OEM Head Gasket vs. MLS for ~450-500 WHP

[sickness14]

What kind of power are we making on OEM nissan head gaskets with ARP studs? I already have a new oem gasket. should i run this on my NEO build? stock motor with pon cams, HX40 & 880cc Inj. looking for 450-500 whp.

[sickness14]

Anyone else have any opinions? Thanks guys

[240z4u]

I feel like a broken record.

You WILL break the ringlands before you pop the headgasket with stock-ish internals.

Evan

[sickness14]

I feel like a broken record.

You WILL break the ringlands before you pop the headgasket with stock-ish internals.

Evan

lol thanks fore the re-assurance evan. Will i be ok making close to 500 without risking breaking the ringlands?

[240z4u]

lol thanks fore the re-assurance evan. Will i be ok making close to 500 without risking breaking the ringlands?

If your tune is good and the car is setup properly it should live a long time at those levels IMHO. Provided the motor is sound to start with.

[Bluefire]

you should be fine with the headgasket, pistons your on the border. I have seen quite a few pistons crack around that power level and slightly less for sr's. Mind you these seemed to be a function of high cylinder pressure since there was no evidence of knock. So it would be independent of tuning.

[Cjmartz2k]

x2 for what they said. Those are my views exactly. Headgasket isn't the weak link (and it seals the best), and the factory bottom end is good for a reliable 500rwhp with a GOOD TUNE. Tune is key though. You've heard my schpeel a thousand times though.

[HxC_Nismo]

i made 510rwhp with oem headgasket and head bolts on my rb26, but if your planning on upgrading in the future i would recommend a MLS gasket with arp headstuds. cause the stock oem headgasket IMO is garbage cardboard style gasket.

[SullivanRacing06]

i normally pull the rb's that come thru my shop and recommend installing a cometic h/g n arp head studs

[ncturbospecv]

Im about to start ordering parts for my rb and want 500hp max. So should i get an aftermarket headgasket or would just using another stock one be good enough? Only reason i ask is because im ordering the full gasket kit and it comes with a stock headgasket and if thats good enough i'll run that instead of spending $240 on another headgasket. ARP studs are definitely being used.

[ncturbospecv]

sorry double post

[Cjmartz2k]

Im about to start ordering parts for my rb and want 500hp max. So should i get an aftermarket headgasket or would just using another stock one be good enough? Only reason i ask is because im ordering the full gasket kit and it comes with a stock headgasket and if thats good enough i'll run that instead of spending $240 on another headgasket. ARP studs are definitely being used.

Well, since you asked pretty much exactly the same question as the OP, and we answered that already, I'd suggest reading the above thread and you'll find your answer. Also, the ARP head stud are a real good idea and do more to help the gasket from blowing out than the gasket does IMHO.

[SullivanRacing06]

if your saying 125-150 is allot of money a rb is not a good idea, itll rape your pockets for every penny you have

[ncturbospecv]

if your saying 125-150 is allot of money a rb is not a good idea, itll rape your pockets for every penny you have

Its more about trying to spend the money where it needs to be so if i can save $240 then id like to. Cheapest i've found aftermarket headgaskets are around $240 besides the cometic for $160 but i have heard bad things about cometic from KA-T guys.

[HxC_Nismo]

well wether your using an oem or aftermarket hg your still going to have to get a mirror finish put on the head so your going to have to pay a machine shop too. if thats too much money just leave the hg alone and just replace the basics on the engine that needs to be done for the basic swap.

Fast, Cheap, Reliable- Only pick two cause RB's are not cheap when you want to build them

[Bluefire]

well wether your using an oem or aftermarket hg your still going to have to get a mirror finish put on the head so your going to have to pay a machine shop too. if thats too much money just leave the hg alone and just replace the basics on the engine that needs to be done for the basic swap.

Fast, Cheap, Reliable- Only pick two cause RB's are not cheap when you want to build them

No need to deck the block or head. Just scrape off excess gasket material, then wire wheel clean. Done this a million times with both oem gaskets and metal.

Here's the basic breakdown in my book. If you already planned on taking the head off then go ahead and swap to a metal headgasket. If you have no other reason to take the head off, then just leave it alone. Don't fix what ain't broke.

-Bluefire