SouthFL.02.SS

Just wrapping up my list....

1) Head Gaskets.
Which GM # is correct? Do I use stock GM LS1 heads for 5.3L heads?

I have a few part numbers:
12558809 (driver)
12558810 (passenger)
12498544 (is this a kit?).

Which number do I need to walk up to the parts counter and say "give me these..."?

2) (New) Stock LS1 GM TTY head bolts should be fine?
I got the part #'s from ls1howto.

3) Tuning.
I'll be installing the heads at my house and will drive the car about 15 miles to get it LS1Edit dyno tuned for the new setup. I will not be able to adjust anything for the higher compression during that drive. Should I consider having the car flatbeded/ transported there, or can I safely drive the car with the new heads to the shop without worry of timing issues? I don't know how much timing my current tune has for the cam-only setup.

Thanks in advance,

SouthFL

gomer

iTrader: (13)

I've used stock MLS gaskets, graphite gaskets, and aftermarket Victor gaskets. Any of them will work fine. The best $$$ value out there is the Victor's from NAPA, I've ran probably 6 sets of those without a problem. I'd grab me two of those for $10 each and a set of bolts and you'll be ready to go... BE SURE to clean the block deck and also to remove ALL coolant from the block bolt holes before installing the new heads. Let us know how it turns out.

btw.. your tune will be fine now further than you have to drive it.. just don't hammer on it too hard till it's tuned with the heads.
Enjoy the new power!

SouthFL.02.SS

Gomer, would you happen to have the part # for those Victor gaskets? Are they the same thickness as stockers?

As for cleaning the bolt holes, paper towels & patience, I know, but will a shop vac speed up the process?

Thanks!

foff667

iTrader: (2)

paper, towels, patience, a shop vac & air hose worked fine for me...im wondering if the victor gaskets would work with the 98 heads...with that little indentation or if only the gm ones would work...any clue gomer?

gomer

iTrader: (13)

They are the same thickness as the stock graphite gaskets. Part numbers are #5975 for the RH side, and #5976 for the LH side. They are the "Nitroseal" line of Victor gaskets.. they are made by DANA corp. They appear to be identical to the factory graphite gaskets when compared side by side to me.

foff... they list the same part number of head gasket in the Victor catalog for 1997 thru 2004 LS1's.

SouthFL.02.SS

Thanks Gomer! You da man.

SouthFL.02.SS

A friend of mine had an extra set of 12573949 gaskets which he just gave me. These I believe are the GM MLS gaskets for 2002+ LS1's. Can I use these with the 5.3 heads? Are they the same thickness as the GM graphite gaskets? Should I check the TEA heads for a notch or something? Head gurus help me out please, I'm having gasket anxiety.

foff667

iTrader: (2)

i dont think any of the 5.3 heads are notched like the 97-98 perimeter bolt heads....you can check its just a little notch near the bottom of one of the combustion chambers but i doubt it has it therefore you should be fine.

SouthFL.02.SS

I just read in an old post that:

Will such minute differences affect compression ratio to the extent that I should go with the graphite gaskets? I now have both the GM MLS and the NAPA Victor Gaskets mentioned earlier in this thread. Which ones should I use?

-Joseph-

iTrader: (12)

Some 5.3L heads are notched. Most are not, the MLS gaskets will work fine on the notchless heads. I actually prefer the graphite gaskets myself.