Ferocity02

iTrader: (60)

Need some head advice from you experts. My build is an '01 Silverado ESCB with a 5.3L motor. It will get a small turbo cam (210-220 <0.600" lift) but otherwise stock. I am planning on putting in head studs to increase reliability. The turbo will be 70-76mm and I'm looking for 500-600 rwhp.

Since I am putting in head studs I figure I could just replace the heads while I'm at it, but I don't want to spend too much obviously. I know the stock heads will get me my goal, but maybe some slightly bigger heads will make it easier to reach the goal.

Looking for a set with valves under $500. Keep around the same compression ratio for daily driving out of boost. And I need to be able to use the stock cathedral port truck intake with EGR for smog time. Unless I'm wrong, there aren't any rectangular port intakes out there with EGR. They need to be compatible with the 5.3L bore too.

So what heads would you guys recommend with these requirements in mind? I'm thinking milled LS1 heads, but maybe that's not even worth my time.

Thanks.

trav-tech

iTrader: (1)

243's are your only real option. will drop the comp 9.1to1 with 5.3 dish pistons.

Adam Connell

Either stock, or find a local shop to do a good valve job and MAYBE a little porting... you really don't need to do anything to them.

LS1NOVA

iTrader: (12)

If you really want to spend money on heads, pick up a set of 799's from a newer 5.3. Around $300-400. Id leave it as is.

gnx7

iTrader: (28)

the pre-05 engines have LS1 style rods which beyond about 650rwhp will potentially bend/fail over time. I think for your goals spend the extra money on a quality turbo instead.

Put on some dual valvesprings with lightweight retainers and call it a day. If they have high miles you may want to replace the guides and have a valvejob done. You should also rebuild the factory rockers with a Comp Cams trunion rebuild kit as they are prone to failure with factory parts.

Port the stock TB if you haven't had it done already.

The difference in getting a set of ported heads will be the same as running 1-2 more psi of boost.

Can you get e85 in your area? If so set up the engine to run that fuel. 106 octane rocks for under $3/gallon.

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

Get stock 243/799 with dual springs and hardened pushrods, of course ls9 gaskets.

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

Get a quality turbo like a tc78 and a good wg like a evolution or tial

w94rx7tt

iTrader: (1)

The setup in my sig was good for a little over 600 on 10lbs . The stock 5.3 heads will be fine for what you want. I say spend the money elsewhere like others have already stated.

AlterEgo

iTrader: (9)

Im in a similar situation but I have a 4.8 with the crack prone 706 heads... its a 2005 with less than 70k miles on it, "supposedly".. what would anyone recommend for me? I also plan to turbo with ls2 / TBSS intake, 92mm tb, ls2 injectors, probably ls6 cam....

Adam Connell

https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-in...rbo-4-8-a.html

^ dude we already answered your question... I have never heard of any LS style head having any issues cracking, so I'm not real sure where you are getting your information. I'd appreciate if if you'd either post up some cases of these heads cracking, or quit spreading that kind of information. You are the only person I have ever seen talking about any of these heads "cracking".

I am completely open to the fact that I may have missed something, but otherwise you're gunna need to cite your sources man...

AlterEgo

iTrader: (9)

Like i said before I read it "somewhere" about them but I do not remember exactly where.. HOWEVER, I did a quick 1 minute google search about it since you are so passionate about this subject and how you are pointing out other threads I have mentioned on this issue... Obviously I am not satisfied with the responses I have heard so I wanted to bring it back up... (Just like 85% of the other posters on LS1 tech!!!)

I can go on for days about this.!! All of these links are all on the very first page of my search in google!! All about a certain manufacturer and the 706 heads... I know just about every big company has more than 1 manufacturer however, this is STILL the main issue pertaining to the cracking and coolant leaking of the "706" HEADS!!!!

http://www.performancetrucks.net/for...-heads-473476/

6th post down..
http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/arch.../t-213566.html

here is a PDF file about the issue..
http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/Bl...t_loss_5.3.pdf

someone else OBVIOUSLY hearing about it...
http://www.silveradosierra.com/vorte...ack-t8335.html

9th post down!
http://www.speedtalk.com/forum/viewt...hp?f=1&t=28519

(THERE ARE MANY MORE LINKS, BUT I CHOSE TO STOP HERE JUST TO SHOW YOU WHAT YOU HAVE MISSED!)

AlterEgo

iTrader: (9)

Lastly, yes I am very concerned about the heads I have on my new motor and on the fact if I want to risk running them or not... Now I am very open to what you or anyone else has to say on this matter because I am not going to use junk if I do not have too........

Adam Connell

Well I was wrong!!! I had not heard anything about this... that's a big deal right there. Thanks for clearing that up!

slow67

iTrader: (2)

The only ones I'm aware of:
http://www.performancetrucks.net/for...-crack-473251/

a4ls2goat

I'm running 706 heads with out issues on my 5.3. Same with denmah.

i have read about the issue, but i said eff it. and so far so good.

AlterEgo

iTrader: (9)

I said F it too and went ahead and bought the motor with plans on swapping heads. (problem solved..) But it is still hit or miss... I am just thinking about it because of all the boost imma run on it stock! I going to pull the valve covers and inspect just so I will know if these are still good for now or not..

turbocamaro125

iTrader: (3)

I work at a chevy dealer and have only seen 2 cases of the 706 heads having a problem. I have a set of 706 heads that are cracked and leaking coolant but it took like 6 months to leak a quart of coolant.