What size head gasket?

[Samabra]

Hey guys, due to some problems, it looks like I'm gonna have to take the head of my SR, for a vavle problem, so I'm gonna replace the head gasket, can anyone recommend a size, there are a few differant ones. Engine mods are as follows Trust TD06S Turbo Custom top mount manifoldUnknown 850 CC injectorsCams of unknonw origin (pretty crazy though)Greddy 3" downpipeGP full 3" exhuastHeavythrottle 3" test pipeECU modified for injectors and MAFGreddy V-SPL front mount and pipingGreddy Type R BOVSilvia front end conversionACT clutchOBX short throw shifterFront tower strut brace Any suggestions?

[Samabra]

OK I've been looking around, and I need to go bigger than 1.2 MM, and I think I've seen one that's 1.5 MM and metal, should I go with that, or just get a 1.2 metal one?

[I H8 UR DSM]

why is that? and who told u that?

I'd stay closest to normal as possible.

Or it sounds like you might be trying to change compression with a larger headgasket...never a good idea.

build the motor.

[GraySilvia]

isn't 1.2mm stock thickness?!?

[ItzGenX]

0.6mm is stock thickness

[James]

Who makes a .6mm thick head gasket? I know Apex'i makes a .8mm thick one, what effect would I see with that cr wise?-James

[Infamous]

the thicker the head gasket, the more compresion you lose...

[flyfishz]

noticed you guys are talking engne mods... I bought my son a 89 240 sx yesterday...I want to put a little kick in the motor...What do you guys recomend and how hard is it to do the work? ... what would you do with say $3000 budget?

[Onizuka]

these are mods for the japanese-only SR20DET engine, if 3000 is you budget, you could get one and install it yourself if your good with working on cars.with whatever money is left over you could get an exaust system, that will give you like 215hp at the crank.

[Samabra]

I H8 UR DSM, Daunt said that in another post, that if your going to be adding more boost, get a thicker head gasket. So I should stay as close to stock thickness as possible to keep the compression ratio the same, so to get a metal head gasket with close to the same thickness. Chris

[ItzGenX]

More boost isn't always better. A motor with higher compression will always have more power throughout the power band then a low compression motor on the same boost. Lower compression just gives more room for error while high compression gives a small window before things go boom. I have 9:1 pistons with a 0.43mm cosmetic head gasket in my closet right now. Saving them for when the project goes full speed o' head.

[Samabra]

Thanks Chris

[James]

So just so I can here it from someone else...The stock headgasket is .6mm? right-James

[ItzGenX]

Quote »0.6mm is stock thickness[/quote]

[PS13drift]

so would the .8mm work better for 250hp-300hp? (running on higher than stock boost with bolt-ons)

[charlotte240]

Just something that most people know that nobody has mentioned but I thought I'd just state the obvious.

Head gaskets aren't metal from the factory for 2 reasons. Paper is cheaper than metal. And paper is weaker than metal. My dads thunderbird requires premium gas. My mom has driven it 3 times and every time she has filled it up with regular. I have heard the engine ping. She has blown a headgasket 3 times. Now, having a weak head gasket kind of sucks, but at least the bottom end of the engine is fine.

I know that seems extremely stupid (and yes, it is. I still give her hell for it), but if you are just learning serious tuning and boosting, chances are you are going to ping/detonate a few times. A weak headgasket is alot cheaper than a total rebuild. Just a thought.

P.S. Yeah, Fords are peices of crap.

[Samabra]

Man old post, I fixed all my problems regarding the head gasket, and have moved on to bigger and better problems Chris