Changing Heads.... Gaskets?
Changing Heads.... Gaskets? Hey I blew a head gasket so I'm putting on some new LS6 heads while i'm all up in there with the heads off, but what gaskets do I have to get? My dad said I needed a whole kit which had all the gaskets from the head gaskets up, or do I just need head gaskets?
You'll need new head gaskets and head bolts, unless you already have a set of ARP (or similar) head bolts which are re-useable. The stock bolts are TTY, so they should not be used once torqued down. Which head gaskets you need, I have no idea (different part numbers). You don't need new exhaust gaskets as the stock ones are re-useable.
If the car has a good amount of miles on it I'd pick up a new set of GM MLS exhaust gaskets. As for the head gaskets, go to GM and ask them for the gaskets for the LS6 heads you have (will probably need to know the year).
Is there a difference for the head gaskets for different year engines? Reason I ask is because I'm going to install a set of 243 casting heads off a '05 ls2 in a couple of weeks and was planning on getting the MLS gaskets (part number 12589226).
oh snap, so what do I need to ask for? I have a 98 ls1 and am putting 05 GTO LS6 243 heads on. What part number do I need? Do I order for a 98 ls1 or a 05 gto? And where's the best place to order? And all I need is exhaust gaskets and head gaskets right? And I DO need to replace the head bolts then?
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Order the head gasket for the 05 GTO heads. You can call up Thunder Racing or Texas Speed and tell them you need gaskets for those heads on your stock motor and they should be able to hook you up. I would pick up a new set of exhaust gaskets as well as new head bolts as they are torque to yield and are useless once torqued down and used. You can either buy a new set of stock TTY GM bolts or you can pick up a set of ARP head bolts or studs, which are more expensive but will pay off in the long run if you plan to pull the heads once or more in the future - not to mention the added safety of the stronger bolts. That is up to you though.
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Originally Posted by ArcticZ28
If the car has a good amount of miles on it I'd pick up a new set of GM MLS exhaust gaskets. As for the head gaskets, go to GM and ask them for the gaskets for the LS6 heads you have (will probably need to know the year).
Originally Posted by killerbeez
one more thing, someone was telling me he thought the ls6 heads aren't a direct bolton to the 98 ls1 intake? Is that true?
lol thanks for your help so far arctic!!!
I have ONE more question now that I think of it. Do they make thicker head gaskets to lower my compression just a little? I ask because I have an STS turbo that's going on after this and until I rebuild the bottom end up I'm just running 5 pounds and methanol injection, but a little less compression couldn't ya know?
So here's my shopping list correct?
LS6 head gaskets for an 05 GTO
Head bolts for a 98 LS1
Exhaust gaskets for a 98 LS1
I have ONE more question now that I think of it. Do they make thicker head gaskets to lower my compression just a little? I ask because I have an STS turbo that's going on after this and until I rebuild the bottom end up I'm just running 5 pounds and methanol injection, but a little less compression couldn't ya know?
So here's my shopping list correct?
LS6 head gaskets for an 05 GTO
Head bolts for a 98 LS1
Exhaust gaskets for a 98 LS1
You don't want any thicker of a gasket than the stock GM MLS at .052.-054. You want your quench (gasket thickness minus how far out of the hole the pistons are) to be as tight as possible. When you increase the quench, you increase the area for detonation. The best way to lower compression is to open up the chambers in the heads in your situation.