Hi there! I’ve been experiencing head-lift issues with my Evo IX. My block hasn’t been oring, and I don’t want to oring it. Currently, I’m using ARP L19 Headstuds paired with SCE Vulcan Cut Ring Gasket. I’m boosting 35 psi and using pumped gas. Could you recommend a recommended setup to prevent head-lift? My current bore is 86.5 mm, so the OEM gasket won’t fit.

 

Are you re-torquing the studs after a few heat cycles? I don't think the gasket is your issue. Its likely clamping force, flatness or tuning.

I have been running L19s with a stock gasket for years making 600whp.

 

I’ve only torque after 1 heat cycle. I’m planning on changing to CA625 stud.

 

Well at least you are retorquing them so that's good.

Have you had the head and block checked? To me this still reads as something other than head studs. L19s are solid

 

Same issue here. Car keeps lifting head and have gotten head machined now a few times which has led to the required use of a 1.6mm gasket. Currently running a nitto fire ring gasket and having issues again at 40 psi and only 780whp.

 

What are you running for studs? I assume no detonation issues? Similar to the OP, this reads like something weird is up with the surfaces, clamping force or tuning.

 

Same issue i'm facing.

 

625’s. Gonna try taking it to someone else.

 

Yea, I would lean towards either an issue with the surfaces or possibly getting some detonation. 625s are a solid stud and assuming the are torqued correctly and retorqued after a heat cycle or 2, I can't think of anything else.

Are you on pump, e85 or something else?

 

they were never retorqued. Mating surface was checked by machine shop. I’m gonna make the drive to RRT. 625+ custom age with a NITTO fire ring head gasket. E85.

 

Yea, the retorquing thing is important. I had a head gasket kick with L19s after the initial engine build because I forgot to retorque them. That was 5+ years and 15k miles ago now.

 

did you have to resurface head or it was still straight and you were able to just replace HG?

 

I pulled the head and had a local machine shop check it over. It was flat so they just tossed a surface finish on it and that was it.
New gasket, re-used the L19s, and made sure to retorque them after 3 heat cycles taking it easy on those 3 obviously.

I did pull the valve cover and check the torque again the next summer when I got the car out bc I was paranoid but they were all fine then.

 

Thank you for the insight. No way my car should be having these issues with these bolts and such a nice headgasket. Not even making crazy power.

 

Yea, I mean you should be fine. I make less than you do but its still leaning on it lol.

I would check the block surface with feeler gauges and a machinist flat edge next time the head is off, I forgot to mention that I did that after my gasket kicked as well.

The other thing you could look at is tuning? Idk who you have tuning the car but if there is detonation, it can lift the head easy.