Help with head work 2002 5.3
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Lebanon, MO
Help with head work 2002 5.3 Hey guys, new to LS1TECH. I just bought a 2002 single cab shortbed silverado and I’m looking to start building. Starting with basics to help down the road first. I just bought a set of used 706 heads and ls6 trick flow valve springs that will handle .550 lift. I’m also buying a motor with 150k that just needs lifters. So all my work will be happening outside of the vehicle. I’m wanting to raise my compression. I few things I could do are mill the heads down by .030, use flat top/dome top pistons. But I was also wondering about valve clearance issues. What can I do to raise compression and avoid those issues? Also preparing for a mild cam in the future. What are some other things I could do worth my time and money on these heads?
Last edited by 5.3ShortBed; Oct 17, 2018 at 06:33 PM. Reason: Wrong word
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,288
Likes: 3,615
From: Central Cal.
Hold on. In one sentence you want to LOWER your compression. THEN a couple sentences later you want to RAISE your compression? Anyway. by getting flat top pistons and keeping the 706 heads WITHOUT milling, your compression will be close to 10:1. How high do you want it?
BTW you will have no clearance issues even if you mill .030 and use flat tops with a mild cam.
BTW you will have no clearance issues even if you mill .030 and use flat tops with a mild cam.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,288
Likes: 3,615
From: Central Cal.
Good call! The Gen IV 5.3's with 243's and flat tops ARE 9.9 from the factory. The smaller 706/862 DOES raise that to 10.5. Thank you for posting this. Now I have it straight! lol