Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Quench.... Do i dare go with .030's?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 30, 2007 | 03:57 PM
  #1  
LostCauseZ06's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
From: Ogden, Utah
Default Quench.... Do i dare go with .030's?

Alright, here is the setup...

Shortblock = HPE Forged Iron block 408. -8 CC dished wiseco pistons
Heads = Patriot Stage 3+ heads milled from 65 CC's down to 63 CC's
Cam = Custom ground by Thunder.. 250/255 615/619 on a 110.9 LSA


Current compression W/GM mls 6.0L Head gaskets comes out to be : 11.381:1

the squish on those gaskets is .051 though... leaving a very undesireable quench. so lets put some Cometic MLS 4.030 bore .030 thick gaskets in the equation...

Compression with .030 Cometics come out to be : 11.8205:1



Would it be worthwhile to swap them out to the cometics when i pull the heads to install the new valves?? am i going to see much better dyno results or is it pretty much negligiable?

also this is a daily driven rain/shine non weekend drag stip car. it MUST be able to run on 91 octane with no detonation problems. I can run race gas for when i wanna spray but other than that its a pump gas car.


any input would be VERY appreciated!! especially from some of your veterens that really know your stuff!!
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2007 | 04:29 PM
  #2  
brad8266's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 0
From: Watertown, NY
Default

i dunno know about that on 91 octane
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2007 | 04:33 PM
  #3  
LostCauseZ06's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
From: Ogden, Utah
Default

Originally Posted by brad8266
i dunno know about that on 91 octane

currently with my .051's im running 31 degrees of timing and cant hit detonation... not gaining any power but the car wont detonate... we have tried and tried and it just holds strong lol
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2007 | 04:42 PM
  #4  
brad8266's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 0
From: Watertown, NY
Default

Originally Posted by LostCauseZ06
currently with my .051's im running 31 degrees of timing and cant hit detonation... not gaining any power but the car wont detonate... we have tried and tried and it just holds strong lol
Try a .035 gasket,thats enough quench, no need to go much lower really. Once it goes low enough you risk the piston hitting the head deck at TDC from it rocking if the piston to cyl wall clearance isnt tight enough..
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2007 | 04:56 PM
  #5  
LostCauseZ06's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
From: Ogden, Utah
Default

Originally Posted by brad8266
Try a .035 gasket,thats enough quench, no need to go much lower really. Once it goes low enough you risk the piston hitting the head deck at TDC from it rocking if the piston to cyl wall clearance isnt tight enough..

does anyone make .035's??? all i see is .030's and .040's... thats why i asked about the .030's.... if i could find some .035's id be all over them

btw, need to be MLS and or cometics.
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2007 | 05:05 PM
  #6  
brad8266's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 0
From: Watertown, NY
Default

Originally Posted by LostCauseZ06
does anyone make .035's??? all i see is .030's and .040's... thats why i asked about the .030's.... if i could find some .035's id be all over them

btw, need to be MLS and or cometics.
Cometic makes .035's, call cometic and ask just in case.
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2007 | 07:18 PM
  #7  
XtraCajunSS's Avatar
FormerVendor
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,954
Likes: 4
From: Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Default

No one has asked the right question yet... What is your current deck height? That will be your first consideration when choosing head gasket thickness. Common rules of thumb put .036" at the minimum piston to head clearance figure for a steel rod motor. I've seen LSx based motors with as much as .015" positive deck height... this would put you at .036" quench which is the minimum...

Shane
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2007 | 07:42 PM
  #8  
brad8266's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 0
From: Watertown, NY
Default

he said in another thread deck height is zero.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 31, 2007 | 08:15 AM
  #9  
LostCauseZ06's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
From: Ogden, Utah
Default

deck height is zero, i forgot to mention that in the first post..
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2007 | 09:13 AM
  #10  
XtraCajunSS's Avatar
FormerVendor
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,954
Likes: 4
From: Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Default

Sorry guys I didn't see the other thread... Well, the numbers I gave still hold. You can go with the .040" gasket as long as long as you verify deck height before you put the heads back on. As far as the compression ratio question, With the proper tune, you can get by with that much compression with a good combustion chamber and excellent quench. Back in '02 I had a 408 solid roller with .030" quench... the pistons were just barely kissing the heads on cold startup. The motor made crazy power for the day. 12.0:1 compression on pump gas LS6 intake and stock TB and MAF I made 523 RWHP through a 9"... I still think the tight quench had at least a little to do with it!


Shane
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2007 | 09:22 AM
  #11  
ls1 joe's Avatar
FormerVendor
iTrader: (37)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,533
Likes: 3
From: Houston,Tx
Default

I know on my set up The pistons are .010 out of the hole and I run a .040 gasket which would yeld .030 quench. Usually when you run the quench on the tighter side it has less possibly of detontation, because it forces all of the air fuel molecules toward the spark plug.
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2007 | 09:27 AM
  #12  
LostCauseZ06's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
From: Ogden, Utah
Default

well.. just talked to chuck... hoping that erik will answe my PM here quick... come to find out what i was originally told is not true.. they are not zero decked... pistons are out of the hole from .005- .010... gotta have erik check my build sheet and see exactly what they are at.

if thats the case then some .040 cometics will work SWEET.. anybody know of anybody who stocks .040 cometics??? i need this car back up and running ASAP.
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2007 | 09:29 AM
  #13  
brad8266's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 0
From: Watertown, NY
Default

Thats a big gap for deck, better get the right number for deck. Thunder stocks .040 cometics, they will be out same day that you order them.
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2007 | 09:30 AM
  #14  
LostCauseZ06's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
From: Ogden, Utah
Default

well with the pistons .010 out of the hole and .040 cometic gaskets that puts me right at

11.8379 : 1 compression worst case scenario... that gives me a .030 quench as well which i think will work freaking sweet!
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2007 | 09:31 AM
  #15  
GrannySShifting's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,944
Likes: 21
From: Glen Burnie, Md
Default

the benefits of running it on the very edge of clearence I dont think are worth it for most guys. Its the 10% deal, getting within 90% of the tightest quench w/o hitting the heads is worth a good bit, but that last 10% is hard to come by and not worth as much. Id run a .035, or a .040 even. 5 thou isnt going to pick you up a magic 15 lbs of torque, and if your 5 wrong, you have problems, about 8 of them

Looks like a stout setup you have coming there either choice, 550 easy on a Djet I would think it could make
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2007 | 09:36 AM
  #16  
LostCauseZ06's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
From: Ogden, Utah
Default

Originally Posted by GrannySShifting
the benefits of running it on the very edge of clearence I dont think are worth it for most guys. Its the 10% deal, getting within 90% of the tightest quench w/o hitting the heads is worth a good bit, but that last 10% is hard to come by and not worth as much. Id run a .035, or a .040 even. 5 thou isnt going to pick you up a magic 15 lbs of torque, and if your 5 wrong, you have problems, about 8 of them

Looks like a stout setup you have coming there either choice, 550 easy on a Djet I would think it could make

hehe depends on if i ever upgrade my intake i put down 480 RWHP on the local dynojet but now it seems as though i was down or at least handicapped on that cylinder... (see other threads )
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2007 | 05:32 PM
  #17  
Doofy's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Janesville, WI
Default

Originally Posted by GrannySShifting
the benefits of running it on the very edge of clearence I dont think are worth it for most guys. Its the 10% deal, getting within 90% of the tightest quench w/o hitting the heads is worth a good bit, but that last 10% is hard to come by and not worth as much. Id run a .035, or a .040 even. 5 thou isnt going to pick you up a magic 15 lbs of torque, and if your 5 wrong, you have problems, about 8 of them
I just dealt with this today with my 408 L92 build. I decided to go with a .040 quench to be on the safe side even though it will be race motor more than a street motor

I had a 347 w/.030 quench and it spun a few rod bearings, yeah that was sweet
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2007 | 05:34 PM
  #18  
brad8266's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 0
From: Watertown, NY
Default

Originally Posted by Doofy
I had a 347 w/.030 quench and it spun a few rod bearings, yeah that was sweet
Had nothing to do with your quench.
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2007 | 08:58 PM
  #19  
ArcticZ28's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,125
Likes: 4
From: Alexandria, VA
Default

I would assume your pistons are .008 out of the hole like mine are from HPE. I run a Cometic .040 gasket with a .032 quench. To me and many other people, that's perfect.
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2007 | 10:54 PM
  #20  
Proud2bSS's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Reno, NV
Default

Originally Posted by LostCauseZ06
well with the pistons .010 out of the hole and .040 cometic gaskets that puts me right at

11.8379 : 1 compression worst case scenario... that gives me a .030 quench as well which i think will work freaking sweet!
I assume your actual CR will be lower than the calculated number due to your altitude (~4300 ASL)? or is your number the actual CR?
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:54 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE