Turbo KA Headgasket - Copper vs. Steel vs. O'Ring

[wheelzinmotion]

I'm currently in the process of building a KA forged turbo engine and want to install a good and boost capable headgasket. So far the options I have found (including ARP Studs) are:

* Use a FelPro or Nissan OEM headgasket and do an O'Ring job to the block.

* Use a Copper headgasket from SCE

* Use a Steel headgasket from http://www.back-yard-productions.com/KASTHD1.jpg

* Use a combination of Copper headgasket with an O'Ring job on the block.

* Any other possible alternative/combinations???

Please comment with your "Real World" facts and experience.

Does anyone know who makes the steel headgasket that Back-Yard-Productions advertise and sells in their Web Site? Has anyone used this headgasket? If someone has used it or seen it personally then please comment on its quality, finish and fitment.

What should be a safe torque spec for ARP's KA head studs? Should stock torque specs be retained or a slight increase in torque help without causing more problems that it solves?

[95_240sx]

Well, the people who I know who use either a stock head gasket or o-ringing are:

Me - O-ringed, undetermined amount of boostJay - Stock head gasktet, 30lbs of boostChris May - O-ringed, 24 or something lbs of boost

I dont know anyone who has the SCE gasket, or the BYP gasket nor do I have any experience with them so Im not going to comment on them.

Rick

[Jeff240sx]

BoostedS14 (from Zilvia.net) is running 27psi on an O-ringed headgasket, and I'll be running 18psi or so, a very safe limit on the stock headgasket. Boost won't/shouldn't kill it, as judging by the stock design, but detonation certainly will.Also.. the BYP headgaskets were backordered for like 3 months, according to FreshAlloy.-Jeff

[95_240sx]

Yeah, another thing you can use an o-ringed system for is somewhat of a fuse, which is Chris May's theory. Wouldnt you rather blow out a head gasket, in the occurrence you DID have some detonation, rather that blow up an engine? Makes sense to me. Plus its way cheaper than o-ringing.

Rick

[wheelzinmotion]

Anyone has a headgasket brand quality and performance/endurance preference, like Nissan OEM, FelPro or any other good replacement. Please comment.

[TrunkMonkey]

Also.. the BYP headgaskets were backordered for like 3 months, according to FreshAlloy.-Jeff

i wonder why since i've never heard of anyone actually using it.

does anyone know anyone that's using it?

-demetrius

[TrunkMonkey]

Anyone has a headgasket brand quality and performance/endurance preference, like Nissan OEM, FelPro or any other good replacement. Please comment.

i'd use the oem gasket. Jay pushing 30psi with no problems is enough to convince me that it works beautifully.

-demetrius

[maxpsi]

While Copper is a good conductor, heat resistor, and will help keep the heat down, Steel can handle and hold heat and pressure best.Stock, i agree with Chris May's theory as i use the stock headgasket now as well.

[WDRacing]

25 psi for 2 years on a the OEM for my RB20. No leaks and no problems. Just kill the detonation and that should be good for the majority of us.

I eventually upgraded to a 2mm HKS steal shim type head gasket when I was going for 30 psi. But I found that lowering my compression made me lose what little driveability was left. But I never blew the head gasket. The pistons went way before that...heh.

PS...I don't think I'd buy anything from BYP....EVER.

WD

[95_240sx]

Any reason why you wouldnt do business with them WD?

ANd hey, btw, when are you coming back to the states?

Rick

[TrunkMonkey]

do a search on byp and you'll see why.

-demetrius

[WDRacing]

2 more years.....

[silviaNE]

OEM is the way to go. As long as no detenation is present, you can boost till your heart contends.