whats the best headgasket?

[shadoof77]

finally got the head off and sure enough the gasket blown. So i'm on the search for a new gasket however there are so many to choose from and I don't know whats the best out there. Who's recondmended. If anyone could point me into the right direction I would greatly appriciate it. Thanks in advance!

 

[92AWDHX40]

Oem works great, its about all your going to need plus some arps. Beyond that unless your over 450 or 500 hp, i would stick with that.

 

[BIGBLAZE79]

Have the head surface machined at a machine shop and have it pressure tested. If you don't plan on over 25Lbs of boost use the factory composit gasket. I would pick up some ARP studs too. You can use the a MLS gasket for higher boost if you have both head and block surfaces super flat and a mirror finish. Any of these MLS would work fine Cometic, mitsu, fel-pro are all good.

 

[shadoof77]

Have the head surface machined at a machine shop and have it pressure tested. If you don't plan on over 25Lbs of boost use the factory composit gasket. I would pick up some ARP studs too. You can use the a MLS gasket for higher boost if you have both head and block surfaces super flat and a mirror finish. Any of these MLS would work fine Cometic, mitsu, fel-pro are all good.

awesome. and no I plan on sticking under 15psi... already have the arp in. thanks again!

 

[fran_drivertsi]

Ditch stock headgasket. Its JUNK! Go with better one early, or pay later when it blows.

 

[shadoof77]

on extremepsi they got complete gasket set. one from fel-pro for $141 and one from topline for $84. They look like both the same gaskets so why is fel-pro more expensive?

 

[BIGBLAZE79]

You will be fine with the top line gasket set. Both head gaskets are graphite composite material. top line is a repackaged felpro anyway !

I would recommend OEM from the dealer. They always have quality stuff so you don't have to second guess your decision.

 

[shadoof77]

You will be fine with the top line gasket set. Both head gaskets are graphite composite material. top line is a repackaged felpro anyway !

Ok cool. Like I said i'm not looking to push 500hp into my engine . 300-350max, so hopefully this does the trick.

 

[tallywacker]

Ok cool. Like I said i'm not looking to push 500hp into my engine . 300-350max, so hopefully this does the trick.

Factory and felpro have held 500 hp with no problems as well.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Yeah buddy.

 

[red_devil]

Searching through the threads I would say low to medium boost go with oem, for high boost go with Felpro permatorque, and of course arp studs and L19s accordingly.

 

[blcknspo0ln]

Ditch stock headgasket. Its JUNK! Go with better one early, or pay later when it blows.

FALSE. please do not spread misinformation.

Searching through the threads I would say low to medium boost go with oem, for high boost go with Felpro permatorque, and of course arp studs and L19s accordingly.

As mentioned earlier in the thread, non-composite headgaskets need to have machined surfaces in order to seal consistently and effectively. ARP is a company, when you mention L19's, please understand that these are in league with the A1's, not your standard ARP head studs. Lots of half answer here, so please specific when you dish out tech answers.

on extremepsi they got complete gasket set. one from fel-pro for $141 and one from topline for $84. They look like both the same gaskets so why is fel-pro more expensive?

That's a kit with all of the different gaskets in it. Last time I checked an OEM headgasket was ~$45, which is the same as fel-pro. Composite head gaskets on good, clean, straight surfaces (coupled with some standard ARP head studs) have been known and are known to handle upwards of 30-32psi just fine. How do I know? I ran my DSM that way for 3 years, along with seeing/tuning many others.

 

[standard235]

Good stuff. Ordering an OEM Mitsu gasket and ARP Studs tomorrow.

 

[Calan]

awesome. and no I plan on sticking under 15psi... already have the arp in. thanks again!

Ok cool. Like I said i'm not looking to push 500hp into my engine . 300-350max, so hopefully this does the trick.

Well you need to fill out your profile so we have some idea of what mods you have, but...

Getting to 300-350whp with less than 15 psi (assuming the usual small turbo and modest mods) is gonna take some good fuel, a really good tune, and some luck. So are you wanting to stay below 15psi, or hit 350hp?

Regardless, a composite HG will be just fine at those power levels and require less machine work/cost, as Tom explained above.

 

[standard235]

Word of advice. Don't run 27psi on a big 16g on stock hg/bolts.

Lifted head and pushed coolant.

Let it cool, fill coolant. Driving around town, no issues. Boost=problems.

Or, you can do head studs and not worry about it.

 

[Calan]

Or, you can do head studs and not worry about it.

The OP stated in the 4th post that he already has ARP's.

 

[spoolin ddub]

A good head gasket is the Mitsu MLS head gasket. Stands up to 237mph at an estimated 1200+awhp.

 

[red_devil]

As mentioned earlier in the thread, non-composite headgaskets need to have machined surfaces in order to seal consistently and effectively. ARP is a company, when you mention L19's, please understand that these are in league with the A1's, not your standard ARP head studs. Lots of half answer here, so please specific when you dish out tech answers.

Sorry thought it was a given to machine the surfaces with a non-composite. Ideally I would do it even with the oem gasket for best results.

As far as fasteners I meant that to use regular ARP with lower boost and L19 material studs (either ARP L19 or A1 A19) for high boost in my thread.

 

[blcknspo0ln]

yea, that's why I wasn't so callous with my response. *I* knew what you were talking about, but not every member reading will. That's why it's important to be clear to the point of making your head hurt with obviousness. Trust me, in the past I've had members try to blame ME for tech advice because I wasn't clear enough (although it was pretty clear to me).