What headgaskets are you guys using?

[ENGINR]

Hey guys,

I've blown the Cometic multi-layer steel head gasket in my engine. I'm using a VR4 block (12mm head studs) with EVO1-3 cylinder head (drilled the head stud holes out from 11mm to 12mm to suit.

Just wondering what high performance head gaskets are out there for the 6-bolt engines, as most of the stuff I've found are for the EVO 7 bolt setups.

Cheers!

 

[DOUGMO]

there is an HKS one for yours mate

 

[86psi]

i thought permaseal was the go atm. what is the best now ?

 

[Cranked]

i thought permaseal was the go atm. what is the best now ?

+1 on the permaseal, I did 2 cometic's tyhen switched to Permaseal, far better

 

[DOUGMO]

I used an ACL MLS on my first bujild and it seemed fine
as the others have said cometics have seen to have dropped off a little in performance.
what ever it is go for a stopper type

 

[ENGINR]

Any of you used these guys?

http://www.dsmparts.com/customer/home.php?cat=122

Found this on their website:

Product Details
HKS metal head gaskets are constructed from multiple layers of steel to ensure proper head to block sealing under the most demanding high performance conditions. In the construction of each HKS head gasket, a special metal which is extremely resistant to the severe levels of both heat and corrosion, that is attributed with high-horsepower and high-boost conditions, is used to ensure gasket integrity. Aside from the durable internal construction, all HKS head gaskets are also coated with a special fluorine rubber coating to provide the ultimate sealing. HKS head gaskets are designed to accommodate for oversize pistons and altered compression ratios. For certain applications, multiple gasket thicknesses are available to change the dynamic compression ratio according to the needs and characteristics of the various levels tuning and engine conditions. Our gaskets are not designed to cure sealing problems caused by head or block irregularities.

The HKS Stopper Type gasket is our most effective as it consists of the maximum layers of plates possible for the best possible sealing and durability. The increased sealing capability is also due to a molded stopper ring around each combustion chamber.

Fits: 90-99 Turbo DSM Talon, Eclipse, laser, and 91-92 Galant VR-4. Comes in 3 styles, choose your style below.


DSM Tech Info::

-8.6 Comp Ratio, 1.2mm (2301-RM006)

-9.2 Comp Ratio 1mm (2301-RM004)

-8.3 Com Ratio 1.6mm (2301-RM007)

The 1mm thick one sounds good!!

 

[EVO-00X]

Go the HKS Shayne. They arent much dearer than Cometic anyway. The Cometic doesnt have a fire ring around the cylinder bores and if not fitted and torqued correctly has been noted to leak between the layers under high pressure. The HKS headgasket has the fire ring around it like the OEM MLS gaskets.

 

[brisvr4]

Email the guys at Maperformance. They will give you a better price than is listed on the site usually.
I've just installed a Felpro MLS gasket and it looks suspiciously like the HKS one that we put on Troy's car (jetgsr) on Friday.
Either the HKS (more expensive) or the felpro MLS (slightly cheaper) will work fine.
You should have the head skimmed to a RA of beyween 15 and 35 or so too (think mirror like finish)
And I would gently hand lap the block to a shiny finish.

 

[ENGINR]

Thanks guys, I've been looking at Extreme psi and now Maperformance site for prices.

Am leaning towards the HKS gasket, but am not sure what thickness to go for. It's been so long since I've built the engine I can't recall what thickness the Cometic gasket currently in the engine is. Andrew Vibert has suggested I get the 1.6mm thick gasket in case we need to take a fair bit of material off the head, but I don't want to drop the compression ratio too much.

Also - am wondering if it's worth replacing the ARP head studs that are currently in the engine with a fresh set of ARP L19s.

 

[trq-str]

Nippondenso and Acl Race many times with no issues.

Both block and head Ra surfaced to spec every time along with ARP studs.

 

[DOUGMO]

Thanks guys, I've been looking at Extreme psi and now Maperformance site for prices.

Am leaning towards the HKS gasket, but am not sure what thickness to go for. It's been so long since I've built the engine I can't recall what thickness the Cometic gasket currently in the engine is. Andrew Vibert has suggested I get the 1.6mm thick gasket in case we need to take a fair bit of material off the head, but I don't want to drop the compression ratio too much.

Also - am wondering if it's worth replacing the ARP head studs that are currently in the engine with a fresh set of ARP L19s.

Before you order a gasket I would CC the head and block so you can work out the comp ratio mate.
fitting a 1.6 might make it too low in comp.
Depending on the pistons etc... it could be high or low, its very hard to guess.

L19s are definatley better but not really required until 30-35psi+ and/or 400kw+

 

[bazeng]

Did you torque plate bore / give your block on the std arps? If so, L19s fasten up at a higher torque spec therefor may affect cylinder bore shape with the upgrade. If you have ever measured the change in cylinder bore shape before and after tensioning of the head studs you should know how much actually changes in regards to ovality at the top of the block.

How much power are you planning to make?

As Dougmo said, no point guessing. Cc the head and calculate you cr.

 

[Entaran]

I have an SCE ICS headgasket from FFWD, it's completely copper and was an absolute bastard to get to seal but it seems fine now. We had to retorque the head 6 times, 3 times on build then 3 more times at the first service.

Joys of copper I guess.