I am thinking about doing some more work to the firebird in the upcoming months. It will not make it out this summer, so I am going to take it apart and do some much needed TLC and maybe get a few things done in the meantime.

I am looking at some ebay 5.3L heads, and it has been so long since I really thought about it I wanted to get some input.

My garage should have full modlist, but what is important is that it has a TSP torquer V.2 cam and dual springs and has a roughly tuned 125 or 150 shot on it (i cant remember which I have in there)

What would CNC's 5.3L heads do to my compression, and what will I need to do in tuning to make sure I don't blow this up?

I was also thinking about upgrading to 99 knock sensors at some point, but I no longer remember how difficult that would be.

what do you guys think?

 

I'll let someone else field the cam question. But for the mechanics of it, do you know your current engine specs (deck height, type of pistons, compressed head gasket thickness, c.c. of current heads, and c.c of new heads)? Those figures are needed to know where your c.r. is coming from and going to, instead of just being able to say "gee, it's gonna be a little higher or lower" whichever the case may be.

 

well, the cam isnt a question. I already have that cam.

and I know 5.3L heads will increase the compression, I guess what I am asking is if I am already running a little rich will I need to trailer it and retune before driving or will all be ok.

all other engine components are stock.

 

^ man, seems running rich is contagious!

 

Are those the ProComp heads you're looking at by chance? If so, have you done some good research on them?

 

this is step 1 in my research lol

 

Are these heads from the 5.3L truck engine or the 5.3L car engine? I cant remember which but one will work and the other wont, and I cant find the article where I read that. I would hate to see you drop some good $$$ on heads you cant use.

Massey

 

Are you sure about that?
I seem to remember people buying the truck heads (and now I cant remember the number code for ANY of the LS heads..... ) for use on LS1's. I could just be safe and go LS6, but I want the bump in compression since I am in a nitrous car

 

Like I said I know one was different and not compatable but I cant remember what one. I know the 5.3 car and truck engines are totally different but I cant remember what one is similar to the LS1. They both look very close from the outside and some parts will interchange but I have not had any luck finding the article. I think it was on the engine builder's mag website.

Massey

 

iirc the truck engine is pretty close to the ls1. what came with a 5.3 in a car?