OEM headgasket or cometic??

[blcknspo0ln]

I have the head torn off and ARP's sitting in my block right now. Lately i've been doing some research on cometic HG's. but I think it's overkill. I am at the peak of my performance and am not willing to go any larger than the setup I have. currently I have a SBR G50 turbo with supporting mods (the last thing I will get is SMIM and cams), and am running 21 psi on the street. After my final mods, I will be tuning at 23 psi and calling it a day. this car is not daily driven anymore and the ONLY driving she will see will be at fullboost at the track

My question is, I have an OEM headgasket (not MLS) in the mail and will be ready to install on Tuesday. should I opt to get a cometic headgasket? or will the stock composite headgasket perform ? Just for insight my stock HG did fine with the 50 trim for a good 3k miles before the waterpump blew.

any insight would be helpful!

 

[Cheks_Talon_TSi]

I bet, the Commetic HP will be better.

good luck

 

[ISUJakey]

Has there been any machining done to assure the mating surface between your head and block is true? If not, stick with the Mitsu.

 

[Sotarts]

There's a reason why there is an alternative to the OEM composite head gaskets, especially at 20+psi on a large turbo. I would machine the surfaces and at least use a metal head gasket.

Are you willing to do it all over again, wasting time, when you blow the composite gasket?

 

[ISUJakey]

There's a reason why there is an alternative to the OEM composite head gaskets, especially at 20+psi on a large turbo. I would machine the surfaces and at least use a metal head gasket.

Are you willing to do it all over again, wasting time, when you blow the composite gasket?

I don't follow why you recommend a metal headgasket without mentioning the absolute necessary step of checking the mating surface condition.

 

[blcknspo0ln]

MLS is more involved than I'd rather take it. Plus the fact that I dont feel like taking the block out to have it decked.

the head was checked for straightness and was less than a .003" tolerance, so I'd say it's pretty straight

I guess I will do more research on the cometic and see what's up.. thanks for the advise

 

[Coup D E'Tat]

MLS is more involved than I'd rather take it. Plus the fact that I dont feel like taking the block out to have it decked.

the head was checked for straightness and was less than a .003" tolerance, so I'd say it's pretty straight

I guess I will do more research on the cometic and see what's up.. thanks for the advise

Myself and numerous other locals have had no problems sealing an MLS gasket on unmachined heads/blocks. Clean prep and copper spray sealed mine up fine.

Not saying our way is the right way, just that it's been done before.

 

[Sotarts]

I don't follow why you recommend a metal headgasket without mentioning the absolute necessary step of checking the mating surface condition.

Re-read my post.

There's a reason why there is an alternative to the OEM composite head gaskets, especially at 20+psi on a large turbo. I would machine the surfaces and at least use a metal head gasket.

Are you willing to do it all over again, wasting time, when you blow the composite gasket?

Of course that may not be economical, but modifying cars exclusively for track use isn't an economical idea, now, is it?

 

[blcknspo0ln]

through some other research, i've decided to keep the OEM

 

[ISUJakey]

Re-read my post.



Of course that may not be economical, but modifying cars exclusively for track use isn't an economical idea, now, is it?

Oops, my bad. I guess it's that time of the month to learn how to read.