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

Compression 402 shortblock, milled heads?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 14, 2008 | 12:49 PM
  #1  
robertbartsch's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,055
Likes: 1
From: Hartsdale, NY
Default Compression 402 shortblock, milled heads?

Ok so a few years back I converted my LS1 into an LS6 using SDPC ported heads that were shaved (milled) 60 thousands which increased the static compression Vs. stock.

If I go with a new 402 inch shortblock and use the old milled 60 LS6 heads, will that result in too much compression for a pump gas street car?

If yes, what is the remedy; using dish pistons, thicker gaskets, different heads?
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2008 | 06:50 PM
  #2  
robertbartsch's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,055
Likes: 1
From: Hartsdale, NY
Default

Dumb question?
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2008 | 07:49 PM
  #3  
HEMIETR's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 478
Likes: 0
From: Jenison, MI
Default

What cc are the heads? Whats the deck height of the new block? What pistons are in the new block. If your having someone build a 402, have it build so you can use the heads.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2008 | 08:10 PM
  #4  
hammertime's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 2
From: Smithton, IL
Default

Are you sure it was .060" milled, or did they mill the 64cc LS6 heads down to 60cc (roughly .024" removed)? At approximately 1cc for every .006 removed, your combustion chambers may be as small as 54cc, and you might also have the potential for intake alignment issues.

The 220/220 cam in your sig, installed at a 112* ICL, with a .053 head gasket (stock thickness) and a 60cc combustion chamber would yield a static compression of 11.28:1 and a DCR of 8.84:1 - about the max you could have run with such a thick gasket. Any advance, a thinner gasket, or smaller chamber would probably have resulted in detonation.

What will also help to determine what kind of compression you can get away with on pump fuel is the cam you are going to run. Any idea yet how big you'll be running?

PS - Any dyno #'s or track times from your current setup? I'm interested in a similar duration cam and AFR heads when the time comes.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2008 | 08:33 PM
  #5  
moeZ28's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 2
From: ashland, ky
Default

When I had the car in my sig...Those heads were milled about .060", or maybe even .070", and My intake was tight to go on. I had to use the proper torque sequence, and be really careful. It made a few popping sounds, not real loud or anything, but it went on. Be really careful with your intake if your heads are milled that much!!! My compression was around 11.3 - 11.5:1 and the car ran fine on pump gas. It did diesel off a little bit, you know that slight running after you shut it off like a diesel, but not for more than a second.

Last edited by moeZ28; Jan 14, 2008 at 08:35 PM. Reason: more info to add
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2008 | 12:04 AM
  #6  
robertbartsch's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,055
Likes: 1
From: Hartsdale, NY
Default

Yeh, the heads were really milled 60 thou... this was the first ported head from SDPC many years ago. I needed special lenght hardened pushrods because the heads were so much different from the factory spec.

I've had the LS6 intake off many times and it is a tad tricky but it does go on and off OK.

My car never deisels - even on regular gas and stock PCM/tune. No dino done or track times.

So if I go with a 402 I would likely need more than -2 dished pistons?
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2008 | 12:22 AM
  #7  
hammertime's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 2
From: Smithton, IL
Default

The problem is, you can build around those heads now, but if you decide you want a different head later, most heads for the larger bores have larger chambers. Basically, if you go with a large enough dish now, different heads will later leave you with relatively low compression.

For example, TSP L92 Heads are 67-72cc

Thought - What is the casting number on the heads? I'm assuming it is a 243 head, but it's possible that it is the similar 035 or 317 head that has the same port design. If that was milled & ported, some vendors sell tham as an "LS6 style" head.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:46 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE