I have a 1998 extended cab Z71 (did have a '99) with 59K miles. I recently found out that I have a blown head gasket. Since I'm pulling the heads to replace both, I'm thinking there is no reason to put it back stock Does anyone have any computer friendly ideas???

 

I would go with the Edelbrock heads. I had my stock ones ported and machined for the higher lift along with screw in studs, but wish I had went with different heads. Also while your intake manifold is off, add the Vmax intake spacer.

 

Edelbrock 170 cc or 200cc ETEC heads
or the 210cc Fastburn GMPP heads

or teh newer Bowtie largeport or smallport Vortec cast iron heads.

These are all improvements over the poor exhaust ports of the Vortec L31 Vortec 350 heads.

the Vmax spacer is a nice upgrade as well.

I am running the MArine intake as well, nice intake.

Here is the thread
http://www.pacificp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=317

the marine intake allows you to run ANY sized injector you want, the stock 19 pph injectors wont support over 400 crank hp NA. The stock intake is highly restrictive as all teh injectors, fuel tubes are directly in the intake air path.

The Ramjet 350 intake is a nice intake as well.

Any head changes you make should really be accompanied by a PCM tune as well.

peace
Hog

 

did my budies truck motor for him i went eagle rotating asembly 355 and bought the new gm performance vortec heads with marine intake and gm hot cam kit really was a good comboran very very strong though the entire rpm band and only had about 2200 in the whole rebuild

 

Do you guys have any recommendations on tuners? Also, are there any good headers for these engines? BTW, that is a sweet looking Yukon.

 

try using the victor reinz head gaskets. they are around .030 + or - a few. part number if i remember right is 5746. they are thinner than stock for a bump in compression. then try a stock lt4 cam with 1.6 rockers. that willl get you up around .480 lift which is max on vortec heads.

 

In my opinion, Cometic C5474-040 head gaskets are the best Vortec gaskets available. These are Viton-coated multi-layer steel and have the valve reliefs you need for Vortec heads. They're expensive but they will hold 900HP.


As for heads, the easiest bolt-up would be the 170cc Edelbrock E-Tec. The intake port angles match the intake, so no porting of your intake is required. The 200cc version is too large for a naturally-aspirated Vortec.

 

Are you 100% sure the head gasket is blown? Those are notprious for the intake gaskets breaking and leaking coolant externally. If you have an external coolant leak I almost guarentee you it is the lower intake gasket and not a head gasket.

Dave

 

Well, I'm 99% sure. I pulled the plugs, and the #2 plug was a burnt red color. That makes me think that the red coolant is getting in there, and burning off. There are no external leaks, and it feels just a little underpowered. I don't guess I'll know 100% until I pull it apart though.

 

Does anyone know if full lengh 1 3/4 long tubes off of the Lt1 cameros will fit the 1996-1998 chevy half ton trucks. I am tired of the thorly tri y headers ive had on my 97 for 4 yrs and want to try something new. I have heard some were that they will fit with some mods and am looking for someone who has done it. AM NOT SCARED OF A CUTT TORCH.