Heads are off, now what?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 5
From: Midlothian Texas
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Heads are off, now what?
Just pulled the heads and sent them off for bigger valves, springs, and a hand porting job. My questions are:
1. Stock GM head bolts or ARP?
2. ARP bolts or stud kit? (big cost difference here)
3. How do you clean up the piston tops? should you?
4. Port and polish the throttle body?
Seems like a good time to do most anything. Any suggestions?
1. Stock GM head bolts or ARP?
2. ARP bolts or stud kit? (big cost difference here)
3. How do you clean up the piston tops? should you?
4. Port and polish the throttle body?
Seems like a good time to do most anything. Any suggestions?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Re: Heads are off, now what? (Dugmole)
For the first question, how far are you actually taking this motor, if it's going to remain stock (except for the head work) stay with stock bolts, if your going to do other work then upgrade to ARP, if you ever plan on Forced induction or nitrous then use the studs.
2. if the top of the pistons just have a light covering of carbon then don't worry about it, other wise rotate each piston to top dead center and then use a stiff brush or scotch-brite to remove the carbon.
3.sure, why not as long as you have the time, it definitely won't hurt anything.
Sounds like your gonna have a nice car when your done :cheers:
2. if the top of the pistons just have a light covering of carbon then don't worry about it, other wise rotate each piston to top dead center and then use a stiff brush or scotch-brite to remove the carbon.
3.sure, why not as long as you have the time, it definitely won't hurt anything.
Sounds like your gonna have a nice car when your done :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Re: Heads are off, now what? (Dugmole)
1. Stock GM head bolts or ARP?
I used the ARP studs. Best decision I made.
2. ARP bolts or stud kit? (big cost difference here)
I like the studs over the bolts even though they're a little more work. The studs stay in permanently so you don't have to clean the bolt holes out every time you pull the heads. Also, the studs prevent you from stripping the aluminum threads and allow a more accurate torqueing.
3. How do you clean up the piston tops? should you?
I had a coating that was a good .030" to .050" thick. It probably raises compression slightly and creates hot spots for potential detonation. A buddy and I scraped the crud off with razor blades. Cleaned up nicely.
.
4. Port and polish the throttle body?
I think it's a good mod although I added it at the same time as h/c so can't tell you what it's worth hp-wise
Seems like a good time to do most anything. Any suggestions?
Upgrade the pushrods.
Swap out to the Z06 PCV valley system.
Upgrade to the Z06 intake if you don't have it.
Port match intake to heads.
I used the ARP studs. Best decision I made.
2. ARP bolts or stud kit? (big cost difference here)
I like the studs over the bolts even though they're a little more work. The studs stay in permanently so you don't have to clean the bolt holes out every time you pull the heads. Also, the studs prevent you from stripping the aluminum threads and allow a more accurate torqueing.
3. How do you clean up the piston tops? should you?
I had a coating that was a good .030" to .050" thick. It probably raises compression slightly and creates hot spots for potential detonation. A buddy and I scraped the crud off with razor blades. Cleaned up nicely.
.
4. Port and polish the throttle body?
I think it's a good mod although I added it at the same time as h/c so can't tell you what it's worth hp-wise
Seems like a good time to do most anything. Any suggestions?
Upgrade the pushrods.
Swap out to the Z06 PCV valley system.
Upgrade to the Z06 intake if you don't have it.
Port match intake to heads.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 5
From: Midlothian Texas
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Re: Heads are off, now what? (Patches)
runamuck, Patches..
Wow, I thought for sure this topic would fall to the bottom faster than ever, thanks for the responses.
I will probably go with the ARP stud kit. :D
Although a little expensive (for hardware) I like the concept. Who has the best pricing on this kit?
Wow, I thought for sure this topic would fall to the bottom faster than ever, thanks for the responses.
I will probably go with the ARP stud kit. :D
Although a little expensive (for hardware) I like the concept. Who has the best pricing on this kit?
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 4
From: Livermore CA
Re: Heads are off, now what? (Dugmole)
Dont use the Stud Kit unless you plan on using a torque plate to do them....and even then I wouldnt use it. Its an aluminum block, and the way the studs put force on the cylinders, you can twist the cylinder with a stud kit. The Factory GM bolts are good enough, even alot of 427 engines are using them. Or if you take your heads off enough, then use the ARP bolt kit. Not the stud kit. My 2 cents.
Rick
[Modified by Synergy Motorsports, 6:44 PM 7/14/2003]
Rick
[Modified by Synergy Motorsports, 6:44 PM 7/14/2003]
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