The only difference is the way the valve seats were made into the head... The 04.5 and up is supposed to be better.. I dropped a valve seat about a year ago on my 03.. I bought another 03 head and had all of the valve seats cut out and put new ones in at very, very tight specs, by a reputable machine shop... It was then ported and Don's springs were installed.. I have heard of a few 04.5 heads dropping valve seats as well..