Which head gaskets for LS3 head/Cam build

[Louie_D]

Ill be dropping off my new engine for a head/cam build very soon, just dont know which head gaskets to go for?

I believe the options are felpro, cometic & genuine GM....

Look forward to any suggestions

[duke5700]

The GM ones. You won't need anything fancy and the GM ones are a nice gasket even with boost.

With the Cometic more so than the Felpro you need a perfect sealing surface etc, more forgiveness with GM.

[gaz05]

They are all MLS and all very good, the GM ones are .051 thou, the Fel pro are available in .040s. I use the .040 Fel pros.

[peter b]

They are all MLS and all very good, the GM ones are .051 thou, the Fel pro are available in .040s. I use the .040 Fel pros.

Gm is 0.053 thou thick compressed
Felpro are available in 0.053 and 0.041 compressed and are a die cut mls gasket
Cometic are available in a range of thicknesses however are a laser cut gasket.
I am a fan of the felpro head gaskets

[IJ.]

Compressed MLS?

[gaz05]

Gm is 0.053 thou thick compressed
Felpro are available in 0.053 and 0.041 compressed and are a die cut mls gasket
Cometic are available in a range of thicknesses however are a laser cut gasket.
I am a fan of the felpro head gaskets


I like the Fel pro too, I don't like the .053 GMs except for a dead stock rebuild ( quench not tight enough with .053s) I have tried them all and haven't had an issue with any of them. Just as a matter of interest I opened a set of Cometic Holden V8 gaskets, they are .040. I use the Fel pros on 15.1 SBC speedway supersedan engines and have reused them on mild engines but spray them with copper coat, I don't use composition gaskets any more.

[Louie_D]

Would i go the .041 gasket to raise the comp aswell as milling the heads? What would the felpro part number be for the LS3 head gasket?

[Wonky]

I have Cometic 0.41 just to raise the compression a bit (with 15 thou off heads) but mainly because they're reusable. Along with ARP head bolts means if the heads have to come off down the track I don't need to replace gaskets or head bolts. A little extra up front for peace of mind. :)

[peter b]

I like the Fel pro too, I don't like the .053 GMs except for a dead stock rebuild ( quench not tight enough with .053s) I have tried them all and haven't had an issue with any of them. Just as a matter of interest I opened a set of Cometic Holden V8 gaskets, they are .040. I use the Fel pros on 15.1 SBC speedway supersedan engines and have reused them on mild engines but spray them with copper coat, I don't use composition gaskets any more.

It depends on combo to be honest doing my own engine at the moment and am using std thickness felpro head gaskets and need to use them to keep piston to head clearance I have found the felpro to be a nicer finish and have a better coating than the cometics

[peter b]

Would i go the .041 gasket to raise the comp aswell as milling the heads? What would the felpro part number be for the LS3 head gasket?

Depends on size of camshaft in regards to piston to valve clearance. But if you have the room grab them
1161L-041 left
1161R-041 right
They are side sensitive

[Louie_D]

Ill most likely be using GM Motorsports Street racer cam, seems to be the goods

[peter b]

Ill most likely be using GM Motorsports Street racer cam, seems to be the goods

What are the specs?

[Louie_D]

Just ordered the felpro head gaskets from summit

Specs for the cam are;
Duration @ .050 - INT 231 - EXT 235
Lobe Separation 112 +Adv
Valve Lift INT 0.617 - EXT 0.620