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Old Apr 12, 2020 | 09:08 PM
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Default ZO6 Cylinder Head

I have 97 C5 fully stock engine. I have opportunity to buy 243 heads from 02 ZO6 with 37k miles on the heads.seller will include trick flow springs. My question is how much is the used 243 zo6 heads going for? I can get the heads for $275- Im pretty sure that's a killer price???

will this 243 heads fit direct on my engine?
What else do i need to install 243 heads on my engine?
Will my old cylinder head covers fit the zo6 heads? Can i reuse the old cylinder head bolts or do i have to buy new bolts if yes where can i get the new bolts from and brand name and part number will be appreciated. Anything else i need I'm forgetting that i need?
I plan to install LS6 intake manifold which i plan to puchare later install it same time with the ZO6 heads.

Last edited by 1997 C5; Apr 12, 2020 at 09:17 PM.
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Old Apr 13, 2020 | 11:02 AM
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I paid 300 for under 50k miles 243 heads about a year and a half ago. I also did a full LS6 top end if you will on my 97.

You will need new center bolt valve covers and the coil pack bracket and harness off of a 99 or newer car.

Of course highly recommend the LS6 intake as well as you know.

To take advantage of all these good parts you will need to re tune the car.

Might want to consider a cam change and long tubes at the same time. If you don't want to do a large cam I would suggest finding a stock cam from an 02-04 LS6.
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Old Apr 13, 2020 | 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr. Black
I paid 300 for under 50k miles 243 heads about a year and a half ago. I also did a full LS6 top end if you will on my 97.

You will need new center bolt valve covers and the coil pack bracket and harness off of a 99 or newer car.

Of course highly recommend the LS6 intake as well as you know.

To take advantage of all these good parts you will need to re tune the car.

Might want to consider a cam change and long tubes at the same time. If you don't want to do a large cam I would suggest finding a stock cam from an 02-04 LS6.
It adds up..fast.
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Old Apr 13, 2020 | 07:07 PM
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There is not enough room under the LS 6 intake manifold for the tubing coming from the rear steam (coolant air bleed pipes) on a '97. Kits are available to re route. You should do that.
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Old Apr 13, 2020 | 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by jim993
There is not enough room under the LS 6 intake manifold for the tubing coming from the rear steam (coolant air bleed pipes) on a '97. Kits are available to re route. You should do that.
While there is some truth to that, it can be made to work with the factory 4 corner steam pipe relatively easy. I just took of my 4 corner factory steam pipe and LS6 intake off today as I'm making the temporary switch to a FAST 92 intake.
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Old Apr 15, 2020 | 01:46 PM
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Originally Posted by jim993
There is not enough room under the LS 6 intake manifold for the tubing coming from the rear steam (coolant air bleed pipes) on a '97. Kits are available to re route. You should do that.
You can break off the ribs and sand down flush to surface will clear the coolant pipes.
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Old Apr 15, 2020 | 02:14 PM
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Originally Posted by 1997 C5
You can break off the ribs and sand down flush to surface will clear the coolant pipes.
exactly, it's very easy to do and does not affect the structural integrity any if at all in my opinion
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Old Apr 16, 2020 | 07:44 PM
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The heads add the potential for flow and power. To take advantage of that potential requires a cam. 243 heads add compression and some increased flow, as would a LS-6 intake manifold, but it's a considerable amount of work for just those gains. Even if you add Z06 heads, Z06 intake, AND a Z06 cam AND a new tune you gain 45 HP -- 345 stock LS-1 to 405 LS-6. Maybe a bit more since it would be a custom tune. Without the cam, the heads and intake have to add less than 45 HP, and heads alone even less.
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Old Apr 30, 2020 | 01:53 PM
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Looks like it does add up. I need to hunt for LS6 intake, head valve cover, coil brackets and coil harness. My parts Zo6 heads,cam,lifters,injectors will come today.
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Old Apr 30, 2020 | 02:19 PM
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I wouldn't bother with a Z06 stock cam. With the work involved in pulling the cam (and harmonic balancer - better replace that while you're at it), you'd be leaving a whole lot on the table.

If you're that far into the car, call a cam manufacturer like Texas Speed or Brian Tooley Racing and get an off-the-shelf cam or custom grind for a couple dollars more. You can buy a whole cam kit that will give you cam, springs that are matched to what you're going to put in, new timing chain, gaskets, oil pump, and lifters.

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Old Apr 30, 2020 | 03:28 PM
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Originally Posted by neutron82
exactly, it's very easy to do and does not affect the structural integrity any if at all in my opinion
Did the same to mine....Very easy with a grinder...much better then plugging the rear ports
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Old Apr 30, 2020 | 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Stingroo
I wouldn't bother with a Z06 stock cam. With the work involved in pulling the cam (and harmonic balancer - better replace that while you're at it), you'd be leaving a whole lot on the table.

If you're that far into the car, call a cam manufacturer like Texas Speed or Brian Tooley Racing and get an off-the-shelf cam or custom grind for a couple dollars more. You can buy a whole cam kit that will give you cam, springs that are matched to what you're going to put in, new timing chain, gaskets, oil pump, and lifters.

While this is absolutely correct you have to remember that not everyone likes a lumpy cam or a car that shakes at idle. Also speaking from experience getting the idle to work perfectly on a 1997 PCM can be a serious pain in the *** with a cam swap. That is speaking from experience. Like I said though, I agree and always run aftermarket cams. Just might not be for the OP.

The Z06 cam makes great power for a factory cam as long as it's not from an 01.
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Old Apr 30, 2020 | 09:09 PM
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Originally Posted by 1997 C5
Looks like it does add up. I need to hunt for LS6 intake, head valve cover, coil brackets and coil harness.

I have everyone of those parts in excellent condition. I wish you didn't live 3/4s the way across the country.
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Old Apr 30, 2020 | 09:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr. Black
While this is absolutely correct you have to remember that not everyone likes a lumpy cam or a car that shakes at idle. Also speaking from experience getting the idle to work perfectly on a 1997 PCM can be a serious pain in the *** with a cam swap. That is speaking from experience. Like I said though, I agree and always run aftermarket cams. Just might not be for the OP.

The Z06 cam makes great power for a factory cam as long as it's not from an 01.
So you get something with a wider LSA and less aggressive. Still plenty of gains to be had from a cam swap with almost no impact on real world mileage if you keep your driving habits the same.

Can't speak to anything on the tuning side though - I have a guy for that. lol
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Old Apr 30, 2020 | 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr. Black
I have everyone of those parts in excellent condition. I wish you didn't live 3/4s the way across the country.
I fedex shipped an intake manifold from Florida to the Canadian border for about $40 about a month and a half ago. Might not be as bad as you think!
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Old May 1, 2020 | 05:20 AM
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Moved to C5 Tech.
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Old May 2, 2020 | 11:04 AM
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Id do like a 228R cam...it is a really nice cam for the LS1. Talk to Texas Speed and tell them what you are doing and they will guide ya on cams. You will need new lifters, push rods, lifter buckets, front main seal, might as well do a new balancer while there, balancer bolt, maybe a new front cover seal, oil pressure sending unit (might as well), new head bolts (fel-pro brand are decent priced), head gaskets (multi layered steel), timing chain, oil pump (high volume), cam bolts, maybe add the melling timing chain damper, the valve covers/bolts/coil brackets/harness, water pump gaskets, might as well add new belts and pulleys, throttle body coolant bypass, spark plugs, might as well add new PVC stuff. Of course coolant and oil with filter.

prob missing stuff still. A quality cam kit will come with a lot of those cam install related items.

Ebay stores and Rock Auto for some of the regular maintenance stuff
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Old May 2, 2020 | 11:07 AM
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Originally Posted by dskinsler83
Id do like a 228R cam...it is a really nice cam for the LS1. Talk to Texas Speed and tell them what you are doing and they will guide ya on cams. You will need new lifters, push rods, lifter buckets, front main seal, might as well do a new balancer while there, balancer bolt, maybe a new front cover seal, oil pressure sending unit (might as well), new head bolts (fel-pro brand are decent priced), head gaskets (multi layered steel), timing chain, oil pump (high volume), cam bolts, maybe add the melling timing chain damper, the valve covers/bolts/coil brackets/harness, water pump gaskets, might as well add new belts and pulleys, throttle body coolant bypass, spark plugs, might as well add new PVC stuff. Of course coolant and oil with filter.

prob missing stuff still. A quality cam kit will come with a lot of those cam install related items.

Ebay stores and Rock Auto for some of the regular maintenance stuff
You mean high PRESSURE oil pump. The C5 already has oil starvation issues. Wouldn't make them worse with a HV pump.
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Old May 2, 2020 | 11:16 AM
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Brian tooley racing is another good source for cam related info and kits
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Old May 2, 2020 | 11:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Stingroo
You mean high PRESSURE oil pump. The C5 already has oil starvation issues. Wouldn't make them worse with a HV pump.

I was advised that an older engine needs the high volume pumps.
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