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Headgasket Choices? (boost)

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Old Nov 25, 2019 | 04:17 PM
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Default Headgasket Choices? (boost)

Whats the choices for head gaskets, 5.3 bore? I was thinking about LS9 but I really dont like the bore size of that gasket compared to my 5.3 bore. I do like the quality and price of the Ls9...However I see Fel pro has a couple MLS gaskets, but dang....I'm gonna spend 200 bucks vs 90 bucks for ls9. My buddy tells me he runs the ls9 on 5.3 boost motors all the time...but I just fear I may be giving up compression, sealing capacity and adding some detonation sensitivity. My piston is .003 in the hole, dish piston, max of 20-22lbs of boost is the plan. I prefer to not run one of those graphite gaskets as those junks make a mess if you have to pull heads. Yuck. Any other cheaper choices than the fel pro? Just run the Ls9? Should I set my quench at around .045?
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Old Nov 25, 2019 | 04:25 PM
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Did a search on here for head gaskets. Found nothing. But by chance when reading a thread on cylinder head tests, In the thread, WS6 store posted they have some gaskets deigned for 4.8/5.3 heads to handle boost. They are MLS, and awefully cheap, the thickness that I'd choose..... Almost too good to be true. Anyone use these yet? If You had a bad experience and dont want to start any poop, Pm me. heres a link
http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...oducts_id=6909
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Old Nov 25, 2019 | 05:12 PM
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OEM GM MLS 5.3l head gaskets .

I have ls9s on my 5.3 and I havent lifted a head with them but if I had to do it again I'd go GM 5.3 MLS. For more deck surface
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Old Nov 25, 2019 | 05:13 PM
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Those ws6 head gaskets failed on me at like 550 wheel lol
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Old Nov 25, 2019 | 05:31 PM
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Another vote for 5.3 GM gaskets.
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Old Nov 25, 2019 | 06:20 PM
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I ran LS9s. Threw a rod before it lifted a head.
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Old Nov 25, 2019 | 07:34 PM
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Never had a problem with the factory mls gaskets. Never ran more than 17 psi.. but a good tune, good head/deck surface, and good bolts... there will not be a difference between ls9 and the 5.3 mls gaskets. Smoke and mirrors imho.

If your running 25-40psi+.. you are looking at fire rings and 6 bolt setups. Below that... I’d just use the gm mls
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Old Nov 25, 2019 | 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Mavn
Those ws6 head gaskets failed on me at like 550 wheel lol
I’m so glad I asked! Thx! Dodged a bullet there
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Old Nov 25, 2019 | 08:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Dragframe
Never had a problem with the factory mls gaskets. Never ran more than 17 psi.. but a good tune, good head/deck surface, and good bolts... there will not be a difference between ls9 and the 5.3 mls gaskets. Smoke and mirrors imho.

If your running 25-40psi+.. you are looking at fire rings and 6 bolt setups. Below that... I’d just use the gm mls

perfect. Thx for the info!
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Old Nov 25, 2019 | 08:16 PM
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This is what was installed in my engine GM MLS 12575329.

Last edited by jester1; Nov 25, 2019 at 09:06 PM.
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Old Nov 25, 2019 | 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by jester1
This is what was installed in my engine GM MLS 1257329.
you sure it isn’t 12575329?
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Old Nov 25, 2019 | 08:38 PM
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Anything like the factory 5.3 gasket but maybe a little thinner? Like .045?
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Old Nov 25, 2019 | 08:38 PM
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I ran 12psi with stock graphite 5.3 gaskets and no issues. Pulled and ran MLS LS1 GM gaskets and swapped to new non knotched heads $36 for the pair. On my other 5.3s I run the cheap $100 eBay complete gasket kit MLS head gaskets for boost. I’m talking about $90-100 full kits top to bottom and haven’t had any issues and the gaskets a good quality MLS.
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Old Nov 25, 2019 | 08:41 PM
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Originally Posted by customblackbird
I ran 12psi with stock graphite 5.3 gaskets and no issues. Pulled and ran MLS LS1 GM gaskets and swapped to new non knotched heads $36 for the pair. On my other 5.3s I run the cheap $100 eBay complete gasket kit MLS head gaskets for boost. I’m talking about $90-100 full kits top to bottom and haven’t had any issues and the gaskets a good quality MLS.
do they sell just the head gaskets? How thick?
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Old Nov 25, 2019 | 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Kfxguy
do they sell just the head gaskets? How thick?
for the price it’s like $52 for the whole top end kit. I never measured them. They are at least as thick as the stockers. I have a few sets i could measure them out after thanksgiving. They are a 3 piece if I remember correctly 2 thin layers and 1 thick.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Head-Gasket...cAAOSw6vZdgQ-B
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Old Nov 25, 2019 | 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Kfxguy
you sure it isn’t 12575329?
yes your correct, looks like it didn't take the correction the first time around.
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Old Nov 26, 2019 | 02:32 AM
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Originally Posted by jester1
yes your correct, looks like it didn't take the correction the first time around.
those were the ones i just bought for my engine .looks like there three piece
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Old Nov 26, 2019 | 07:43 AM
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No one worries with their Quench?
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Old Nov 26, 2019 | 07:53 AM
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We have been 4.50’s on a 5.3 with ls9 gasket, 46-48lbs
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Old Nov 26, 2019 | 08:01 AM
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Originally Posted by ls13ater
We have been 4.50’s on a 5.3 with ls9 gasket, 46-48lbs
That seems like an awful lot of boost for 4.50s.
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