L98 Cracked Heads
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Springhill, TN
L98 Cracked Heads
I purchased a 87 coupe with motor problems in December. I have just got around to tearing it down to discover both heads are cracked. I have heard that they can be welded. is this worth it or should I invest in a set of performance heads. I would like to boost the HP to around 300. I had a 93 that was stolen and a 94 that I traded in on a wife and 2 1/2 kids (one step child) and like the power that the LT1 had. What would be the cheapest way to get to 300hp. I figured that heads would be the first step since they are cracked any way. I am wondering if i should just get it running or wait till i a had some more cash saved to up grade?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,551
Likes: 36
From: Jenks OK
More aftermarket? Alright...I say upgrade the heads, by the time you're done having them welded and then ported to get to the HP numbers you're looking at you'll be out the cost of a new set of performance heads anyways.
You aren't getting to 300 without a new set of heads on the car anyways.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
I purchased a 87 coupe with motor problems in December. I have just
got around to tearing it down to discover both heads are cracked. I
have heard that they can be welded. is this worth it or should I invest
in a set of performance heads. I would like to boost the HP to around
300. What would be the cheapest way to get to 300hp. I figured that
heads would be the first step since they are cracked any way. I am
wondering if i should just get it running or wait till I had some more
cash saved to up grade?
got around to tearing it down to discover both heads are cracked. I
have heard that they can be welded. is this worth it or should I invest
in a set of performance heads. I would like to boost the HP to around
300. What would be the cheapest way to get to 300hp. I figured that
heads would be the first step since they are cracked any way. I am
wondering if i should just get it running or wait till I had some more
cash saved to up grade?
cost more than replacing them.
For replacement there is OEM for a direct bolt-on solution (but little
if any improvement), and there is aftermarket (which almost always
entails additional work $$.)
One aftermarket option to consider is what Trick Flow now call their
Super 23 Street. There are several good heads on the market, the
advanage of these is that in addition to flowing considerably better
than the OEM heads, the TF have 54-56cc chamber sizes and are
essentially bolt-on replacements. I know of no other aftermarket Al
heads on the shelf with chambers this size.
For assembled heads, the product choices currently listed at TF's
site are
Perimeter bolt
30300001 - 0.480 in.
30300002 - 0.540 in.
30300003 - 0.600 in.
Centerbolt
30300005 - 0.480 in.
30300006 - 0.540 in.
30300007 - 0.600 in.
Some tips about the part number nomenclature. TF identifies products30300001 - 0.480 in.
30300002 - 0.540 in.
30300003 - 0.600 in.
Centerbolt
30300005 - 0.480 in.
30300006 - 0.540 in.
30300007 - 0.600 in.
using the following scheme: ***AB**C (ie: 30300007). The alpha/numeric
values in positions A, B and C refer to:
A: casting qty - 0 & 2 means 'pair', 1 means 'each'
B: bare or assembled - 0 means assembled
c: max lift and v-cover bolt style
As always, do your own due diligence.
B: bare or assembled - 0 means assembled
c: max lift and v-cover bolt style
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
If you want 300 HP go ahead and do after market heads/cam now. Your 128 heads aren't that great anyway. Trying to salvage them makes no sense to me. You need to stay around 180-190 cc heads. Brodix or Edelbrock will cost less than others. Go ahead and install a cam with more lift while you are at it. With the proper combo you should pop over 300 CHP.
Edit: just had another thought. You can get bare ZZ4 heads for under $500 that will bolt right up. You can use GMPP valve train parts as well.
Edit: just had another thought. You can get bare ZZ4 heads for under $500 that will bolt right up. You can use GMPP valve train parts as well.
Last edited by BADDUCK; Jan 30, 2008 at 09:41 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
I would just get the heads rewelded (if they can, sometimes...) Anyway it's going to take more than heads to get you there. You can be using the car until you decide what to do, and your old heads would then be worth about $400 to someone (They actually are quite sought after).
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Springhill, TN
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 4
From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Take a look at these:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...part=EDL-60879
BTW, my vote is to buy the after market heads.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...part=EDL-60879
BTW, my vote is to buy the after market heads.
Last edited by RandyJ75; Jan 31, 2008 at 03:40 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Springhill, TN
I think i will go with after market heads and a new cam. The only issue now is should I rebuild the transmission while i got it a torn down and how do i do that is a gravel driveway in the middle of winter........ The wife won the big master bed room vs a garage when we purchased the house. Thanks for everyones input.
