Which head gasket...

[90 GSX]

I can get a good deal on a Regular (not high pressure) cometic head gasket for my rebuild. I can also get a metal 4-layer off ebay for close to the same price. By good prices I mean both are within 50-75 bucks shipped to me. Which do you recommend. The cometic regular, or the one in this link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=26261&item=3864595895&rd=1

 

[diambo4life]

Stock head gasket.

 

[rjgeier]

We need to know our goals.

 

[DSMatMSU]

Stock head gasket.

i concur, it seals the best... and shouldnt have a problem holding 22 - 25 psi with some arp head studs.... heard of too many ppl having low compression in the center two cyls, including myself.... so thats not to say you may not have problems with one, its just one of those things...
unless you have had both mating surfaces resurfaced...

 

[diambo4life]

Buschur swears by the stock head gasket and even another top 5 DSM AWD car that traps over 145mph uses the stock HG, ARP head studs + o-ringed block. It works best for the average street car. Not to mention the fact that people DO NOT properly prepare the head/block mating surfaces to run the metal HGs' and start wondering why they are over-pressurizing their cooling system and blowing the HG's left and right.

 

[90 GSX]

The head and block will both be decked. However, I plan on having no more than 350 awhp in this car for time that I own it. If a stock HG will be reliable, take what I have to throw at it (evo 3, possibly even a TO4 in the future) then I will go that route. They put it from the factory for a reason.

Know that the block and head will have fresh surfaces, does that change anybody's answers?

What is the cheapest place to get a stock HG (non-aftermarket, I prefer quality over a small amount of money).

 

[myblack98gst]

go with a mitsubishi MLS head gasket. do not get the stock crush style, they are a waste of money. Any significant amount of boost and it will blow. I blew 3, two of them semi intentionally on a big 16g @ 25 psi. that was with ARPs. If the block and head are getting smoothed then you will be fine. go with the metal now and save more money later

 

[anconover]

the stock headgasket does not suck. The stock headgasket has shown prove to handle upto 30psi. Its the best choice for most. The cheapest place for the gasket will be www.JNZtuning.com most likely.

 

[Rob Rohr]

the stock headgasket does not suck. The stock headgasket has shown prove to handle upto 30psi. Its the best choice for most. The cheapest place for the gasket will be www.JNZtuning.com most likely.

Let's put it another way. What is the best headgasket to hold 25psi (350whp or less) when you are replacing only the headgasket and studs (ARP)?. This means not taking the block out to resurface and/or O-ring. Is the stock Mitsu the winner vs. the Mitsu MLS or Cometic?

I ask it this way because many of us might be facing headgasket replacements on stock long-blocks and we want to miniminze the amout of labour the headgasket job will require, while still getting great results.

 

[WhiteCloud]

If you are not getting the head resurfaced, DO NOT go with a metal head gasket. I just used a HG and other gaskets bought from PartsDinosaur on ebay, and the complete engine gaskets kit was $140, including turbo mounting gaskets.

The actual manufacturer was ITM components, so it is a OEM spec gasket, not sold by Mitsu though. The gasket sealed great, and I've been running the car for two weeks at 17-20 psi on the EvoIII 16g with no problems. I also have ARP head studs.

For what it's worth, Kevin Jewer ran an 11.3 in his 2g on an OEM style HG. He plans to use the same one next season.

 

[diambo4life]

Stick with the stock head gasket. Tried and proven.