like the topic says...
ive heard that if you get smaller headgaskets like from an impala maybe and place them on the lt1 95 camaro engine or w/e it will add more compression causing more HP?
is this tru if so lemme hear ya stories!!
randy

 

A thinner headgasket would increase compression (like a thicker would lower compression), but I don't know by how much and what kind of power it would add. I doubt it's much though.

 

would it be worth doing until i get my heads and cam, which will be around summer of next year (2004)

 

IMO it wouldn't be worth it

 

not even by like .15 in the qrt mile? higher compression it does make! so that would have a stronger power band right?

 

i dont know about .15 because ive never done it, it just seems to me that it wouldnt be worth the hassle having to tear the engine apart just to change a gasket thats already good

if you want cheap speed you could try the free mods, cutting the cat, homemade CAI, of even change the muffler

those should free up a little hp

 

look in sig!! im thinking about doing it!! gotta think though..

 

the impala head gasket will put you right in the optimal "quench area" and add a little compression. good mod if you are doing a head swap, or pop a hg. Me, I got compression by milling my heads, I went with the 1074 Felpro HG, which is a lot nicer than the GM hg's. If you really want to do things right do compression with your pistons, then your heads, and LASTLY your HG's. But if a stock replacement they make it a little nice...

 

the stock head gasket is 0.049, the impala head gasket is 0.029, it would be the equivalent to having your heads milled 20 thousanths. i believe that would increase your compression ratio to 10.62:1. IMHO not worth pulling the heads for, just wait until you do heads/cam.
check this link out:

https://www.camaroz28.com/calcs/crchange.html

it says 1 hp on a stock motor.......

 

dont do it. it really is a pain removing the heads from the car. theres no reason to do it just to put impala head gaskets in. youre going to have to replace the intake manifold gasket, probably want to get new valve cover gaskets, gonna have to remove the power steering pump, pushrods, etc. and you are really not going to get any significant power.

also, i think cooling should be the area that you should be willing to sacrafice a few hp. get the felpro 1074, it has a better cooling design than the steel shim impala head gasket.