Hello! I have a '86 (stock) with iron heads, are there direct replacement Aluminum heads available? Is the '86 5.7 a stand alone engine? I'm confused. Any help is appreciated!

 

'86 was the year they changed to aluminum heads mid year. When they introduced the convertibles they all got aluminum heads and the 86L coupes did too. I think you could bolt up any aluminum corvette heads from 86L to 91 and it would be a direct fit. But I am not an L98 guy so wait for them to post before you go out and buy. There should be some take offs out there as may have gone with aftermarkets.

 

you need different heads than factory corvette heads. you do not have dished pistons, and the alum. headed engine got dished pistons to keep the compresion ratio in check.
Probably a better replacement is the vortec head redrilled for standard intake bolt pattern as sold by paceperformance.com

Ok, that said, I have an 86, and I did that. 87 alum. heads on an Iron headed short block.
You have to run premium gas, and retard the timing a couple degrees.
result?
1. your gas mileage will go up, and the pinging happens if you aren't in the right gear.
You can't do full throttle drags off the line unless your tires don't hook up, then you are fine. But I get 32-33 MPG highway, 18 MPG around town. I get 20.8 avg city, freeway, 25 miles each way to work with half of it stop and go traffic. If I keep the rev's up, I can hot rod it all day.
2. Engine temps are 100 degrees over ambient (100 degree day, the temp in traffic runs 200 degrees) 195 on the freeway at 75 with mild hills, not mountain driving, 1700 RPM.
You have to keep the radiator clean, and debris clear at all times.
3. The rocker covers stop leaking, and your car is 60 lbs lighter on the nose.
4. Expect some slight bump steer since your car will sit 1/2 -3-4 inches higher.
5. you will want to change to an 84 z51 solid front sway bar to counteract a little skittishness at higher speeds induced by the front end going up