C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

angle spark plug style heads

Old Mar 27, 2026 | 08:42 AM
  #1  
Nilak's Avatar
Nilak
Thread Starter
Racer
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 360
Likes: 59
Default angle spark plug style heads

I’ve just installed a set of Flotek 101-505 cylinder heads because of a small leak in the head gasket. the engine is a good quality crate engine. there was a double mosfet radiator fan failure and the engine got overheated then developed a fine leak. it came with angle spark plug style heads, like on my 91 tpi, but perimeter bolts. I wanted to have a good spare to swap quickly and to revert to center valve cover bolts but turned out the corvette valve covers would not fit. Not a big problem because they have perimeter holes as well. …Just some context to explain my choices.
But now the real problem is the spark plug holes although angles left/right away from the headers tubes they also point down. I guess those work with cast iron ram horns c3 that are mounted above the plugs. In the pictures the threaded holes look normal like on the l98, anyway I though there were only two versions: straight and angled.
What do you think I should do.?
I could resurface the original ones and remove the Flotek heads put everything back or make some custom headers, if that is even possible
there are also aftermarket headers that work with corvettes but not sure which ones would work?

my stock headers also have multiple repairs and might be fragile at this point so new ones would have some advantages like, would be more reliable, flow better and compatibility with both sets of cylinder heads.
thanks
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2026 | 11:04 AM
  #2  
AZSP33D's Avatar
AZSP33D
Drifting
 
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,707
Likes: 734
From: Stay dangerous my friends
Default

Most L98 engines/heads have angled plugs for header clearance, and aftermarket headers are usually configured for angled plugs.

ARH headers on 1984 C4 and most will be about the same:


Reply
Old Mar 27, 2026 | 12:02 PM
  #3  
Nilak's Avatar
Nilak
Thread Starter
Racer
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 360
Likes: 59
Default

this is the datasheet
this is the datasheet
Thanks. your engine looks fantastic
these Flotek 101-505 seem to be a bid different and since the spark plugs get to close to the exhaust tubes, even with the heat shield removed, it is possible to have the same issue with other headers. I've called an exhaust specialist and he said he could modify or build new ones.
the exhaust hasket is slightly thicker, made of aluminum sheets, I suppose that shoudn't be a problem

I think I'll just resurface the original ones that came with the engine and put them back. these Flotek should've fit but maybe they are not that reliable and not worth modifying the exhaust for them.

Last edited by Nilak; Mar 27, 2026 at 04:15 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2026 | 06:54 PM
  #4  
Gale Banks 80''s Avatar
Gale Banks 80'
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 551
From: Seattle Washington
Default

Hooker Headers work much better with Angled Plugs than Straight. I have been battling Straight Plug AFR 195s for years and just switched to Angle AFRs.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2026 | 09:50 AM
  #5  
Nilak's Avatar
Nilak
Thread Starter
Racer
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 360
Likes: 59
Default

thanks. I will put the heads old back. the stock system is easier to live with than with long tube headers. I also need the air system for MOT. My stock manifolds also have v-band fittings at the collector and it is easier to work with .
the old heads have angled spark plugs holes but they are also compatible with stock manifolds. next time I will probably buy the same heads as a spare, since they are angled correctly and don’t have other issues
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To angle spark plug style heads



Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:47 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 11:09:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE