DAVE00

iTrader: (10)

Need your opinion guys/gals. I am having a local LS/LT shop install my LE cam in the next month or so. I am currently running 10.5:1 comp and have the opportunity to swap out the gaskets for thinner ones to bump it up to 11:1. Lloyd says I am ok with 10.5 but of course 11 is always better. The question is, is the difference in price (about $500) to pull the heads and do this vs just doing the cam swap. Is it worth it to pull the heads and do the gasket or not, as I am on a pretty tight budget. Let me know your opinion!!!

PS: I know I am gonna get ragged on for not doing this myself as I have all the tools and know it's pretty easy, but I really don't have time these days and I want to make sure it's done right.

fergymoto

iTrader: (129)

It's not going to be worth the power you will gain. It would likely be less than 10hp. Not worth the money in my opinion.

FlamingChicken

iTrader: (2)

personally i wouldnt pay the extra unless they were leaking or you were just worried about them. out of curiosity, why didnt you put the thinner gasket when you did the 383? or did you buy it with the motor already in the car?

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

+1! If you like paying ~$100/hp, go for it.
IIRC a full point change in compression ratio = a 3% increase in overall power. So you have to ask if a 1.5% increase of power (in your case), is worth $500?

djjab57

iTrader: (17)

dont mean to hijack OP but wouldnt it be just a safe thing to go ahead and change them out if your already that far into it? i know they dont blow that often but they do blow

JB_97ws6TA

iTrader: (6)

Any opportunity I get to change a gasket I go ahead and do it just for peace of mind. I think it is just due to my run of luck, if I didn't change the gasket while I was in there it would start leaking next week

diffdude

At the point they will have it apart 500.00 extra seems kind of high.

fergymoto

iTrader: (129)

It's really not that far apart for a cam swap. To change the head gaskets they would still have to take off the alternator, unbolt the accessories, remove coil, icm, bracket, remove power steering pump bolts and then accessory bracket bolts to cylinder head, remove y pipe, remove headers, etc.

SoxXpupPeT

iTrader: (34)

hmm id say yes simply because new head gaskets are really nice to have with a new aggressive cam. how many miles are on the engine ? it may not be cheap insurance but its still insurance non the less

DAVE00

iTrader: (10)

Well the car has less than 50k on the clock and the motor was built back in 99' but only has about 7-8k on it. Just a pleasure driver/toy and not much more these days. To answer the other posters questions the reason I am sitting at 10.5:1 is my builder back in the day built my motor to be a reliable DD car. The pistons are SRP flattops (-5cc), AFR 190's with 68cc chambers, and the Felpro 1004 head gaskets at 0.041 and that's why I am at 10.5:1 now. If I went with say a .026 and just changed the gasket it would only boost me .5 to 11:1. I've decided it's not really worth the money and if I ever have to do the gasket another I'll do it myself as then I will go thinner and prob have the heads sent off to be looked at. Thanks for all your input guys, I really appreciate it!!!!!!!!!

James Montigny

iTrader: (13)

Unless you want to pull the heads and have them ported, I don't see any reason to
change the head gasket for such minor gains.