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Optimal Quench, LS1 to LS6

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Old Dec 23, 2024 | 10:12 AM
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Default Optimal Quench, LS1 to LS6

Have 5.7L LS1 and will replace heads w/243 castings. Going to run Cam Motion’s LS 216/224-108+3. Also have LS9 head gasket which I understand has a compressed thickness of 0.051. My experience has been non-LS based engines and most run 0.035-0.040 quench. I assume that applies to the LS world also?

I don’t know the position of the piston in the hole for the stock LS1 but it seems like 0.051 is a little to large for quench. Was going to have head surface milled to be sure its straight – perhaps on 0.010” and that would also give me a good quench.

So I’m sure this situation has come up before so looking for input to approach. Thanks.


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Old Dec 23, 2024 | 10:43 AM
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Generally speaking, you want about a.040 head gasket to get the quench close to where you want it.
I'm surprised GM didn't make them the standard LS head gasket as this applies to nearly, if not all LS engines.
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Old Dec 23, 2024 | 04:58 PM
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Originally Posted by BBPanel
Have 5.7L LS1 and will replace heads w/243 castings. Going to run Cam Motion’s LS 216/224-108+3. Also have LS9 head gasket which I understand has a compressed thickness of 0.051. My experience has been non-LS based engines and most run 0.035-0.040 quench. I assume that applies to the LS world also?

I don’t know the position of the piston in the hole for the stock LS1 but it seems like 0.051 is a little to large for quench. Was going to have head surface milled to be sure its straight – perhaps on 0.010” and that would also give me a good quench.

So I’m sure this situation has come up before so looking for input to approach. Thanks.
Is this for a truck? Independent Motorsports in Australia just put out some great 5.7L tests of this cam motion cam and many others on his youtube channel. This cam is amazing down low, but it runs out of steam up top. See the video below:

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Old Dec 23, 2024 | 05:15 PM
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66 Nova, T56, 3.73:1 Tru-Trac. Thanks for link - looks like peak hp @ 5800 and nice flat torque curve. Exactly what I'm looking for in a street cam only.

Thinking about this for a moment, milling the heads will not impact quench. But a little research indicates LS1 pistons out of the hole ranges from 0.003-0.010" Need to measure mine when I tear it down. May still be able to use LS9 gasket if ot of hole is large enough.

Last edited by BBPanel; Dec 23, 2024 at 08:08 PM.
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Old Dec 23, 2024 | 08:11 PM
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Originally Posted by BBPanel
Have 5.7L LS1 and will replace heads w/243 castings. Going to run Cam Motion’s LS 216/224-108+3. Also have LS9 head gasket which I understand has a compressed thickness of 0.051. My experience has been non-LS based engines and most run 0.035-0.040 quench. I assume that applies to the LS world also?

I don’t know the position of the piston in the hole for the stock LS1 but it seems like 0.051 is a little to large for quench. Was going to have head surface milled to be sure its straight – perhaps on 0.010” and that would also give me a good quench.

So I’m sure this situation has come up before so looking for input to approach. Thanks.
Most clean-up cuts on heads will be .003 or so at most. Your pistons are out of the hole .004-.006 as a stock untouched bottom end. Go with a .040-.043 headgasket. Yes, that quench number applies to all steel rod engines. Aluminum rod engines will be different of course, due to rod growth.
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Old Dec 25, 2024 | 09:47 AM
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I assume something like this will work - pretty pricey:
https://www.summitracing.com/search/...=245-C5475-040

G Atsma, does GM not make a 0.040 head gasket even now?
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Old Dec 25, 2024 | 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by BBPanel
I assume something like this will work - pretty pricey:
https://www.summitracing.com/search/...=245-C5475-040

G Atsma, does GM not make a 0.040 head gasket even now?
I know they are made by aftermarket mfr's, but whether or not GM does, I do not know..
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Old Dec 25, 2024 | 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by BBPanel
I assume something like this will work - pretty pricey:
https://www.summitracing.com/search/...=245-C5475-040

G Atsma, does GM not make a 0.040 head gasket even now?

Ws6store.com has a good price on those gaskets
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Old Dec 25, 2024 | 09:53 PM
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Originally Posted by SLP IROC-Z
Ws6store.com has a good price on those gaskets
thanks
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Old Dec 26, 2024 | 07:19 AM
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LS9 gaskets also are not 051 compressed, they are 055.

Run the 040 cometic.
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Old Dec 26, 2024 | 07:37 AM
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Originally Posted by 02EBC5Z06
LS9 gaskets also are not 051 compressed, they are 055.
Run the 040 cometic.
Even worse, now I have a pair of expensive paper weights!
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