Limits of Stock Head Gasket / Options

[aintnobiscuit]

Hi Guys,

I had trouble with my Cometic MLS head gasket leaking oil (only) from the side of the block, so I swapped back to the OEM gasket (new). I just blew that with 18psi on a 50 trim (oops!). I'm REALLY trying to find out what head gaskets have been run, what was needed and what the limits of the head gasket are.

I have ARP head studs.
I am looking to run 20psi on a garrett 50 trim.
I have a haltech, walbro and big (enough) injectors.

I have been looking at the Tomei and Greddy HGs but they are 85mm. Can i run them? Has anyone done this before? Do they make copper head gaskets for the CA18?

Float_6969? Boost_boy?

Thanks!

[float_6969]

If you blew the stock HG, you're tuning is off. Boost Boy was over 400 hp on a stock HG IIRC. I'll be running closer to 25psi on a 50 trim and the only way my Felpro is blowing is if I screw my tuning up.

[aintnobiscuit]

So if it's very rich, will that blow it as well? I was seeing 10.5 AFR @ 18psi.

Edit: And I'm running ARP head studs. I didn't see anything about re-torquing 3 times then heat cycling and checking torque before. I'm just going to put the Cometic back in and do the sequence listed in the FAQ.

Thanks for the help

[float_6969]

Very rich shouldn't, but too much timing will. Also, you ned to retorque the ARP's for sure. I got an oil leak with a stock head gasket after I put them and some of them had backed WAY off. Kinda scary honestly. They were never an issue again after that though.

[aintnobiscuit]

Yeah, as soon as I read that in the thread boost_boy started i was like F**K! It's ok though, live and learn. I swear I've read that FAQ 10 times and never seen that one small sentence. Talked to my tuner and after this is done I'm throwing on a garrett 50 trim with some different specs and going to try for 400hp/tq. Wish me luck! I'll throw up some videos when it's done. IDK if I ever put this video up, but here's how it sounds. I looooooooove my CA.

How can I find you and boost_boy's build threads?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHVIYe2_ypI[/youtube]

[float_6969]

LOL, neither one of us really have one. I should probably make one. I have lots of pictures of everything.

[aintnobiscuit]

It wold be pretty cool to see. I catch a picture here and there of an engine bay or part but never much info. Build threads are good.

Btw are you aware of any other ca18 owner with a buddy club spec II? I have the only video I could find on the Internet of one

[float_6969]

Not that I'm aware of, but I'm not really on any of the other forums.

[boost_boy]

Honestly, it would take waaay too much time for me to create a build thread because I build these engines on a regular basis for customers/members and I don't have the down-time to toggle back and forth to the PC. I'm building two at the same time as we speak (one being my own) and I'm stuck on one because I installed my main bolts on another customer's build and crippled my own. As for your situation, if you blew a stock headgasket, it's because your timing is too aggressive for this motor as float stated previously. The stock headgasket can take 30+psi of boost, but if you're detonating, it will burn a cometic as well.

[aintnobiscuit]

Sounds good to me, when its back together ill recheck the base timing and tell my tuner. He does Lots of other cars, mainly SRs so that's possible. From what I've read in your other posts the CA doesn't like timing like the SR and I trust you two the most out of any other forum. Thank you.

By the way, I totally understand what you mean when your day you're busy... I'm a software engineer so I work very long hours plus I have a girlfriend and we both have project cars... Which means I work on both

[float_6969]

Yea, the CA doesn't need a lot of timing advance to make power. Mine takes more than normal because I'm running on E85, anf it's still less than my friend's SR.

[Sentrastic]

Yeah, as soon as I read that in the thread boost_boy started i was like F**K! It's ok though, live and learn. I swear I've read that FAQ 10 times and never seen that one small sentence. Talked to my tuner and after this is done I'm throwing on a garrett 50 trim with some different specs and going to try for 400hp/tq. Wish me luck! I'll throw up some videos when it's done. IDK if I ever put this video up, but here's how it sounds. I looooooooove my CA.

How can I find you and boost_boy's build threads?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHVIYe2_ypI[/youtube]

That sounds real nice man! Offtopic, but what exhaust do you have on that?

[float_6969]

Btw are you aware of any other ca18 owner with a buddy club spec II? I have the only video I could find on the Internet of one

I'll bet it's a Buddy Club Spec II...

[aintnobiscuit]

Yes, sorry for the late reply. I decided to drive the coast up to Northern California so I haven't had Internet on my phone during the drive.

It's a buddy club spec II.

Thanks for the help guys. Ill tell my tuner and try to use a knock box.