Hey guys, here's my problem. I have a 88 IROC with a L98. The driver's side head has a crack on cylinder #5 Exhaust valve seat. I need to source another head. I honestly dont know what other heads I can use. The casting numbers on the heads I have is 14101083. I'm looking to get this car running again and would like some input on what I should do. I'm not looking for high performance.


Also, am I able to switch heads around. Like a pass head on the driver's side? Someone mentioned I can do that but I'm not sure.

 

The heads are interchangable, side to side. Theres no 'left' or 'right' head. You'll need to do one of two things in your situation -

A) Find another 083 head you can use.

B) replace BOTH heads with a matching set. This way, you can use a different factory or aftermarket set if you want, as you are not limitted to the 083 casting.

 

Thanks for your response man! Is there anything I should look for when choosing new heads? I don't want to hurt performance.

 

You are fortune with the 350 engine as there are many heads to choose from. Things to consider will be some of the following:

• Head material type i.e. aluminium or cast iron
• Intake and exhaust runner volume and shape
• Combustion chamber volume your stock ones are 64cc
• What compression ratio do you want to produce
• Valve size
• Maximum valve lift
• The ability of the head to mate to the stock or after market intake manifolds
• EGR passages to accommodate the EGR valve
• Does the head come CNC machined and do you want to do further porting/polishing
• Do you want to make horsepower or torque
• Price
• Many other factors

Make sure you do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions before you spend any money. Lucky you have found the right place to do both.

 

Thanks for your input buddy! But I am currently looking for a set of factory stock heads to put on the car to get it running again. I dont have the money to spend on performance heads. Preferably I'm looking for a 083 head to throw on so I can match it with the one good one I have. Or a matching set of heads with a different casting number that would work. Also I would like to add that my motor is .040 over.

 

Another option for you is to look for a set of Corvette aluminum L98 heads. They were used on a motor that was otherwise the same, except it had aluminum heads instead of your cast iron ones. The casting number is 113. They came on the '87-91 TPI Corvettes. They do have a little smaller combustion chambers, so the compression will go from about 9.5:1 that you have now, to 10:1.

These heads are a good option for a TPI engine, and can be found fairly cheap on Ebay or other classified places. $300-500 for a set is about average.

 

The L98 Corvette heads have their own problems, they're not a direct bolt on for f-body engines. I'd stick to finding another set of 1083 heads, then buying a set of aftermarket aluminum ones when you get more money.

 

Check your PM's i've got a set of 083s I'm willing to sell cheap. I was origanlly going to do a budget build and try my hand at porting a set of stockers but i got a promotion at work so performance parts have become a possibility