Tom Suddard
Digital Experience Director
2/5/18 3:28 p.m.
When we tore down our $400 LS1, we discovered some positive things and some negative things. We also discovered a horrible thing: The stock 853-code heads, which are regarded as some of the worst flowing to ever top an LS-based engine. We didn't quite know what our engine's destiny would be, but we…
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NickD
UltraDork
2/5/18 3:39 p.m.
5.3L heads can have LS1-sized valves installed in them, and have a slightly smaller combustion chamber that will give a compression boost.
Good to see this one's still moving forward albeit slowly. What years and models did the 799 heads appear in?
Tom Suddard
Digital Experience Director
2/5/18 3:47 p.m.
799 heads are from 2005 and newer 4.8 and 5.3-liter trucks.
FYI the front drive 5.3 engines have 243 heads
5.3 heads have been a well kept secret for a while. How do you think you get 400hp from a 5.3 with just a cam change and a carb? It is all about the stock heads on those being so good.
Will
UltraDork
2/5/18 5:36 p.m.
Been a minute, but aren't the rockers in 5.3 heads better than the LS1 parts?
JBasham
HalfDork
3/19/18 12:04 p.m.
I'm loving this project. But I have to say, I have always thought the reason motor-swappers pay up for an LS engine instead of a Ford was the turn-key package of HP and TQ. None of that fussing around required with SBF. This project is making me rethink that.