Gen 4 vs Gen 5 heads

[ViperC]

What differences are there between the two? If putting either heads on a Gen 3, would the gasket be the same for either one or do I need a gasket to match the block?

[99RT10]

The head gaskets will work Gen 5 down to the Gen2. I believe the Gen 5 heads have better designed cooling passages, but the smarter people will chime in. PM Mark J at Woodhouse

[ACRucrazy]

The Gen V heads should be machined for the intake manifold inserts. If I recall Gen V was the first go around where there is actually a drivers side and passenger side head, my guess is because the modified cooling passages. Previous gen heads were the same, there was not a pass/drivers side.

Feel free to correct or add. It’s past my bedtime anyways.

[Viper Specialty]

Gen-5 has compression limiter machining, additional cooling passages, and sodium filled exhaust valves. You can technically turn Gen-4 heads into Gen-5 with some machine work and a valve swap.

You need special gaskets any time you bolt Gen-5 heads onto Gen-2 or 3. You should NOT use Gen-4 or 5 gaskets on a conversion, and you also should not use Gen-4 or 5 gaskets on the alternate head type. NO, NO, NO.

[ViperC]

Gen-5 has compression limiter machining, additional cooling passages, and sodium filled exhaust valves. You can technically turn Gen-4 heads into Gen-5 with some machine work and a valve swap.

You need special gaskets any time you bolt Gen-5 heads onto Gen-2 or 3. You should NOT use Gen-4 or 5 gaskets on a conversion, and you also should not use Gen-4 or 5 gaskets on the alternate head type. NO, NO, NO.

So use Gen 2/3 heads gaskets with a Gen 2/3 block when doing a Gen 4 head conversion?

[99RT10]

So use Gen 2/3 heads gaskets with a Gen 2/3 block when doing a Gen 4 head conversion?

I think he means not to mix Gen 5 heads with Gen 4 head gaskets and visa-versa.

[SilverACR]

I think he means not to mix Gen 5 heads with Gen 4 head gaskets and visa-versa.

I think he means you need special gaskets and do not use 4/5 gaskets on a 2/3. I don’t read it as you can use gen 2/3 gaskets...

[J TNT]

Or you can contact Dan directly and get exactly what you need ! No guessing......lol !

[Viper Specialty]

LOL, what Jay said.

When using new heads on older blocks;
Gen-4 heads: Use the gasket type for the BLOCK you are using: use Gen-2/3 gaskets, DO NOT USE Gen-4 or 5 gaskets.
Gen-5 Heads: Use Gen-5 CONVERSION gaskets Only. DO NOT USE Gen-4 or 5 gaskets.

Of course, if bolting Gen-4/5 head onto Gen-4/5 blocks, you can use OE gaskets that match the HEADS, or aftermarket gaskets of the same type.

We sell them all, and designed all of the conversion gaskets. The lifter holes and coolant ports changed in various versions, and using the wrong type will cause pushrod contact issues, head hot-spots and overheating, or inability to service lifters.