When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Although this involves a crate motor, since the LS7 is an engine that came out in the C6, I am moving this to C6 Tech where hopefully the members there can assist you with some recommendations.
I am looking into option after speaking with a few porting services. It seems there really is nothing surefire relating to a long term fix for the Valves. I am an outside of the box thinker and locally, there are not many reputable shops I trust. I am looking to get likely a reasonable set of Castings and peice out the Intake/Exaust valves, Porting, and spring kit, along with possibly roller rockers.
I am trying to keep the cost lower, knowing and accepting that these are just wear items, but I also will not be sending mine out, so I need to straight up purchase a casting of some sort.
Not a Z06'er unfortunately, but I have a swapped 5th gen Camaro with GM crate motor.
I of course am interested in fixing the heads like most and looking for the best option.
My engine/ cam specs: Cam spec, etc Numbers
Welcome to the forum. First question I have is who did the swap? If GM did it at a dealer, and all the supporting parts, like the factory 427/570 preloaded tune PCM was also installed, you should have a warranty. If not, warranty void. That said, if you do have the warranty, don't alter anything until the warranty expires. A day after the warranty expires, I'd at least wiggle test the valves, and pull the heads for a comprehensive inspection by a pro, like AHP or WCCH. If you have no warranty, you should be good for 5,000-10,000 worry free miles. At that point, pull the heads, and have them inspected by the aforementioned pro's. The LS7 is a fantastic engine. It's also a crap shoot as to whether you get a good one, or not. The LS7 engine is one of the very few engines I'd ever be willing to pay more for an untouched, 100,000 mile version, than a 20,000 mile "fixed" version. I know, doesn't sound right. But an LS7 that's gone 100 thou without any issues imho has everything machined as the engineers specified, and all coated items were coated and polished correctly. My opinion.
Welcome to the forum. First question I have is who did the swap? If GM did it at a dealer, and all the supporting parts, like the factory 427/570 preloaded tune PCM was also installed, you should have a warranty. If not, warranty void. That said, if you do have the warranty, don't alter anything until the warranty expires. A day after the warranty expires, I'd at least wiggle test the valves, and pull the heads for a comprehensive inspection by a pro, like AHP or WCCH. If you have no warranty, you should be good for 5,000-10,000 worry free miles. At that point, pull the heads, and have them inspected by the aforementioned pro's. The LS7 is a fantastic engine. It's also a crap shoot as to whether you get a good one, or not. The LS7 engine is one of the very few engines I'd ever be willing to pay more for an untouched, 100,000 mile version, than a 20,000 mile "fixed" version. I know, doesn't sound right. But an LS7 that's gone 100 thou without any issues imho has everything machined as the engineers specified, and all coated items were coated and polished correctly. My opinion.
Motor was purchased and installed in August last year by an a small shop, not GM. Since I have a 5th Gen Camaro the Harness for the motor is plug and play, however the car still needed a tuning solution. I used HP tuners and well as you can see it made pretty good number for a low lift cam and not much supporting mods. (Long tube headers, Cold Air Intake, Exhaust with the stock LS7 manifold). I doubt for the fact that it was tuned and installed other than at a GM dealer it is warrantied any further.
Honestly, I wouldn't have trusted a dealer to do the work. There was some customization that had to be done for the Catch can and Ls3 Oil pan conversion and block off as well as custom oil cooler installation. I documented the install and tune, but doubtful GM would cover anything in event of failure.
Thus, I figure, do the heads before I have to worry. I have about 3k miles on the break in and still have to change the oil. I have a blackstone cup I intend to send out. But I would rather have the heads done sooner than later. I have seen the stories of even low miles dropping valvles..
Intro..
