Winter is coming up! The Evo just sits in the garage for the most part. So its going under the knife like every other winter of having this car has been.

Being the fact I want to get my head ported this winter im going to change the Head Gasket and wondering if I should O-Ring the head while it is out!

Im going to be running 40 PSI and make I hope around 800whp. With all the problems 4G64's have with sealing the head what should I do?

What HG should I run? I was thinking PE

Should I O-Ring the head while it is out? Does it seal better when o-ringed?

 

Have you had any issues now with the head sealing at 32psi ? and from what i have read i would stay away from the PE headgasket, best choices would be Cosworth.

 

Im not really sure to tell you the truth, when I push it to over 34PSI sometimes it isn't happy. Cosworth has a thick HG from what I read so it would lower the CR. But I think Cosworth is an awesome company for sure.

Ive talk to a few people that have PE gaskets and run 40psi with no problems. I think I need to o-ring the head everyone I talk to has it o-ringed.

 

o-ringing the head will give something for the headgasket to "bite" into. So to answer your question yes it will seal better.

If I was in your situation I would do it, just because the head is already out and you wouldn't want to have to pull the head this summer just to replace a head gasket that didn't seal properly. Then again if your tune is spot on with no detonation I don't see why the head would lift in the first place... You should also consider getting your head studs measured to see if they stretched beyond specification.

 

Yea I think im getting it o-ringed while it is out. I no it isn't the tune, a/f are 11.6-11.8 super safe on E85 and I no my timing is super safe also no knock so it isn't the tune.

now the question is what Head Gasket to run. I really leaning towards the Cosworth one. Any with that one please chime in!

 

you have a couple options. But PE shouldnt even be considered. They fail over time and burn the fire ring out. O-ring the head, and go with: Cometic non-HD, AMS modified one, or modify a stock 85mm headgasket. Cosworth gaskets arent made by Cosworth and arent worth it. Oh forgot MAPs Eco headgasket.

In the end, if it leaks with a stock headgasket, your machinist is at fault.

 

correct. i would just do it while the head is out

 

idk about all of that. I havnt heard from 1 person cosworth is bad. I no 2 people with PE head gaskets running 40+ psi with over 750whp with no problems. I run a cometic gasket now, not a big fan of it.

 

If the block deck has been surfaced, and the head surfaced, both properly and with the correct surface finish. then you should not need an O ring.

Also if you install O rings in the head, by rights you should have receiver grooves in the block.

I know of a head I built, No O rings, 48psi out of a 74mm turbo, 1004 HP/ 719tq not pushing.

I would check where the head stud washers sit on the head casting and see if they are digging in.

 

I would not do it. Unless like Bogus said you have a receiver groove and use a copper gasket.

 

hmm idk, I could get just throw in a PE or Cosworth HG I think ill be fine. I really wanna get o-ring just for safety reasons.

 

I would o ring it being its just added insurance. I have o ringed the head on my dsms with mls gaskets and had no issues. People have been doing it for years without issues.

 

Ok, so you have decided to O ring.

Are you going to use Copper or stainless wire? What protrusion? What HG?

 

Don't do it!

 

i would do it. esp running the psi and HP you want to push it. i have pushed mine to similar boost levels, now that its O ringed its just a little more security that makes me feel better about it.