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I'm about to replace my head gaskets..........

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Old 02-10-2008, 01:14 PM
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Default I'm about to replace my head gaskets..........

and i was wondering what head gasket would be the best for the money? I am supercharged with up to 200hp shot of nitrous. Not sure if the engine has been bored out either.

Also i want to replace the head bolts for studs..... but can i still replace the head bolts for the ARP studs and still fit the head over the studs with the engine still in the car??

Any advise in the process of the replacement would be apriciated also!
Old 02-10-2008, 01:24 PM
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wait woah, huge problem. you have to know if the engine is bored out. thats like, a definate must know...
Old 02-10-2008, 01:51 PM
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Cometic head gaskets + ARP head studs= Great combo
Old 02-10-2008, 02:02 PM
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After you sort everything else out, the studs don't necessarily have to go on the motor first. I had a problem with my passenger side header in the way during the installation and left the lower studs out until I got the head on the motor, then I installed the studs.
Old 02-10-2008, 02:42 PM
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If this is for an f-body (assuming it is since that is what is in your sig) you can install the studs first and then install the heads- no problem. Figure out the bore of your engine and if it is less than 4.100 (which it will be if you are 347) then use the new GM MLS 5-layer gaskets for the 6.2L engines.
Old 02-10-2008, 02:42 PM
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Well this will be the first time i have ripped into the ls1. (in exception to a cam swap).

Are the studs going to be a better choice with my cobo? I have seen the head bolts hold 170,000psi and the higher end ARP bolts hold the same as the ARP studs (190,000psi). Would the studs still be better?
Old 02-10-2008, 02:43 PM
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Originally Posted by ChevyChad
If this is for an f-body (assuming it is since that is what is in your sig) you can install the studs first and then install the heads- no problem. Figure out the bore of your engine and if it is less than 4.100 (which it will be if you are 347) then use the new GM MLS 5-layer gaskets for the 6.2L engines.
Got a part #? Also where would i order them from? Dealer?
Old 02-10-2008, 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Dragkid1917
wait woah, huge problem. you have to know if the engine is bored out. thats like, a definate must know...
Most pistons will have the oversize bore stamped on the piston correct?

Also what is the std. bore for the ls1?
Old 02-10-2008, 02:52 PM
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Originally Posted by ChevyChad
If this is for an f-body (assuming it is since that is what is in your sig) you can install the studs first and then install the heads- no problem. Figure out the bore of your engine and if it is less than 4.100 (which it will be if you are 347) then use the new GM MLS 5-layer gaskets for the 6.2L engines.
Yes, it's for my 02 T/A. Hey man i want the F1!!!
Old 02-10-2008, 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by 02' hawk
Well this will be the first time i have ripped into the ls1. (in exception to a cam swap).

Are the studs going to be a better choice with my cobo? I have seen the head bolts hold 170,000psi and the higher end ARP bolts hold the same as the ARP studs (190,000psi). Would the studs still be better?
Get the studs

Originally Posted by 02' hawk
Got a part #? Also where would i order them from? Dealer?
GM p/n 12610046 you can get them at a dealer, or any of the forum vendors such as SDPC, etc.

Originally Posted by 02' hawk
Most pistons will have the oversize bore stamped on the piston correct?
Not necessarily

Originally Posted by 02' hawk
Also what is the std. bore for the ls1?
3.898
Old 02-10-2008, 05:34 PM
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Thanks for all the info.
Anything else i should watch for when i do the swap?
Old 02-10-2008, 10:45 PM
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What about lock tight on the studs?
Old 02-11-2008, 08:39 AM
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The standard bore is 3.905 (347) the stock bore is 3.898 .. I cant believe it hasn't already been upgraded?? Especially if your hitting this motor with boost and nitrous ..
Old 02-11-2008, 10:43 AM
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Cometic gaskets, ARP studs, no on the lock-tite. Follow ARP instructions for tigthening.
Copper spray, copper spray, copper spray the gaskets.....a must.
Old 02-11-2008, 10:53 AM
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stud that bitch with arp's and use cometic gaskets. they work hand n hand
Old 02-11-2008, 12:57 PM
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Thanks guys for all the input. I was just about to ask about the cometic gaskets!
Old 02-11-2008, 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by LS1-450
Cometic gaskets, ARP studs, no on the lock-tite. Follow ARP instructions for tigthening.
Copper spray, copper spray, copper spray the gaskets.....a must.
Copper spray.........what is that? What does that do?

I promise that i'm not stupid or mechanically inclined it's just the ls1 is a new animal to me... I could build the old school stuff all day long! Supercharged and nitrous stuff is all new to me on the ls1.
Old 02-11-2008, 02:01 PM
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Coat the Cometic gaskets w/copper gasket spray; otherwise, they may leak. With all the pressure you're adding to the combustion chamber, I'd almost bet that they will leak without copper gasket spray applied to the gaskets prior to installation.
Old 02-11-2008, 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted by bjamick
The standard bore is 3.905 (347) the stock bore is 3.898 .. I cant believe it hasn't already been upgraded?? Especially if your hitting this motor with boost and nitrous ..
Well, I was assuming he was asking what was stock standard. And there is also the 3.903 bore pistons. That is what I have in my 347. I'm sure it has been upgraded- it says in the sig that he has forged internals. If anyone was dumb enough to put stock sized pistons back in an unmachined stock block when upgrading to forged internals, that would be a tragedy!
Old 02-11-2008, 03:45 PM
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What's the difference between standard bore and stock bore? I didn't know there was a difference. I was just trying to find out the stock bore so if the motor was bored out i would just add the size of the overbore to get the correct head gasket.

Last edited by 02' hawk; 02-12-2008 at 01:24 PM.



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