Head Gasket Selection

[gridlyne]

Hey guys, Im rebuilding my motor with stock internals (2g Pistons on 1g Rods) and HKS cams in the head. 550 injectors and nothing else pretty much. I will probably run no more than 18-20lbs (Max) of boost.

Im looking for a good rebuild kit. Right now I am stuck between two head gasket choices. Which is better suited?

The Cometic or the OEM 4 layer metal head gasket? The other question is what thickness would I need with the Cometic. I saw varrying thickness's?

Example:
http://www.dsmparts.com/customer/product.php?productid=396&cat=122&page=1

I plan on auto crossing the car and will put most of the money into wheels, brakes and suspension. So besides a larger IC, turbo and Feul pump I wont be adding anymore power to the motor.

Thanks in advance. And I apologize in advance for the vague noobish question.

 

[boostenon114]

i am a huge fan of 4 layer metal head gaskets! In my opinion a little thicker never hurt with a turbo engine. You can fill in the gap with a bit more boost =) Plus being in auto cross your going to be running you engine hard and hot. A little more money now saves ya time and money later!

 

[gridlyne]

i am a huge fan of 4 layer metal head gaskets! In my opinion a little thicker never hurt with a turbo engine. You can fill in the gap with a bit more boost =) Plus being in auto cross your going to be running you engine hard and hot. A little more money now saves ya time and money later!

So your saying that the 4 layer is thicker than the Cometic HG? Aren't there 2 thickness's of the Cometic?

 

[96gstdsm]

make sure you get a really good mirror finish on both the head and the block. I just put a mitsu mls gasket and it didn't seal since the surface wasn't quite good enough.
I now went with an oem composite gasket. People have ran that with as high as 30 psi. That and arp headstuds are a good set up. Obviously a mls gasket if able to seal correctly will hold a lot more boost but are a lot pickier as well.

 

[DsM KiD4]

i ordered an oem gasket from mits today. Is an oem headgasket capable of handling power or should i cancel my order?

 

[96gstdsm]

i ordered an oem gasket from mits today. Is an oem headgasket capable of handling power or should i cancel my order?

Like I posted before, I know people that have run close to 30 psi on the stock headgasket and arp head studs. Around 20 should be no problem considering you get a good tune and all.

 

[Xit40]

You know if your just going to do a stock rebuild you don't even need a MLS Head Gasket. Like stated above you need your head and block to be perfectly flat and have a RA at or below about 60 (mirror shine). The OEM Composite seals well and will work just fine with ARP Head Studs (very necessary) if you're only planning on running 15 - 20psi on it. Another non MLS option would be the AJUSA head gasket from Jackson Auto Machine.

Side note: Ryan you have 666 posts watch out. Also are you a part of Rochester DSM? Your in my part of the woods.

 

[gridlyne]

So i should just stick with the OEM 4 layer Metal HG? you got it. Thanks very much for the info guys.