I have seen some of my clinets being sold thicker upgrade gaskets for the head like HKS, etc .

These lower compression

On stock turbo cars you will loose spool up and also peak power with these gaskets - they are designed for guys with big boost turbos or with heads that have been machined many times

The way to get more power out of stock turbo cars is to increase compression

BTW - the stock head gasket is amazing - I have not seen one blow yet if you use the ARP head studs and trq them properly - I have run up to 575 whp on the stock head gaskets and o ring without incident

I say save your $$ for more power mods

OR - if you really want a upgrade head gasket - special order the PE stock thickness gasket from Nino - it will give you the upgrade but is not thicker

 

Al, regarding the PE stuff, I've heard very good things about their belts. Have you tried any of the high-strength belts like Toda or PE?

 

I have both belts here on my desk - if you need either let me know - I can sell you either at 10% off list BTW - the PE belts are just simply amazing

Don't think you need them - the stock ones hold up fine for dave buchur at 800 whp

Seriously the stock belts are good

Alaso - i have not yet tested these PE belts

They just look amazing !

 

Al, didn't you say a few months ago after you tore your engine apart that you thought that there would be a lot of blown head gaskets? I am referring to the pic that you included of your engine that showed that there was damage around one of the pistons. Did you maybe mean that if you are using the head studs that you won't ave a problem, becasue other wise I am a little confused.

 

What I am saying is that on stock turbo cars with stock engines - - IF THEY USE ARP head studs - the stock gasket will be fine and that IMHO its a bad move to go with a thicker aftermarket gasket

We have seen many gasket flailures on stock motors with stock turbos - BUT ALL HAD STOCK head bolts - which strech easily and do NOT hold the trq in the fastener over time

IMHO - use the stock gasket wih the ARP head studs (properly trq'ed and installed - key) and you wont have any problems

Finally - to reiterate - IF you use the thicker gaskets - which lower compression slightly - you will loose power and spool up on the stock turbo

The highest whp stock turboed evo we saw had higher compression pistons than stock - 9.2 / 1 - good for 20 whp gain on stock turbo over stock compression

 

Al. How much would installing the ARP head bolts cost? Is it hard to do?

 

Al, Dont you have to be real carful with raising the compression on a turbo car? I always thought it was good to keep it low with turbo and high for n/a? Just thought i would ask becouse i would really consider it if it was safe to run 21-22psi on. Also i just got the Auterra Datalogger have you played with that at all? Just wondering what you thought about it.

Chris

 

wow...you lear something new every day

 

Bump

 

thicker head gaskets can also change your timing.
the only time i would change it would be to hit 600whp stock block.

 

Thats the main resason why the sell cam gears to correct for serious engine mods such as a seriously decked block or head

I agree with you 100%