First off i tried doing a little research. I just need The best advice from experience here. I have a 02 z28 m6. I have TSP 1 7/8 long tubes with their off road Y-Pipe followed by a hooker cat back. I have a SLP lid with a ported MAF. I have a 235/239 .610/.610 cam. Ive decided to update my lifters with BTR SLR lifters and BTR .660 springs. Right now im running 7.425 push rods on stock lifters. Unfortunately i cant afford to do heads at this time. So my questions are.... Can i afford to go with a little bit smaller of a head gasket? Should i keep my push rod length or should i go back to stock size(7.400)? I would hate to do all this work and not squeeze out a little more HP you know what i mean? All comments are greatly appreciated.

 

Putting a thinner gasket will help a little. Just depends on how much a little more hp is to you. Thinner gaskets won't give you much but will make a difference. As far as push rods you can look up your cam and figure which rods compliment it. Just measure your clearances (heads to pistons)to determine quench factor to ensure its safe

 

I'd leave heads alone till you can afford some..

Once you take them off they might need a clean up mill to make them flat again for resealing..

New head gaskets like very clean mating surfaces

But if you do decide to do head gaskets, check your piston out of hole clearance and pick a gasket that will keep you @ .035-.045 quench