Well, I finally finished the headswap on my C5. The total time it took was around 8 hours working by myself, not rushing things. I took photos of all the steps and will write it up a bit better soon.

If you've done an Fbody swap, the C5 really isnt that much different. The main issues are that there is LESS room between the engine and firewall on the C5 than in the fbody....oddly enough. The second issue is that there is a huge bracket mounted on the front of the drivers side head on a C5 that takes some time to remove. It holds the alt and the power steering. I removed the alternator totally, but left the power steering on the bracket. I did have to remove the PS resevour though, as it was blocking access to a few of the bracket bolts.

From there on out, its exactly like an fbody swap. Unbolt heads. Clean the block surface and bolt holes, lay on your new gasket and you'll have what looks like this:
<img src="https://ls1tech.com/howto/C5/heads/day3/thumbs/DSC00786.jpg" alt=" - " />

Its all just reassembly from there.

Notes:
- radiator/ac/timing cover/water pump never come off
- I never had to disconnect the fuel line from the fuel rail, nor did I remove the fuel rail from the intake manifold.
- I never had to bleed the power steering

All in all, its a simple job, but lots of work.

 

congrats! now it's time to run em. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

Good job, jMx. I just finished putting heads on my brother's '00 SS thanks to your site. It helped greatly. Now, get to that CAM install on the C5 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

 

I guess there will be no point in us running now...huh? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> Gonna dyno it soon?

 

I'm putting off the cam install for a bit...I like this B1 a lot <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

I'm gonna be doing an ASP pulley install writeup soon as well for the C5...we need better documentation on the removal of the power steering crap. I already have the pulley, belts, and bolts....I just need some motivation and time.

Chris, they are ARE stage 2 heads I got a long time ago for my Camaro. I just pulled them off the camaro and tossed them on the C5. I'm hoping for 360rwhp with them, but it honestly doesnt feel like I gained much with them. This car needs headers and no cats for sure.

Westside/Wes, we'll run em someday. I need to lose to an N/A LS1 fbody soon damnit...I keep trying to but it isnt happening.

 

I dunno about beating you but I think I will be alot closer to you this time. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_tounge.gif" /> I'm just waiting for my new tires. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
<img border="0" alt="[Burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />

 

What heads did you go with afterwards? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Cheers,
Chris

 

I want to have a go at ya before I get my heads on...

Blake

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by jmX:
[QB]I'm putting off the cam install for a bit...I like this B1 a lot <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That's a good thing-- getting that steering rack out of the way is a certified bitch--whether you know what you'r doing or not <img border="0" alt="[fight]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_punch.gif" />
I hate that thing-- it's keeping me from even considering anything other than the one I've already put in-- I'm just goung to tune the hell outta this setup and see what happens....
<img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

 

I find the ARE heads like a larger cam like a 226/234 style cam. Might be too hairy for what you are looking for but the added exhaust duration really helps power through the full (stock) exhaust.
Cheers,
Chris

 

DrDebacle, I started pricing out tires last night too. Not only do I need a new set for the SS, but also for the C5. Sucks ***.

Blake, we'll run em. Should be a good close run...headers are holding my car back so badly its not even funny.

MDL, actually I'm gonna swap on an ASP underdrive pulley here soon so I'll get to experience the joy of removing the rack no matter what. Hopefully I can get it down to a 90-120 minute job or so and get that pulley on there quick like.

Chris, I had a 230/230 cam with these heads at one point and the 224/224 did just as well so they didnt seem to care too much about the duration. Now I'm down to 221/221 but its in a totally different car and setup so I can't really compare. I had about 50 more rwhp in my SS with these heads due to having longtubes, no cats, underdrive pulley, etc. We'll see. I'm gonna do clutch and headers before I put in the bigger cam...I wanna know what she'll do with this little B1 once I open up the exhaust.

 

Actually, having now done it once the hard (first time) way, I agree, that you might be able to do it in around two hours-- you'd be bookin' though <img border="0" alt="[judgement]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_judge.gif" />

 

Bah, just do it. Its not that hard <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Eric

 

I'll do it soon, I wanted to make sure I dyno'd the car before I did anything else just to see where I stand.

Its exactly where I'd guessed
<img src="http://home.austin.rr.com/jmx/c5/lsbdyno.jpg" alt=" - " />

As soon as I get some free time I'll do the pulley install. Maybe this weekend? Who knows. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

<small>[ May 30, 2002, 04:32 PM: Message edited by: jmX ]</small>

 

That doesnt look too bad. What did nolke dyno before?

I dont think I'm close to that based on my track times last weekend, but I know I have some issues to work out.

Eric

 

The car did around 342-344rwhp before the heads, so they added around 20rwhp.

My target is 385-390 through cats and mufflers, emissions legal, with great idle. ASP pulley, high flow cats, some longtubes, and a slightly bigger cam might get me there.

I wonder how well the Z06 Ti mufflers flow compared to something like a corsa.

 

hehe... LSB <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

 

jMx, remove the steering rack NOW! Come on man, you're the only C5 tinkerer I have faith in! Please <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

"hehe... LSB <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> "

I second that! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

 

Congrats Jon! I used your guide to do my C5 last summer but didn't document much. Not a bad job though. Later