you're going to come out ahead by just buying a set of ported 317s. It's not easy, and getting it wrong will either ruin the head, or lead to poorly performing head.

Not for nuthin' but your truck has 317s already. I assume you are keeping the stockers?

For boost, you will need to go through the bottom end also.

 

Welcome to the forum!!! You have alot of reading to do. There are plenty of threads around about home porting heads, Gaskets, and how to swap the parts you mentioned.

I would recommend starting with the turbo kit first. You may also want to considering building another engine while your enjoying the new turbo. You're most likely going to max out what the stock engine is capable of handling before you will see any benefits from a ported head with forced induction. You will probably also fry the trans and the transfer case in the meantime as well.

 

Im doing a rear mount on my SS pm me if you got any questions and also join silveradoSS.com great info there for the SS's and great people

 

Thanks for the input, I will be sure to pm you if I need some help. I am also on silveradoSS.com (jroc)

 

170,000 miles... you need all new bearings in that motor

 

I say go ahead and do the trans, but leave everything else and slap the turbo on. There are plenty of guys running turbos on high mileage engines making a ton of power.