Need a headgasket opinion...

[c-rad]

Ok, I got a 'stock' headgasket with my gasket set. I also have a set of ARP headstuds that are going to be installed. Now, I am wondering do you guys think the stock like gasket will stand up to a repeated pounding at 15psi with the ARPs? I've heard conflicting reports and I'd like some feedback from those who have had experience with it rather than what someone may have ferreted off the internet.

[8ggalant]

well number one...i dont see why a FRESH motor W/ ARP studs would lift the head...even @ 15psi...and when u say 15psi, that could be two (many) different flow rates as compared to a stock t25 to a s15 t28 for example.

so i have no CONCRETE proof myself...but like i said...u just freshened up the motor, and are using aftermarket studs...i dont see why the headgasket would go any time soon

[iliketocrash]

its not so much the flow rate as it is temperature of the air that essentially effects how dense the intake charge is. but back to the topic. you'll be fine on 15psi. the only thing that'll destroy the head gasket at 15psi is if you lean it out too much, or of course an error on the part of the mechanic or machinist but lets assume it won't be either of those. =P

[fraz]

If there is no detonation, the stock gasket will hold 300hp no sweat, there are a few guys around at the track here running 350-400 crank hp and using stock headgasket and head bolts, they spent their money on a good ecu and give it plenty of fuel and have had no problems

[c-rad]

well number one...i dont see why a FRESH motor W/ ARP studs would lift the head...even @ 15psi...and when u say 15psi, that could be two (many) different flow rates as compared to a stock t25 to a s15 t28 for example.

so i have no CONCRETE proof myself...but like i said...u just freshened up the motor, and are using aftermarket studs...i dont see why the headgasket would go any time soon

The flow isn't what kills the gasket, its the pressure. 15psi is 15psi no matter how you cut it. I was just wondering if a stock headgasket combined with ARPs is good enough to handle it.

[float_6969]

Chris, I'm running a stock headgasket with ARP's w/no problems at all. And my motor is high compression AND boost. The most I've put to it is about 12psi, but I don't think that other 3 lbs would have popped it. You'll be fine, I promise!

[boost_boy]

If there is no detonation, the stock gasket will hold 300hp no sweat, there are a few guys around at the track here running 350-400 crank hp and using stock headgasket and head bolts, they spent their money on a good ecu and give it plenty of fuel and have had no problems

I couldn't have said this better myself and it is the god honest truth. This topic too have been covered in the past and what Fraz said, sums up my exact words.

Dee

[boost_boy]

The flow isn't what kills the gasket, its the pressure. 15psi is 15psi no matter how you cut it. I was just wondering if a stock headgasket combined with ARPs is good enough to handle it.

It's not so much the pressure, but the detonation that burns the fire rings and the pressure just finishes up what the detonation started. If you guys think about trying to sustain 15 psi on the stock system to include turbocharger, you got another thing coming "A blown engine".

Dee

[c-rad]

It's not so much the pressure, but the detonation that burns the fire rings and the pressure just finishes up what the detonation started. If you guys think about trying to sustain 15 psi on the stock system to include turbocharger, you got another thing coming "A blown engine".

Dee

I have 550s, fuel pump, FMIC, Z32 MAF, and an EPROM remapped for the MAF and injectors....

[r34 gtr]

if youre a little worried, you can always use that crazy sealant crap that dee used on his nismo gasket. a treated gasket will hold up to some serious abuse. i got a nismo metal gasket because though i hate to say it, my tuning isnt exactly going to be spot on (and it DEFINATELY isnt right now..).

just to be sure though (im sure youll be fine) but what turbo will you be planning on using? 15psi on a ca hairdryer is a whole different story compaired to 15psi on a hks gt2540. also, what kind of intercooler are you running? if your intake temp is kept nice and cool, you can freaking beat on that stock gasket and itll just love you even more.

- tim

[c-rad]

if youre a little worried, you can always use that crazy sealant crap that dee used on his nismo gasket. a treated gasket will hold up to some serious abuse. i got a nismo metal gasket because though i hate to say it, my tuning isnt exactly going to be spot on (and it DEFINATELY isnt right now..).

just to be sure though (im sure youll be fine) but what turbo will you be planning on using? 15psi on a ca hairdryer is a whole different story compaired to 15psi on a hks gt2540. also, what kind of intercooler are you running? if your intake temp is kept nice and cool, you can freaking beat on that stock gasket and itll just love you even more.

- tim

I planned on using that copper gasket spray on the gasket. Also, no I will not being using the stock turbo. I will be using a GT28R. And as for the FMIC, it is a 24x12x3 bar and plate deal.

Also, I have no plans on running leaner than an 11.5:1 A/F ratio just for the safety factor. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens!

[CA19DET]

yada yada yada, i beleive in preventatieve maintenance, if you can, get one for peace of mind, you never know what can lead to uncontrolled conditions, (leaking actuator hose causeing boost spikes, dirty injectors, leaning out cylinder, boost controller F'ing up, overheating cause of cooling problems)

i would get one, NISMO, HKS, GREDDY, Power Enterprise, whomever, cause with the ARP hardware, your bolts are not going to stretch undre pressure causing head lift-blown headgasket, its pribably going to be the gasket itself burning/blowing out....

i got one,a nd am about the order another form Takakaira (if they can still source them) wish APEX' made some, head they are the best from SR & RB guys..

[iliketocrash]

get your block o-ring and almost never have to worry about blowing headgaskets =P

[c-rad]

get your block o-ring and almost never have to worry about blowing headgaskets =P

LOL, yeah, but then I can pick up the pieces of block, rods, and pistons that go flying out the car when it DOES blow!

[float_6969]

I should have dyno figues within the next month or month and a half. At that time I will share what I've done with the motor, but I will say I was driving it with a stock ecu with crazy high octane fuel with out problems. Once I get it tuned, we'll see just what the stock headgasket is up to. I don't have any concerns about it whatsoever though...

[Not_a_sr]

I should have dyno figues within the next month or month and a half. At that time I will share what I've done with the motor, but I will say I was driving it with a stock ecu with crazy high octane fuel with out problems. Once I get it tuned, we'll see just what the stock headgasket is up to. I don't have any concerns about it whatsoever though...

same here, goin to be putting down a few 24+ psi runs on the dyno in august, OEM head bolts and OEM headgasket. we shall see how long they last. better a blown gasket then a piston or block.

[NeedCAforS13]

better a blown gasket then a piston or block.

YES! I'd rather my weakest link be a $50 gasket than a piston or a block in the event that something does go wrong

Sean

[float_6969]

ditto!

[c-rad]

Stock gasket it is then