I have to replace a head gasket on my 92 Z28 5.7L and I was wondering if it would make sense to try a different set of heads to get slightly more power. I understand that in order to take full advantage of different heads it would require a different cam, but without any other modification, would a different set of heads do much for it? I'm not looking to go drag racing with it, but I would be happy gaining 20 HP which would realistically put it back to the same HP as it was when it was new.

I think the 92 Corvette has the same L98 engine, but it came with aluminum heads. Would that be a viable option and, if so, would they fit without any modification? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

Aluminum heads won't buy you much, if anything. Most of the power gain from the Vette over f-body was better exhaust.

To get a power gain with heads and nothing else, you'd need some pretty good heads, like AFR or Twisted Flow. Or, Vortec heads, but those would require a different intake (base, at least).

 

Its funny how everyone told me to find a set of 113 heads so I got a set for 150 bucks an now the heads aren't even that great like really jeeezzz Its all about the vortec heads these days

 

Thanks, guys. It looks like it will just be a visit to the machine shop to clean up my existing heads before they go back on.

 

You can use the L98 Vette aluminum heads (save about 50lbs) and maybe pickup 10hp with no other changes, probably 25 to 35 if they are ported. You can use the intake base for the Vette for either that car's heads or for any "normal" SBC heads, so your options are not limited by your present intake base. You can also use TFS, Brodix, AFR, Dart, or any other SBC heads on your motor as they will all bolt up.