Sean Ryan

I am looking for recommendation for a good but not break the bank gasket kit for an LS1 Cam and Head Swap. It will be a 3 bolt cam and 243 heads.

jaxcam02

iTrader: (1)

MLS metal head gaskets were fine on my HCI build

Jays_SSZ28

iTrader: (2)

GM MLS comes in a pair from summit for $49 IIRC. Timing cover and intake gaskets are cheap to buy separate fel pro.
don't forget head bolts a torque wrench and torque angle gauge. Or use the sharpie method and mark the bolts for the last two 90 degree turns.

SLP IROC-Z

iTrader: (14)

Ws6store/rpmspeed .045 mls

00pooterSS

iTrader: (40)

OEM gaskets, felpro, or WS6 store gaskets for the head gaskets.

NEVER use the cheapest gaskets you can find. If you are also looking for gaskets for the timing cover valve covers etc get OEM or felpro.
I've been a tech 20+ years and EVERY TIME i'm given any other gaskets than OEM or felpro there's problems. Did an engine job 2 weeks ago that came with victor reinz gaskets, after the job was done the oil pan gasket leaked. Engine has to come back out to do the oil pan gasket. There was no way it was caused by any other thing than the gasket. It was a flat rail all the way around, no covers that meet up, no place to put silicone. Just a flat gasket. It was on a dodge but regardless I've been down that road too many times to use anything but OE or fel pro

jlangley

iTrader: (8)

https://ls1tech.com/forums/parts-cla...s-gaskets.html

I bought gaskets from this member. He may still have some. His prices were very good.

nixc5

iTrader: (3)

Agree with the others. Felpro is my go to. Also if I have any concerns about small scratches in the sealing surface I grab a can of copper spray. One can goes a long way. Done multiple jobs that require head removals and I probably still have half a can.

00pooterSS

iTrader: (40)

With a lot of head gaskets now coming with a coating it's advised to not use copper spray.

I used it back 20 years ago, on one head gasket job. But countless ones since then I haven't used it and had zero issues. So can't really say it's any better than not using it if you also don't have problems when you don't use it.

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

Definitely a voted for OEM gaskets 21+ years total with fou different LS engines and no oil leaks Had good results with Felpro in other applications too.

The sweetness a low price gasket will disappear with the first leak.

Summitracing

OP, as Jays SSZ28 said we have the GM MLS gaskets at a current retail price of $49.86. That is the NAL-12498544 sold as a pair. We also have these available in a head change kit CMB-08-0060. This includes the pair of head gaskets, GM TTY head bolts, and GM MLS header/manifold gaskets. This kit currently retails for $149.08. That is a savings of $10 compared to buying them separately.

We can help with the cam install as well. That would be part number CMB-09-0029. This includes the timing cover gasket, water pump gaskets, oil pump o-rings, LS2 timing chain, valve cover gaskets, and harmonic balancer bolt. This currently retails for $80.96. The gaskets and O-rings in that kit are Fel-Pro.

If you would purchase both of these kits you would qualify for our current limited time "TRUCK" promo. This would take $10 off the price of the part subtotal.

Bad346

Have you heard much feedback on the Mahle MLS head gaskets? I purchased some from Summit since they looked to be reasonable price/quality and thinner than OEM at. 041" thickness.

Summitracing

Mahle makes head gaskets for GM, so we would classify them as a good O.E. replacement.