I am fixing to buy 5.3 heads for my 1998 LS1 TransAm. I was wondering a few things.
Where can I purchase larger valves for it?(2.02/1.6 prefferably)
Will my 5.7 valvecovers and valve cover gaskets work?
Will the coil packs off of the 5.7 valve covers work?
Will the head bolts, head gaskets work off of my 5.7 heads?
Will my 918's with titanium retainers work without machine work?
Will my Hooker Longtubes bolt right up to these heads aswell as my LS6 intake and coolant tubes that run underneath the intake?
About where would these heads put my compression at?
Anything else you feel I should know about these heads would also be appreciated.
Thanks!
Rick
<img src="graemlins/gr_hail.gif" border="0" alt="[hail]" /> <img src="graemlins/formula.gif" border="0" alt="[Pontiac]" />

[ February 17, 2002: Message edited by: PhatT/A ]</p>

 

Where can I purchase larger valves for it?(2.02/1.6 prefferably)

Are you going to install the valves yourself? The the stock seats will work with up to a 2.02int/1.57exh. I believe. Any of the sponsors out there should be able to sell you a set of valves. Ferrea's seem to be a popular choice.

Will my 5.7 valvecovers and valve cover gaskets work?

Nope. All of the truck heads are of the '99-up centerbolt design, and use centerbolt valvecovers instead of the perimeter bolt pattern on your '98.

Will the coil packs off of the 5.7 valve covers work?

Yes, but you'll have to find a pair of the coil brackets used on the 99-up heads...

Will the head bolts, head gaskets work off of my 5.7 heads?

Yes (hopefully you don't mean reusing the original bolts/gaskets).

Will my 918's with titanium retainers work without machine work?

Yes.

Will my Hooker Longtubes bolt right up to these heads aswell as my LS6 intake and coolant tubes that run underneath the intake?

Again, yes.

About where would these heads put my compression at?

I think they'll come in at around 11:1 with no other changes... However, I don't believe the truck heads flow as well in stock form as the 5.7L heads. I would tend to think that some port work would have to be done to see any real gains...

 

thanks for the reply! I was wondering though, can I use the valve cover gaskets I bought for my 5.7's on the 5.3's? Yes they are new aswell as the head gaskets and head bolts... <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">
I currently have a stage 2 set of 5.7 heads and want to run the 5.3's since I was told a stage 2 of these would out perform the 5.7's S2. I do all my headwork through a local machinist and porter. I also thought that I could go all the way up to 1.6's on the exhaust on 5.3's???? <img src="images/icons/confused.gif" border="0">
I was hoping more for an 11:5 compression, will milling be a must with these "needs"? <img src="graemlins/gr_devil.gif" border="0" alt="[devil]" />
The current cam I am running by the way if it makes any difference to the advice yall might give is.....
581/581 226/226 112 +4 on the new Comp XE-R lobes. <img src="gr_eek2.gif" border="0">
Thanks in advance!,
Rick

[ February 18, 2002: Message edited by: PhatT/A ]</p>

 

[quote]Originally posted by PhatT/A:
<strong>I was hoping more for an 11:5 compression, will milling be a must with these "needs"? <img src="graemlins/gr_devil.gif" border="0" alt="[devil]" />
The current cam I am running by the way if it makes any difference to the advice yall might give is.....
581/581 226/226 112 +4 on the new Comp XE-R lobes. <img src="gr_eek2.gif" border="0">
[ February 18, 2002: Message edited by: PhatT/A ]</strong><hr></blockquote>

From what I know, 5.3's achieve 11.1-11.2 when milled .030". In order to get that 11.5:1 that you want, you will have to mill them .045" or use a different head gasket. Which I wouldn't recommend with that cam you are using because piston to valve clearance issues may come into play. Although it may just work out right, it depends on how much comfort zone you want for PtoV clearance. <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">

later,
Steve

 

...and as far as the gaskets, I'm relatively sure they are different, as the '99-up have a different part number.

 

Actually, I think the compression on the 5.3's are higher than people think. My heads were not milled and the compression was calculated at 11.4:1 on my setup..

 

I bought my 8.5mm MSD wires for my T/A around a year and a half ago. Do I need to buy new ones to fit my 5.3 heads or can I reuse these. They were not giving me any problems with my 5.7 heads. Can I also continue to run my NGK 555 platium's? Will it be safe and good to use with the compression increase?
thanks,
Rick

[ February 19, 2002: Message edited by: PhatT/A ]</p>

 

PhatT/A: Your wires will work just fine. However, I would get rid of the platinum plugs. Install some NGK TR6s. This a one-step colder plug than stock and will help reduce the chances of detonation.

To reach your desired 11.5:1, I would expect you would need to mill the heads around 20 thousandths, depending on what kinda of work was done in the chambers.

As Top Fuel stated, I would check piston-to-valve clearance to be on the safe side.

Jason