Bill Bowling

iTrader: (6)

I am getting a set of Dart 205cc heads and wanted everyones say on what head gasket and head bolts should I go with. My cam and other mods are staying the same. Should I stick with the stock head gasket or go with a .040 gasket to get the CR up?

Should I go with ARP or stock head bolts?

My car is a daily driver with 35K miles.

The stock parts are a lot cheaper but I want to do it right.

Thanks,
Bill

Sigforty

My car was done with Cometic head gaskets and ARP head studs. That is both with the old 346 and now my 383.

405HP_Z06

iTrader: (11)

Dart recommends the 6.0L GM or Fel Pro 1161L & 1161R head gaskets. For bolts, your choice but you must use new one's.

I've got some Dart 225's that I'll be installing in a few months.

LS1rulz

iTrader: (1)

At least use the ARP head bolts if you don't use studs.

Studytime

iTrader: (15)

Some ARP head bolts just for the sake of torquing simplicity would not be a bad idea. I'd grab some cometic head gaskets. That would increase your compression to around the 11.1:1 area.

Ben T.

Bill Bowling

iTrader: (6)

Do you know which cometic head gaskets I need for the Darts?

Thanks,
Bill

Bill Bowling

iTrader: (6)

I jusr got the heads in. I have to go open the boxes and take some pictures.

Bill

Bill Bowling

iTrader: (6)

Picture of the new Dart Heads I just received.

Bill

405HP_Z06

iTrader: (11)

Looks awesome! I can't wait to get mine installed also!

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

I went with the GM MLS 6.0 gaskets, they are a little more forgiving and a lot of guys with the Cometics were having leaks at the time I did my heads. I also did the ARP studs. They are great and I would do them again in a heartbeat. Can't wait to see your results.

Just looked at the photo's, looks like they are using a different valve seal then mine had. I have some of the first ones out.

Bill Bowling

iTrader: (6)

Did you use the stock exhaust gaskets?

Bill

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

I used the earlier Camaro gaskets as they fit the headers better than the 02 Vette gaskets that came on the car originally.

JPH

iTrader: (2)

cometic 3.960/.040 is what i use, along with arp #134-3609 bolts.

405HP_Z06

iTrader: (11)

The combustion chamber is approximately 3.970" across, so the 3.960 will allow the the fire ring to protrude into the chamber slightly. I'm not sure I would run that gasket bore.

Dart recommends a 4.100 gasket bore.

405HP_Z06

iTrader: (11)

Same here, they work great.

DaveX

As far as the gasket thickness goes, you need to figure that based on your scr, cam & target dcr.

Bill Bowling

iTrader: (6)

I am going with the ARP Bolts. Still not sure about the head gasket. I get a 8.26 DCR with the stock and 8.51 with the .040. I am thinking the 8.51 might be too high for a daily driver.

Bill

DaveX

8.51 would be great, that's where you want it for good torque and throttle response. And it should be fine with at least 91 octane.

Bill Bowling

iTrader: (6)

I just ordered a few more parts but still have not ordered the head gaskets. I am going with the Cometic .040 gasket. Just trying to find out which bore to use. They do not have a 4.100 bore.I was thinking of the C5318-040 part number. the bore is 4.160"

Bill

405HP_Z06

iTrader: (11)

You may want to give Dart a call concerning head gaskets. They provided plenty of excellent technical information.

Just as an FYI, they recommend the Fel Pro 1161L and 1161R for the LSx. They are .053" thick but according to them are better than the Cometic.