How much would I gain from 317's?
How much would I gain from 317's? Hey guys just wandering if it will be worth it to pick up a set of stock 317's pretty cheap and do them when I'm swapping my intake manifold. It's a 98 ws6 with the 806 heads. Full bolt ons, running a 8lb pulley on a gtrim. Do you think it would be worth it now for a couple hundred or should I just wait until I have the funds to get a worked tsp set? Thanks
On 8psi I don't see the point. If you plan on cranking the boost up later, then maybe pick up a set. Also keep in mind you will need new head bolts (studs, preferably), head gaskets, coil brackets, and valve covers. Also get ready for the PITA that is cleaning the graphite head gasket off of the '98 block.
Do be aware that you should probably upgrade your stock head bolts anyway. Also, the graphite head gaskets on the 806s aren't nearly as good as the MLS ones and seem to blow out under boost more often from what I've seen. Have you considered going with something like a 241 head? I went with those on my '98 and plan on keeping them up through 15psi. However, that's also with 9.5:1 compression and dished pistons.
If you can get them cheap I do not see a problem with it. I have them on my 98 as well. Did not port them any but wanted them for a FI standpoint. I do have the ARP studs though. Those heads are still better than the 98 heads. I like the center bolt valve covers way better than the perimeter bolt ones that are on the 98's. I would say if you can get them with covers and all go for it.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
I think it would be worth the cost/effort to swap to 317s,
They are better flowing and lower compression ratio making your engine more boost friendly, and the addition of ARP head studs and multi layer gaskets will add to reliability.
They are better flowing and lower compression ratio making your engine more boost friendly, and the addition of ARP head studs and multi layer gaskets will add to reliability.
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I think it would be a wash at the same boost. The gain would come from being able to safely run more boost on pump gas without detonation. The 317's may flow more but they do not have a very efficient combustion chamber. If you never plan on upping the boost than honestly it's not worth the hassle or cost.
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Stevens Point, WI
I would think you would benefit from the 317's you could run a pound or two more boost safely and have more power and way more reliability which i think is the biggest benefit. Also a good set of aftermarket pushrods are probably the way to go stock one don't like higher rpm's that much.
Ok so it sounds like I should do the pushrods. Do I just by stock lenght pushrods for the swap? I plan on getting new arp head bolts and I see there are 2 different kits. One for 98 -03 and one for 04-06. Which do I get? My car is a 98 but I'm not sure what year the heads are?
