Best head gasket kit for the money

[Firsts tuner]

So after messing with my dsm for 6 month os so I was finally able to get tags and insurance and take it for a spin. Everything was going good pressures and temps where they should be. I noticed when I boosted on it it would puff out the tail pipe. Thought it was just some oil burn off from a failed t25 that I replaced. I got it back home and realized it was actually steam. When I pulled the no1 plug steam just poured from the cylinder. Needless to say I need at least a head gasket. I plan on going ahead and doing all the timing components and water pump while I'm there. It's all pretty new but someone else put it on so we know how that goes. My question is who would you guys recommend getting the parts from. I found beck arnley and fel pro most commonly. What about gates for the timing set? Any info would be really appreciated. I literally almost cried when I realized what happened. Oh and there is no oil in the water but there is carbon bits floating around. I guess I know why the po got rid of it. Lastly are there any mods anyone would suggest while I got it apart? Thanke guys.

 

[ExtremeTurboSystems]

So after messing with my dsm for 6 month os so I was finally able to get tags and insurance and take it for a spin. Everything was going good pressures and temps where they should be. I noticed when I boosted on it it would puff out the tail pipe. Thought it was just some oil burn off from a failed t25 that I replaced. I got it back home and realized it was actually steam. When I pulled the no1 plug steam just poured from the cylinder. Needless to say I need at least a head gasket. I plan on going ahead and doing all the timing components and water pump while I'm there. It's all pretty new but someone else put it on so we know how that goes. My question is who would you guys recommend getting the parts from. I found beck arnley and fel pro most commonly. What about gates for the timing set? Any info would be really appreciated. I literally almost cried when I realized what happened. Oh and there is no oil in the water but there is carbon bits floating around. I guess I know why the po got rid of it. Lastly are there any mods anyone would suggest while I got it apart? Thanke guys.

I worked at an auto parts store for 6 years. I would go Beck/Arnley if you have the choice. They generally are OEM parts repackaged. The intake manifold gasket is much better then the fel pro paper one. I would definetly do a Gates timing belt kit ive used numerous ones and sold them for years without any issues. Don't forget to do ARP head studs while your at it. You will be glad you did if you decide to run more boost down the road.

-Robert

 

[WES_393]

If your looking for an entire upper gasket set, Felpro would be the way to go. All of their gaskets (that I have seen) are great quality, including the head gasket.

For a complete timing belt kit, Gates would be a very good choice. I run Gates belts and components on both my DSM's. I use a Gates Racing belt on my TSi for reassurance, but I wouldn't mind using the standard belt either.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Oem or felpro and some arps good to go.

 

[Firsts tuner]

Solid info. Thanks. I looked at prices and I realize that you get what you pay for but the local shop has the fel pro for a third the price of the beck arnley. I don't want to cheap out on it unless its safe to do so. The beck kit looks to have a lot of stuff I may not need and I know that at least the gaskets I can see already on the car are fel pro. The arp studs are a definite. Btw I don't have really big plans for this car performance wise. I am basically trying to get it reliable enough to turn the wife loose in it so I can focus on a gsx build. This car is basically my dsm learning curve.

 

[jdxnc]

I've run a Felpro at 28psi all of last season with issues with arp studs, looks visually identical to an oem.

Before that I was on an OEM with the same studs, again with no issues, so I'd say go with the Felpro and save some cash.

 

[Firsts tuner]

Cool. Thanks for all the insanely fast responses. I think I'm gonna go with the fel pro head gasket kit, gates timing set and the arp studs. I'm thinking of doing some minor porting and polishing to the head while its off. Thoughts? The car was already pulling like a pit bull at the end of its chain, and I mean breaking traction at 10 mph and spinning till I lift. I don't know if I really need to do anything more beyond just putting it back together. I'm not a complete novice with a die grinder and a burr, so are there any specific areas to pay attention to?

 

[turbolover10]

I'd leave the head the way it is, its perfectly fine for up to 600hp from the info I've read. "2g head" They design the ports small for a reason, velocity!

Other mods seem spot on good luck!

If you have the itch to port and haven't already the stock 2g manifold is where I would start!

 

[Firsts tuner]

I'd leave the head the way it is, its perfectly fine for up to 600hp from the info I've read. "2g head" They design the ports small for a reason, velocity!

Other mods seem spot on good luck!

If you have the itch to port and haven't already the stock 2g manifold is where I would start!

Cool. The manifold was on my hit list. I'm thinking just a drum sanding to smooth out the casting and a port match. Possibly a bs delete while its all apart but probably not. Like I said this car is mostly going to be for the wife with some minor modding as the need arises.

 

[My1GLaser]

If you order the HG kit on advanceautoparts.com and use an online coupon(Advance Auto Parts Coupons), you can save $30 or $40 on it. Just scroll to the one that matches your total in your cart...

You can smooth up the casting flaws n the head. Search BogusSVO on here and see if he has a write up for port work.

 

[Firsts tuner]

Will do. I thought of actually pm'ing bogus about some guidelines or tips on porting it. What not to do and the such.Just a quick update. I looked at the timing components. Everything is really good looking very minimal if any flash rusting on the exterior of the components. I'm obviously not going to reuse the belts but I should be ok reusing the tensioner and pulley right? Given there is no wear or damage when I remove and inspect it all? I'm already driving my wife mad looking for parts and trying to scare up some side work to fund this little project. Just a side note on porting. I had a friend buy a brand new head for his 22re Toyota motor and he asked me to critique his porting job. When I looked at he had actually taken out too much material and breeched a coolant runner. Looked awesome but it couldn't be returned to Toyota. 800 dollar lesson learned.

What's mitsuboshi? I saw that brand of timing kit on e bay just browsing. I did a quick search and got a result on here from someone saying they were oem on a 1g? Anybody have any input on this brand.

 

[Firsts tuner]

Sooooooo. Yeah. I've got a nt motor. I had suspicions but the 63d casting number on the pistons confirmed it. I'm debating what to do now. This car is going to the wife so I'm tempted to just fix the head gasket replace the timing set and call it a day. This car was only boosting to like 8psi so I would think it would be ok as a commuter. She's not exactly a street racer if you know what I mean? I know from the research I've done the consensus is split. Half say it'll be ok with low boost other say that if I run it the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse will come and collect my soul. I guess I will find out soon. I am soooo not buying a new motor to put in a fwd that I'm giving to my wife. Btw thank you My1glaser for the line on the cupon. I saved 40 bucks on my order that should be here Saturday.

 

[PrimerPLus]

I am about to be doing a rebuild from top to bottom. What Felpro gasket kit are you suggesting to get? Advanced auto parts online store is not very descriptive of what is included.

And does it come with the 7cm manifold to turbo gasket, 4 layer exhaust manifold gasket or should I just keep the ones I have and replace the HG, and short block gaskets?

 

[Firsts tuner]

I just got the top end fel pro set with composite gasket. And I just got fel pro head bolts. I didn't see any reason to go overboard on a motor that won't see more than 10psi. The kit I bought didn't come with the turbo to manifold gasket. And the manifold to head gasket was composite. So far so good it's holding up pretty well.

 

[PrimerPLus]

Ok I have been looking and I found these 2 kits. Are these the ones everyone recommends to get?
If not can you link the correct set. Thank you. Just to be sure, these will hold 400hp with 25lbs boost.
FELPRO Headgasket Set
conversion set

 

[1gAWDlaser]

Ok I have been looking and I found these 2 kits. Are these the ones everyone recommends to get?
If not can you link the correct set. Thank you. Just to be sure, these will hold 400hp with 25lbs boost.
FELPRO Headgasket Set
conversion set

Felpro composite HG is perfectly fine for 25 psi daily. I ran the same HG on my1g awd eclipse that saw 30+ psi daily

 

[BogusSVO]

Sooooooo. Yeah. I've got a nt motor. I had suspicions but the 63d casting number on the pistons confirmed it. I'm debating what to do now. This car is going to the wife so I'm tempted to just fix the head gasket replace the timing set and call it a day. This car was only boosting to like 8psi so I would think it would be ok as a commuter. She's not exactly a street racer if you know what I mean? I know from the research I've done the consensus is split. Half say it'll be ok with low boost other say that if I run it the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse will come and collect my soul. I guess I will find out soon. I am soooo not buying a new motor to put in a fwd that I'm giving to my wife. Btw thank you My1glaser for the line on the cupon. I saved 40 bucks on my order that should be here Saturday.

I would advise getting a set of the NPR Turbo pistons, rings and bearings.

Have the pistons swapped out on the rods and install.

The ring lands are higher towards the top of the pistons on the NA than the turbo, also the rings are different between the NA and turbo.

If anything goes wrong, something in the tune, the MBC or fuel injector, fuel pump. The NA pistons will fail in short order.