MawneeC5

iTrader: (12)

After a trip to the track, I've decided I want some better heads. BUT, I've got to avoid completely pissing off the wife since I"m already in the doghouse from the last round of mods So I"m eyeing cheaper options.

I've noticed alot of 6.0 (317) heads going pretty cheap lately. And from what I understand, they are similar to LS6 heads, but with a bigger chamber. So a few questions.

Can I just have the 6.0s milled a tad to bring the compression back up far enough without getting too dangerous on the Piston/valve clearance ?

Also how far can I go without causing intake fitment issues ?

Will this affect the pushrods I need ?

Anyone here running these heads on an LS1 N/A with any input ?

I'm also toying with the idea of doing a mild P&P job on them myself before I install them. I"m wondering if anyone has any comments on that idea. I Know my way around a tool box and from what I understand, as long as I take my time and reseach its not that bad. And since the heads are pretty inexpensive...I"m not risking too much

Thanks in advance for any input guys


My car is:
98 C5 6spd silver (faster! )
MTI 221/221 .575/.575 112 (Still stock tune,for now)
Comp 918s w/ Ti retainters
Fidanza Aluminum Flywheel and ZO6 clutch
High flow cats, Borla Stingers
Dual cone filter

Richard@WCCH

iTrader: (3)

You'd need to mill the 6.0l heads approx. .030" to get the chamber back to stock LS1 size. You won't run into any fitment issues with that much milling. While the ports are very similar to the LS6 heads, the chamber design is way different. IMO running N/A you would do better by starting with a pair of LS6 heads unless you're going to add a blower at some point. It's worth the extra expense.

Good luck,

Richard

conan

iTrader: (5)

Just a thought, you could get some headers and a tune. That will get you closer to where you want to be untill you have the $$ to get the heads you really want not just the cheapest option.

99sprayjunkie

Well I have the LQ9s on wy car and heres my 2 cents. I cleaned them up by handsanding the runners. Added some cheap springs, Ti retainers, and a good valve job. Running an 02 LS6 cam and intake it makes 325 at the wheels w/ a half *** tune, no headers, and through the A4. Only downfall is it seems a little soft under 2000 rpm, probagly not a big deal w/ a big cam and a six speed. Back to back, on the same dyno w/ sim. conditions, I made 297 w/ stock H/C, 324 w/ new setup and LS1 intake, should be 10-15 better now w/ LS6 intake, even more when i get some headers. BTW, I have a total of about $600 in the heads altogether. Good luck!

Hugger

iTrader: (21)

I did exactly what you are talking about. I have 6.0L's that I home ported and I am pretty happy with them. I also had them milled .030, added the lightweight LS6 valves, and 918 springs. The shop that milled them did a competiton 5 angle valve job as well. The car runs strong but nowhere like my buddies car with TEA 1.5's. They were a definite improvement, but I put a different cam in at the same time so it was hard to tell the exact gains from the heads. I was in the same boat as you. I wanted heads but couldn't talk my wife into spending the cash. I dynoed with these heads and all the mods in my sig and put down 359rwhp with no tricks, just drove it off the street and straight onto the dyno. I ran the times in my sig with these heads also. I think my setup has a little more in it but my local track has closed indefinitely. If you are looking to buy heads though and are on a tight budget I would look at some of the patriots because by the time I had my heads on the car I had close to $600 in them, not to mention about 15 hours of porting and cleanup. This was a year ago, but now heads like patriots have become very affordable and will surely outflow the hell out of my homeported heads. Looking back I would have really liked to have my heads put on a flowbench just to see the numbers but at the time it wasn't in the budget. Good luck with your setup. Let me know if I can be of anymore help.
-Josh

Raced Guy

So will you be okay putting the 6.0 heads on not milled with the new orignal 6.0 head gasket. Will you be able to use the stock push rods and what not ?

99sprayjunkie

Oops, sorry, yes. I used the stock lifters, pushrods, and rockers, works great, revs clean to 6500. I used the stock LS1 head gasket, not sure the difference between LS1/lLQ4-9

SouthFL.02.SS

With new 243 castings being sold for $850 a pair, assembled, flowing very well on stock valves, there's no question which budget head route should be chosen.

98turbls1

iTrader: (17)

The LS1 head gaskets are for the 3.90 bore while as the LQ9\LQ4 head gaskets need to be used because even though they are for a 4.00 inch bore they are required for the swap...

1slow01Z71

iTrader: (36)

Brought this back from the dead didnt you.

Just wanted to add LQ9 heads and LQ4 heads are the same both are a 317 casting. No difference between the heads.