Drive the car, chances are your heads are fine. Don't believe all the fake news out there, enjoy your awesome car!
427 head fix options
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Joined: Apr 2018
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427 head fix options
I am about to receive my 427 convertible and the car is bone stock, 24k miles. Of course I am going to address the heads first to be able to sleep at night. I am fairly certain I want to go with RPM’s head/cam package with the AI worked head and B3 cam. I will be doing this kind of backwards because I am worried about the heads ( I would typically do exhaust first). I am going to be getting the car in about a week (bought out of state), and I am going to want to drive it when I get it so I was also considering a PRC head, as the lead time for RPMs package is about 10 weeks apparently. This forum has me so worried about the heads that I am trying to get the quickest solution I can find lol. Would you go with the RPM package, roll the dice and wait the 10 weeks or do a PRC head that I assume I can get faster ?
any input is appreciated from those that have done this recently. I read a lot about the PRC heads and a few issues but apparently they redesigned them a few years ago so I’m not sure they still have any issues or not. I’ll be doing the install myself, as I did a cam on my c5 so I’m fairly confident I will be OK with this as well.
any input is appreciated from those that have done this recently. I read a lot about the PRC heads and a few issues but apparently they redesigned them a few years ago so I’m not sure they still have any issues or not. I’ll be doing the install myself, as I did a cam on my c5 so I’m fairly confident I will be OK with this as well.
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Joined: Dec 2013
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All at one time, hence cam and head upgrades together.
Hence ls7 head upgrade is to change over to stronger SS valves that are fitted to the guides (to remove excess lash), and install new valve seals.
On cam upgrade, will have to replace the valve springs, so would be paying twice to pull the heads if two stepped isntead.
Hence ls7 head upgrade is to change over to stronger SS valves that are fitted to the guides (to remove excess lash), and install new valve seals.
On cam upgrade, will have to replace the valve springs, so would be paying twice to pull the heads if two stepped isntead.
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Melbourne, FL
Step one, RELAX. Much is made about the head issue, but the data shows it to be a far lower probability than the internet would have you think. Consider it made it 24k miles on the heads already. Are you going to put 20k miles on it in 10 weeks? Probably not.
It's a scary thought, but you also have to recognize, there are FAR more cars with stock heads and no issues than cars that developed issues.
It's a scary thought, but you also have to recognize, there are FAR more cars with stock heads and no issues than cars that developed issues.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,472
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From: Chester County Pennsylvania
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2011 Z07 purchased new, at 3,000 miles the valve guides were toast, the heads were replaced under my GMMP warranty. It’s a real issue, every LS7 is a potential problem yes some heads were built fine by Linamar, some were not; like mine, right out of the gate, it’s like Russian roulette, you won’t know until it happens.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Southeast TX
I know quite a few Vette owners. Exactly one with a C6 Z06. He trashed his engine due to valve issue. New block, new rotating assembly, and one new cylinder head to put it back together. He wouldn't tell me what it cost him. Probably a dab more than just fixing the heads.
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Yes, some heads where bad from the start, while others go bad from wear of a motor that rev's to 7K.
If the motor is going to spend most of it life at 2K rpms driving miss daisy, may not have a problem, but if its going to spend it life being rev ranger'd, then have the heads reworked. Hell considering that you are buying the car used, last owner have been driving it like he stole it, and a valve may be ready to snap already from stem to guide wear the first time you rev the motor over 5K.
So again, the problem is loose fit/wear between the guide to steam, which the valve is returning to the seat at higher revs, does not seat square to the seat on closure, and this causes the sodium filled valve stem to snap at the valve head..
So this,
Cases this,
If the motor is going to spend most of it life at 2K rpms driving miss daisy, may not have a problem, but if its going to spend it life being rev ranger'd, then have the heads reworked. Hell considering that you are buying the car used, last owner have been driving it like he stole it, and a valve may be ready to snap already from stem to guide wear the first time you rev the motor over 5K.
So again, the problem is loose fit/wear between the guide to steam, which the valve is returning to the seat at higher revs, does not seat square to the seat on closure, and this causes the sodium filled valve stem to snap at the valve head..
So this,
Cases this,
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Joined: Aug 2017
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From: "Sweet Home" Alabama
Purchased a 2013 / 427 back in Jan 2020, she was a Garage Queen, original owner clocked under 10K miles. The Original Owner provided an ample amount of maintenance receipts and said he had resolved the heads issue within the first year of ownership. I am a driver, not a mechanic and have no clue on how to validate if the work was even done. There is a short receipt showing amount paid to a company called “Texas Speed” for about $1,700 but it does not have an itemized list of what was done. I know this company works on performance upgrades, does that cost sound right to fix the head issue?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Chester County Pennsylvania
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Purchased a 2013 / 427 back in Jan 2020, she was a Garage Queen, original owner clocked under 10K miles. The Original Owner provided an ample amount of maintenance receipts and said he had resolved the heads issue within the first year of ownership. I am a driver, not a mechanic and have no clue on how to validate if the work was even done. There is a short receipt showing amount paid to a company called “Texas Speed” for about $1,700 but it does not have an itemized list of what was done. I know this company works on performance upgrades, does that cost sound right to fix the head issue?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2018
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heads
Thank you all to who replied! Since i started the thread I went ahead and purchased AI heads and the B3 cam from RPM motorsports. They are fixed and ported stock heads along with a cam that makes some really good power from what i see. 600 to the tire with a good exhaust and intake setup! I was told that the lead time is about 8 to 10 weeks, so I am going to "roll" the dice on driving the car after i get it because there is no way i would be able to leave a new (to me) corvette in my garage and not drive it!! i will pull a valve cover and do a quick wiggle test on them when i get the car just to be sure they aren't ready to fall out haha.
I am now onto a new problem -- I bought the car through a dealer in texas and i live in missouri. The shipping companies are taking their sweet time to pick up the car and i was told it may take a few weeks to get! that completely sucks but i guess all good things are worth the wait!!!
I am now onto a new problem -- I bought the car through a dealer in texas and i live in missouri. The shipping companies are taking their sweet time to pick up the car and i was told it may take a few weeks to get! that completely sucks but i guess all good things are worth the wait!!!