Head Gasket?????

[4wheelsNmotion]

I don't know if my headgasket has ever been changed before, but I have put 5,000 iles onthe car since I got it. No major problems so far, but I plan to build the car up a little. I figure I need to ask about head gasket, because of the high amount of boost everyone is running. You guys running over 20psi must have one hell of a head gasket. I would think that much boost would blow a head gasket in a second. Input please. Thanx.

 

[AWDkitkat]

I use oem. some go with mitsu metal but its a little less tolerant. ive had no hg problems on a daily 22psi. as long as you stay away from felpro or copper. hks is also great if you have the cash and think you need it.

 

[4wheelsNmotion]

I've seen the HKS one for about $250, but that sounds rediculously high. So, no thick copper agskets and no Mitsu metals. OEm should work fine. That's music to my ears.

Have you had to change your head gasket yet? If so, what milage were you at? Any 2Gers out the care to reply?

 

[AWDkitkat]

I didn't say no mitsu metal. I just said its a little less tolerant. meaning if your head is scratched or a little off the metal will not hold as well. if you have a competent builder it shouldn't be a problem. I just take the safe road with oem.

 

[NosLaser]

First off, with proper tuning, the head gasket will be the last thing to blow on your car. Head gaskets usually blow due to detonation, or some other 'problem' not just raw horsepower. Without doing a fresh deck on the head and block surface, and really taking the time to prep the surface, you'll never get as good of a seal as you have with the factory gasket. I say leave it alone, and chances are it won't blow. If you put a huge turbo on the car as your first couple mods and cheap out on the fuel system and fuel control like an idiot (which I see ALLLLL too often) then yes, you'll run into problems.

Regards,

 

[4wheelsNmotion]

Thanx for the info guys. I have all the V8 guys around here telling me to watch out for that head gasket. I'm only 1 of 2 folks in my town with a turbo Eclipse. The other guy has a GST lightly modded and he's scared to run me because of AWD. He's had his car for over a year and I've have mine 2 months. Kinda CS.