worth swapping heads?
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,646
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From: Southside,Indiana
worth swapping heads? I am rebuilding a ls1 stock bore and stock heads with a polluter cam from tick. I've had the pistons flycut and am debating using the stock 853 heads or switching to 5.3 heads with bigger valves. Which would be better?
It's an a4 with a 4k stall stock weight
It's an a4 with a 4k stall stock weight
TECH Addict
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: PA/MD
I'd say go for the 5.3 heads in a heartbeat, but get them ported and milled a hair too while your at it.
If your not going to have the 5.3s ported is just stick with the 853s. Also if/when you pull your heads go ahead and drop in new lifters and ls2 lifter trays.
If your not going to have the 5.3s ported is just stick with the 853s. Also if/when you pull your heads go ahead and drop in new lifters and ls2 lifter trays.
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: PA/MD
If your getting a good price on them and pulling your heads anyway, then why not....I just couldn't justify breaking a good running motor opened and paying for all the fluids and gaskets to drop unported heads on, but if you are rebuilding it, then I'd do it.
They will bump your compression up a hair, and the bigger valves will let it breath better so you should see some gains.
They will bump your compression up a hair, and the bigger valves will let it breath better so you should see some gains.
That doesn't make sense to me. If you're swapping heads, might as well make it worth the effort. And unless you are rebuilding the shortblock with new bearings and rings, you shouldn't pull the heads just to replace the lifters, unless you have a lot of miles on the car.
853s and 5.3s flow similar - just the 5.3s bump the compression a bit. And you can't just stuff bigger valves in there. You need a valve job as well.
853s and 5.3s flow similar - just the 5.3s bump the compression a bit. And you can't just stuff bigger valves in there. You need a valve job as well.
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Thread Starter
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,646
Likes: 1
From: Southside,Indiana
The motor is out of the car. My motor melted a piston. Got new stock pistons and rehoned the block. Putting it back together. Ik it will need a valve job I just am not going to mill or port them if I go through with it
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TECH Addict
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: PA/MD
Hate to do it, but sometimes it is worth it lol I planned on having my car done and ready by Spring Carlisle...last year but it is still sitting in my garage lol oh well, it will be worth the weight!
