Head Gasket Recommendation
#1
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Medford, Oregon
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1989 Iroc Z L98
Head Gasket Recommendation
What head gaskets do you guys recommend for someone swapping a set of Vortec heads onto a stock L98 short block? I will also be running an LT4 cam (or similar), and am hoping to make 350-400 horsepower.
Thanks!
Thanks!
#2
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Bright, IN
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: '86 Bird, 96 ImpalaSS, 98 C1500XCab
Engine: LG4, LT1, L31
Transmission: 700R4, 4L60E, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Tors, 4.88 spool, 3.73 Eaton
Re: Head Gasket Recommendation
With that hp goal, I have to assume you're talking LT4 Hotcam and not LT4 production cam. With that said, you need all the compression you can get with the stock block deck height, so run .015" steel shim gaskets. Check block and head decks for flatness!
#3
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Medford, Oregon
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1989 Iroc Z L98
Re: Head Gasket Recommendation
I could also mill the heads down to 58 cc, I just don't want to run into any piston to valve clearance issues.
So your suggestion is shim gaskets? I had concerns about running them on a high mileage motor, mostly the block being flat, do you think it will be an issue?
#4
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: San Antonio TX
Posts: 2,516
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Car: 1990 G92 IROC Z Miniram
Engine: 388cu 6.4 Liters
Transmission: G-Force T5
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Gears
Re: Head Gasket Recommendation
Yeah LT4 hot cam is what I am looking at. The stock heads are 64 cc and my stock compression ratio is 9.3:1. 218/228 @ .050 with a 112 lsa isn't that big for about 9.5:1 don't you think?
I could also mill the heads down to 58 cc, I just don't want to run into any piston to valve clearance issues.
So your suggestion is shim gaskets? I had concerns about running them on a high mileage motor, mostly the block being flat, do you think it will be an issue?
I could also mill the heads down to 58 cc, I just don't want to run into any piston to valve clearance issues.
So your suggestion is shim gaskets? I had concerns about running them on a high mileage motor, mostly the block being flat, do you think it will be an issue?
#5
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Bright, IN
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: '86 Bird, 96 ImpalaSS, 98 C1500XCab
Engine: LG4, LT1, L31
Transmission: 700R4, 4L60E, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Tors, 4.88 spool, 3.73 Eaton
Re: Head Gasket Recommendation
Are those dished pistons in that L98? If so, you're looking at about 9.5 CR with .015 gaskets and 64cc chambers, which is not enough for the Hotcam. I'd mill them to 58cc or less, still run the .015 gasket for good quench, degree the cam in at a 106-107 ICL, not the 109 that it normally "drops in" at, and you'll get a better overall power curve.
Yes, the stock L31 Vortecs use a .026" steel shim gasket.
No, you are nowhere near piston-to-valve contact with that cam, no matter how thin a gasket you run and no matter how far you mill the heads (at least to the point just short of destroying them )
Yes, the stock L31 Vortecs use a .026" steel shim gasket.
No, you are nowhere near piston-to-valve contact with that cam, no matter how thin a gasket you run and no matter how far you mill the heads (at least to the point just short of destroying them )
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ambainb
Camaros for Sale
11
04-25-2016 09:21 PM
3rd gen money
Tech / General Engine
5
09-08-2015 11:40 PM
355tpipickup
Tech / General Engine
49
08-27-2015 08:13 AM
NinjaNife
Tech / General Engine
27
08-23-2015 11:49 AM