Trying to decide whether to go Felpro gaskets/ ARP bolts or just get the GM parts. Any difference between these and your recomendations.
PS: I can get the gm gaskets about 20 bucks less just wondering if it's worth it. Also do the ARP's come coated with the sealant?

 

I used Fel-Pro 1406 gaskets... I mean they are an official sponsor of NASCAR! ARP bolts do not come with a sealant on them.

 

Fel-Pro 1406 are headers gaskets.

This is what I used.
Fel-Pro head gaskets
ARP head bolts

Use the good stuff.

 

I chose to use Impala SS gaskets on my stroker to help boost the compression ratio up a little more. They were very reasonable priced, around $21 each if I remember correctly.

I consider ARP bolts/studs a must. The quality and strength of ARP's bolts blows away anything else, and it's cheap insurance. You'll need to order sealant as well, as noted above.

 

OH SNAP! I could of sworn that said header! My statement still applys, just disregard the 1406 p/n

 

I was leaning towards the arp's anyway. Anyone else on head gaskets? Felpro 1074 vs Stock GM? I don't really want the Impy's

 

Felpro makes 2 head gaskets for the LT1. The stock replacement thickness #99xx something and the high performance 0.39 thickness #1074. The #1074 has modified coolant holes. A center passage is added and the outer passages are reduced to compensate. Felpro says thier is more heat between the two center cylinders than the outer ones so they increased cooling flow in the center.

Jeff D.

 

Never heard this b4. Anyone else care to elaborate on this?

 

Im using the impala gaskets, ARP bolts, and gm thread sealant for the head bolts.

Brandon

 

how much should one expect to pay for the felpro gaskets and arp bolts?

 

About 35 each for the felpros and 55 for the arp's where i'm at.

 

then what about the intake manifold gasket and exhaust manifold gaskets, since those need to be removed to get the heads off...

 

Here is a pic of my old stock gasket showing the yellow stains were the coolant passages are.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...05421782AJlHjb

You can see the coolant passage in the middle that is blocked by the stock gasket. The Felpro #1074 has an opening here to allow coolant to flow between the middle cylinders. To keep pressure up, Felpro reduced the diameter of the outer two passages that I pointed out in the pic.

Jeff D.

 

That's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

 

No worries with the Felpro head gaskets...I haven't had any issues with mine since my rebuild. I also used the ARP bolts...picked all of that stuff up from Speed Freaks.

Dave just did a set of heads for you, right? I'd also recommend getting rid of the stock rocker studs and replacing them with ARP studs. You can get them online from Jegs. I ended up snapping a stock stud and it could have gotten ugly if the valve covers hadn't have been so short. It's not 100% necessary, but it's good insurance.