All 20 LS cylinder heads explained (find the best for your project).

[@AutoGuild]

Visit Auto-Guild.com to get your free pre-order of the LS Swap Survival Guide eBook. As well as other cool eBooks and cool car related posters too.

[@kodasgotgame]

Nice presentation. Thank you for this video, I just learned that the 823's that I have on my motor (6.0) are the "best" heads for what I'm looking for.

[@leinie6683]

me too!

[@sofuzzywuzzy]

Pulled an L33 out of the junkyard awhile ago that came with 799s. After watching Holdner's video and reading the article, I hand ported a free set of 862s. Can't wait till it's up and running.

[@mrorganic13]

How did you find an ls3 at a junkyard? In what car

[@lacboiatl]

​@@mrorganic13l33 not ls3

[@dyoutubechannel8218]

Well explained sir! Why don't you make the poster available as a Christmas present? Lots of happy walls you would make...;) Great video!!!👍

[@AutoGuild]

Working on it!

[@roshadhorton4836]

Rt bro he should

[@huntboyrufus]

Buying it!

[@javonsumpter9678]

Right og,salute

[@Mild2WildGarage]

​@AutoGuild where can I find this poster, I would buy it!

[@RedEyedPatriot]

My DBW 5.3 donor from an 03 avalanche has the 706 heads. People say they crack but most of the ones that crack are from 2006. It hauls ass in my 82 c10 Squarebody.

[@JimSampson-y6v]

As a mechanic... I see a lot of "cracked" lq4 , 317 heads. Not really a crack... more like coolant weeping from head bolt area when heads are warm or hot.

[@or-ian6973]

I had a similar motor out of an avalanche but an 04. Both heads were cracked which is probably why the block looked like it had been too hot at one point. Machinist said it’s very common on the 706 head.

[@donlorinsharp]

I know this video is old in KZbin years but I just found it. Your poster is AMAZING your ability to represent all of this info graphically is next level, truly!!! Thank you so much for this! I wonder if you might give me your opiunion on my build. we don't have very much money at all and we are swapping an LS engine into our '74 FJ40 with the earlier wide-ratio NV4500 behind it connected to an '83 FJ60 split transfer case. The rig will probably have a curb weight of about 4000lbs when it's completed. It will primarily be a trail crawler, not a rock bouncer or race vehicle. My problem is that it also has to tow a 10,000lb RV travel trailer several hundred miles every few weeks. I've been watching Richard for a long time and, with his help, I'm thinking I'm going to use a 6.0 with a BTR Truck Norris Cam and Springs. Though I've found some 6.2 engines for sale so I'm watching his videos on those, though they seem to be more high rpm power makers rather than low grunters. Do you, or really anyone watching the video, have any advice for me about head or engine choice? I'm thinking cathedral's, but there's a lot of talk about the benefits of rec-port heads too. I'm going to do a lot of short shifting (to keep the RPMs low)` when I'm not towing and I'll probably go mostly 65 mph when I am towing on the highway. In 5th gear, that will put my RPMs at around 1800 or so with my 4.10 gears and 33" tires. So I'm thinking the rec-ports isn't really necessary. Does my logic check out?? Or am I not probably being honest with myself and are there people out there who started out with the same sentiment and they now get into 4 or 5 thousand rpms more frequently than they thought they would. There is the whole thing about possibly playing in the dunes with it ... but I'm planning on building a one seater for my wife and one for me for that purpose, so ...

[@Youtubeforcedmetochangemyname]

Very good explanation of all the head types I'm a mechanic of over 25 years but have now acquired a truck with an LS and it's my first one my specialty is older carburator cars but want to build this LS this info will help a lot. Subbed

[@wesco123]

GREAT Job! Very helpful RPO history 🏁

[@LSturboguy]

i'v got 823's on my 2012 chevy SS/Holden Commodore SSV L77 6.0 soon to be on my L77 413 stroker with 98mm Turbo currently being ported for Turbo just pocket ported intake and full opened port on the exhaust to suit the Turbo, they had pretty good flow at stock so we didn't get carried way but were looking for somewhere 1500-2000hp zone with a fully built forged everything, what is crazy to me when I started drag racing I use to run 11.30's with my car which back then that was a killer time move on to taday 35 years later and my car does that with just a otr, 3" exh, and mild cam and a tune.

[@SWFabrication.]

Very well put together, nicely done. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

[@LTZ_Z71]

Very timely video. I'm exploring the idea of doing an LS swap into an 80 series Landcruiser and while I do like the idea of HP, I am more interested in lower end torque.

[@webn8]

I did something weird. I took a set of 799 heads, had them CNC ported to accept 2.02"/1.57" valves, shaved them down to 59cc, and put them on a 6.2l I built. With a slightly domed piston, that got me 12.6:1, and about the same flow numbers as the rec port heads.

[@javonsumpter9678]

Nice video ive been waiting on this i had the original factory 706 heads now i have 862's and auto guild your absolutely right about the 706's,862's and i don't know too much about the 895's let alone have never seen none the previous owner didn't change oil regularly and a lifter had literally grinded a lobe/cut a groove in I'm a Gm fan but i like all brands but the gen 3's are notorious for having bad lifters,i maybe wrong

[@davidortiz173]

Awesome information! I'm learning fast!

[@eslim95023]

Yes 👍 I got a free 4.8 with 862 heads

[@SterlingRobertson]

Very glad my junkyard 5.3l came with 706 heads!!! 😊

[@stevechaffee2360]

Good job wish someone did this years ago. Another thing about smaller intake valves under half open actually flow more air make power faster with higher velocity better low end tq but the large valves higher flow fully open increasing higher RPMs. The intake runners the longer, round shaped and small = high velocity and better low-end tq but rpms fall off early then the, shorter , rectangular shaped, large runners, = higher flow laggy down low but higher revving. The compression chambers not only change compression but the shape helps with atomization. I don't run higher then 11to1 on pump gas on n/a but my boosted ls6 I swapped my milled 243s for 317s and ls9 gaskets gave 9.7to1 so I can run 12-15 psi safely on pump gas. Now if I ran the higher compression heads for the extra 10-15 hp i'm running a higher risk of detenation so i'd need higher octane or if my tune isn't perfect my motor is toast. So at over 600hp if I really need that extra 15hp I'll just put my wife on a diet. lol

[@jamesgeorge4874]

I have seen LC8 / LC9 engines with a 243 head on one bank, and a 799 on the other side.

[@kingjeromewilson2037]

i need to watch this more than a few times great work and Thankx for sharing

[@Faolan161]

Compression ratio gains range from 4% to 15% per point, all depending upon execution... Design of combustion shape is everything.

[@ppernett1]

Glad you are making videos again!

[@marcusv5657]

U got me. New Subscriber. I have alot of parts laying around. Wasn't sure what to do with them. Yur video pop up 100%. I'm going to put the bigger intake valve in my 706 heads & do a little polishing. Thank u.

[@jessej22]

Happy to see you put up a new video! 🤠👍

[@BradleyBellwether-oy2qi]

I bought an 09 Sierra from my dad quite a few years back after my brother bricked the 5.3 (LMG) that was in it. My brother had it replaced and the heads are 862, but I don't want to pull engine parts just to check the casting number. He was told it was another 2009 engine. So I really hope it's another 09, but with 1999-2006 "862" heads. I guess it doesn't matter much because it's *_waaay_* quicker than the original engine. Supposedly, the shop that built it bought some factory rejects because the cylinder angles were a fraction off. So they bored them over and to the correct angle and put sleeves in them, to bring them back to factory bore.

[@juliosandoval8244]

For ls 4.8 or 5.3 243,799,706 heads work good if you going ls 6.0 821,823 heads are the best

[@melishadiamond9942]

04 Tahoe Ls 2wd 70,000 miles on motor L59 with 706 heads. Electric intake (non cable)

[@MagicPants1013]

Welcome back!

[@reyreyna3555]

Lq9 ported 0.030 with 706 heads defintely gona watch this video over again.

[@jimpeeden2004]

Very good and comprehensive information. I only have one thing to note, the 706 and 862 heads are known to leak coolant into the engine. I have a pair of 862's on my 2001 Silverado. Is there a company that repairs the cracks?

[@aaronsmith4746]

GM was concerned that HD truck buyers would not trust the durability of aluminum heads at the launch of the LS truck motors. After a couple of years they went to aluminum.

[@juangalvez8594]

Love your videos !! 😊

[@AutoGuild]

Thank you!!

[@meatrobot]

Man, I've missed you!

[@AutoGuild]

Thank you. More to come. : ) Let me know what you want to see next.

[@meatrobot]

@@AutoGuild I'm not an engine builder, so I have no clue what to request. I like everything you've done so far. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@gotmylk]

A follow up video comparing flow numbers on maximum effort ported versions of each head would be awesome. Not many people in the modification game would settle for a stock as cast version of any of these heads when building their engine. Especially those doing normally aspirated builds. It would be cool to see the same breakdown showing what a well ported version of each can obtain.

[@AutoGuild]

For sure, I want to do a video comparing porting and aftermarket. Its on the to-do list.

[@carlossantamaria7967]

Where is the cylinder head compatibility video ?? Waiting for it 🤙🏼

[@darylmorse]

Another fantastic video!

[@peteJoseph-x3h]

LS7 heads are 12*, not 11*, they can go on an LS3 bore when using a smaller exhaust valve, just saying.

[@marcusv5657]

This video was so Informative 🔥. Now to watch yur engine video's. See what to keep & throw out . Thank u.

[@justinvanburen8259]

You’re awesome!! Thank you for sharing this information!!!

[@whiskerbusiness8564]

My L96 just keeps on looking better and better all the time......2010 L96 178,000 and going stronggggg

[@gilzr473]

Great video thanks for sharing much appreciated!👍👍

[@machdaddy6451]

If you can't figure out why they did it, just assume it was for cost savings.

[@ЯрославГорячев-х3е]

Спасибо вам за это видео! Очень поможет при выборе двигателя для проекта! 🤝

[@PSmith-tn2ck]

This video is right on time! I’ve been trying to figure out what brand and type of heads to go with to replace my OEM heads. My goal is Responsive Street beast Occasional racer or rolls. Any suggestions on head brand and type to complement my current bolt-on's? 2009 TBSS AWD 6.0L - TVS2300 ~15 pds - Kooks longtubes headers - Mild cam - Built transmission - stock bottom end -93 Octane

[@davenorman8251]

Excellent video but the l76 and l77 engine were first fitted to vehicles in 2006.

[@tacozilla3762]

Great video with a ton of info. Only thing I saw was during the iron head segment you show (4.8) and I've never seen an iron head 4.8 only 6.0? I think you are confusing LR4 and LQ4 on that one.

[@bradclarke6016]

I have a 1999 2500 6.0l/4l80e 4wd truck. Build date. 12/98... and a magnet sticks to the heads. For sure they are iron.

[@mr.3phase228]

The 3 main ones I see are 706/862, 799/243, ans 317. They're all great cause they're good for different CRs. I'm building a 359 stroker with 7cc dish pistons, and 317 heads for a 9.5 ish CR for boost.

[@XxMusclecarsxX]

nothing wrong with the 317, on a 6.0 they have normal compression. ported mine to around 285cfm

[@danielsullivan9865]

We’re running 317 ported with 205 valves, flat top pistons on a 366 in.³ TwinTurbo, makes over 1300 hp on 26lb boost

[@autumnjeserich2689]

I was gonna go to 862 heads but with my 4 inch stroke my lq4 would of been at way too much compression. I'm still at 11 to 1 with the 317 heads

[@blairo15]

Thanks for making this video

[@072D00003674]

Great video and explanation

[@seanday6127]

Nice video

[@GeoffC312]

I have an interesting notion which I heard about occurring when the Granatellis (of Paxton Products) back when they were working on Studebaker R3 engines (1962 & 1963). There were Studebaker cylinder heads with a larger bore circle than the block. It appears as if someone at Paxton used a half-round file and "scalloped" the top of the block where the valves would have interfered, making it so they could clear. Could this not be done today to clear a 4" bore block for 4.125" bore heads? It was successfully achieved in the 1960s but "Studebaker" so that's why it's been under the radar this whole time.

[@GrandPitoVic]

Awesome info brother

[@stormracer05]

The iron heads are for marine applications.

[@andys.1316]

I came here to apologize, ive been watching your videos for 2 years liked every single one that i watched but never subscribe until today

[@tmps835]

2009 1500 LS silverado 4.8L. Doesnt have dod or afm. Will be putting on a BTR intake manifold and headers and port polish heads. Thoughts

[@chui19801]

Good Article. Is there anyway that all this information can be print out.?

[@noobatnothing]

Great video!!

[@Casualplayer]

Awesome video, I just didn't see Aluminum LQ4 243 heads? I have a 2003 Chevy express 6.0, 243 heads Alluminum, from factory

[@gerymcgilvray2007]

thank you

[@Brodrdude97]

706 gang

[@chrisrobertson1929]

Little chief heads on a old SBC gen one same..out put..I own four of each hp torque is hp torque..

[@dontdowhatido6503]

Amazing video ❤

[@AutoGuild]

Thank you so much 😀

[@charlesmassaro121]

Awsome content Thanks!

[@AutoGuild]

Thanks again, its only the 3rd time I've ever had a super thanks. Let me know if there are any other videos you'd like to see. Cheers.

[@sthcope4638]

Can you do a video for the gen 5 heads!?!?

[@lilcray99]

Love this

[@toxicjoker1533]

My heads dont have that stamping, its on a 2000 chevy 2500 silverado 6.0

[@shawnlibby675]

First of all there's two different LS1 blocks for instance 2002 Corvette 5.7 L LS1... 2002 Corvette ZO6 5.7L LS6... totally different blocks but very similar.. literally the 5.7 LS6 block is thicker... I heard the 241 heads that there's two sides of them.. all the era and the newer revised era.. I'm not totally sure about the headset up being different... which I'm very curious about... Corvettes with a 5.7 rotating assembly 1 which is the Z06 has a more aluminum material in the block... so definitely two very similar aluminum blocks in the Corvettes... so I've seen people say oh the HP limit on a build have a 5.7.. aluminum block is limited... yep all depends on the era of the 5.7 aluminum LS block

[@nathanielbolden5053]

Welp I got 2 pairs of winner I have 862’s on my 4.8 and 799’s on my gen 4 5.3 I’m just gonna upgrade rocker arms and valve springs and have someone port them

[@pmd7771969]

I think they have the pic wrong. Where is the square port head. Never heard of a raised port head

[@MrDeath-bn8uv]

Do you mind if you make a video about Ls blocks please ❤️❤️great video

[@imphatr]

Thank you sir!!!!

[@justinw6448]

L92 heads have a 15° degree valve angle not 11. Small thing to fix in the video

[@wit6665]

youre back :D

[@AutoGuild]

Yes, more to come. Let me know what else you'd like to see.

[@tincandavexr4ti783]

The chart you have near the end shows the Iron 373/873 heads as being fitted to the 4.8L LR4, which is incorrect. May want to double check your chart before finalizing it for sale.

[@AutoGuild]

Ah that's a bummer, I caught that and fixed it but then forgot to update the screengrabs. Thanks for the catch. It will be updated on the downloadable eBook, working on it now.

[@mythos000000025]

Are you sure the 799 heads have 2.00 intake valves? I thought they were 1.89"

[@rwt8851]

@@mythos000000025 799 and 243 have the 2.00 intake. but they do have different exhaust vales, IE 799 have 1.575 valves and 243 have 1.550 valves. why who knows it's a gm thing. haha

[@mythos000000025]

@rwt8851 thanks...I forgot to measure(didn't really matter to me at the time) the valve sizes when removing and cleaning my heads for my engine build. Considering the time it took to finish, I do wish I had sent the heads off to be stage 2.5 or Frankenstein modded for more n/a power. Won't be a problem after boost but....

[@scottbaumgart4986]

Do you know if there is an aftermarket dual throttle body(holly sniper) dual plane style intake available for any of these head configurations,thank you for the information .

[@AndrewFoster-zs4lt]

You got one thing wrong about the ls9 heads. Ls9 are cnc ported from factory and flow more than the lsa. I would also say the ls9 heads are more rare than the ls7

[@or-ian6973]

What’s peoples thoughts on 317 heads on a stroker 5.3 stock bore so 363ci with boost? Octane limited since we really don’t have pump e85 in the pnw 🙄

[@kumakaroshi117]

Add if material made out of. Aluminum gold iron rubber chickens

[@c63don77]

I ordered the cylinder head poster and never got anything... just wondering when you will ship it

[@yojiholmesproductions]

Which ones are the best for boost on 4.8 and 5.3 and 6.0?

[@wi5i413]

4.8, 5.3 go 706 6.0 go 243

[@akmjolnir-v4r]

Just watched the vid, but I'm confused. I have a 2008 Sierra 2500 LY6 6.0, with rec-port heads, but the only casting mark I can find is E247. Any insight?

[@KPotassiumK]

For a cammed 5.3, (wanting to stay NA) would it be recommended to port the stock small valve heads for better air flow? Or would it be better to go with different heads

[@jobisrael8313]

First time checking out your video do you do videos of combination that would get you 500 horsepower at the wheel or more. Let's say I'm trying to build me a box Chevy or a 1970 Chevelle but I'm trying to get at least 500 to the wheel. What is a good combination with a 5.3 or 6.0 LS? 06-20-24@11:15pm

[@thisismagacountry1318]

Can any LS heads be used with a twin screw supercharger?

[@Velocitist]

Most likely, but the question is depending on the head design, because it’s not as about the ports, it’s about the shape of the dome on top within the pistons, it changes the shape of the combustion chamber, which changes how the engine behaves, so, in theory, any of them could have a supercharger, you just need the right inlet manifold to match up to the ports, but depending on which one you’ve got not, all of them would be worth it, because in theory to supercharge one engine with this cylinder head, it might be worth it to get that other engine that makes the same power with a different cylinder head design.

[@rj8372]

Does this mean a ported and polished 317 can take 40 pounds of boost,😊

[@BigMikesGarage]

Nice content. Noticed one error. On group 3 (iron heads) you have "4.8" next to the heading. Iron heads never came on a 4.8.

[@joedanero5360]

Yeah. Looks like they only came on those two year 6.0's Good catch.

[@EdP-j1t]

BUT slide 5 lq4 / lq9 won't domed pistons / turbo boost cure lo compression?

[@reedlaww]

Do you have videos or info comparing blocks? My LS book is outdated and is sparse on Gen 4 info. Would be helpful to see verified information on weight differences between alum and iron as well. Lots of anecdote and hearsay on the forums.

[@AutoGuild]

Its about 100lbs between LS Iron and LS Aluminum block. Check out my SBC vs LS video. LS iron is 215 lbs and LS alum is 115. Im def going alum with my build.

[@Lifesaboutcarz]

The ctsv come out in 09 good brother 🫡 but loving the video and it kinda answered the question for me because I came across the set of LS7 heads that I was wondering would they be an upgrade for my LSA?

[@davidennis8001]

Does anyone know anything about the 5364 heads

[@raymanjohan8838]

Would it be wise to put a small valve 895 head on a stock lq9?

[@rickperry185]

CAN I HAVE A LS MOTOR BUILT FOR MY 1994 CHEVROLET SILVERADO HALF TON 4×4 THAT HAD A 350 MOTOR IN IT

[@ArthurFleck-tx9di]

Of course, I'm building one for a 1968 mercury cougar XR7. You can LS swap almost anything but what you have is all most plug an play... Only modification you'll have to make as electrical, which is just getting a controller. Everyone does anyways, as far as fitman. Absolutely that would be probably the easiest l s swap in the world

[@Gooseo2000]

Hey Q, what gives an LS1 such a high compression ratio? Asking because im doing a 4.8 mpg build and want to be able to run 87 gas and i have 243 heads on it

[@gasperooch]

So, are ls4 heads a good option on the other LS engines then?

[@lic.josevazquez8593]

THANKS MAN¡

[@kyrs5781]

can you do this for current LT engines?

[@kevinwest3689]

What you didn't address about 317's and turbo. Yes, less power Because of. Lower compression. Yes, turbo multiplies what you have naturally aspirated. BUT...fuel ☆ if you're not running race gas, Don't live in an area.Where e85 is at every station. Have to run 93 or 91. Less compression = more timing=more boost. You can surpass what the compression does with more boost. Without detonation# no boom. So do you want 11.5 and up CR, and 9-12 lbs E85 only. Or 16-18 lbs on the 91. It's a fine line. What are you doing with your car? Fun daily driver Responsive fast spool turbo at low boost hi Compression. Street beast Occasional racer or rolls. low compression more boost. Or high compression high boost.You're racing for money and you make enough to rebuild it at least least twice a year. That's my opinion and i'm sticking to it👍

[@23steph13]

Can I run a Ly6 with gen 4 harness and 58x crank, 4x cam, gen 3 intake/throttle body/heads, 6l80 Transmission?

[@nodaklojack]

Lower compression is better for cheaper fuel. Higher compression requires higher octane (costly) fuels.