Hello all you diamond star nuts. I would like to pose a question and see how you all respond. I have a 2003 evo 8 that is 99% stock. I have a 3" turbo back exhaust, boost controller, and 850 injectors pretty much. Also running TephraMod v7 tune with mild adjustments on my part for fuel and timing.

Long story short, I went to replace all my exhaust gaskets because I had a leak and decided to do a leak down test. I found out cylinders 3 and 4 were leaking out the valves, so I took it to a machine shop. Two valves were distorted and the mating surface needed to be decked. It also got a 3 angle valve job. New seals, etc. I ordered ARP head studs, and got a Fel-Pro gasket kit for all the misc gaskets I would need. It comes with a head gasket, and I'm wondering if it would be sufficient for my needs. The car is putting out just over stock HP and I run it at the track only now and again. It's not my DD, and if I decide to go bigger turbo or cams or anything, I'm happy to replace the HG. I'm just wondering if this is sufficient since I have it. In other words, why spend another $80-$100 on a headgasket if the one I have with the kit will be fine?

Here is a link to the exact kit I purchased: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/f...-pt/20780222-P

PS - please don't respond with negative comments or comments that are just not useful. I've been working on DSMs since 2004 and don't mind having it sit in the garage while I work on it. I haven't seen much posted on here about this felpro gasket, so I wanted to see if anyone has any good information. Thanks! Cheers!

 

If you will sleep good knowing that you have fel pro gasket then go for it.but OEM gasket is $70 plus shipping.

 

Well the whole point of this post is to help me determine if I will sleep well with that gasket on and if I need to spend the extra money. Can you provide me some insight one way or the other?

 

Ok then.fel pro cost $150 for who knows why. OEM cost $70. If your car will stay in stockish form ,I naturally would go with OEM head gasket.

 

Nobody talks about Felpro here but I happen to know that Felpro is one of two recommended for the Subaru 2.5 and you know how Subaru is on head gaskets.

 

I just want to re-iterate a point I made in the original post. I already possess a Fel-Pro head gasket because I purchased the gasket kit for the cylinder head and it was included. So my decision is to

1) Spend $0 more and use the Fel-Pro
2) Spend $80 more and purchase an OEM gasket

I feel like perhaps that wasn't clear.

 

Thanks! What is the other recommended brand?

 

The other recommended Subaru headgasket is 6-star. This gasket is normally available only to jobbers. I heard that Subaru is now using a MLS gasket rather than the composite gasket used for years that was not junk but not excellent either.

 

spend the $ and buy oem...there's a lot of high hp cars running oem...I have hks gasket for sale on here brand new but if I need to replace it I'd buy oem...

 

I understand for high HP cars, other brands are recommended. But again, given my current HP level and minimal mods, I'm trying to see if this HG is sufficient.

 

If you're matting surfaces are flat and your head studs are torqued properly, you'll be fine.

 

well the way i think about it is this is not removing an intake and installing it...this is removing the head which is alot more work...i would go with a gasket that i know is proven and i can sleep better at night...do it right once and done have to mess with it again...i mean, maybe youll be ok with the fel pro but i wouldnt risk it...but then again, thats just me...to each his own...

 

I don't mind taking the head off again if it's a problem. It's not my daily, and the car can be down for as long as it needs. I think I'm going to try out the felpro and see how it goes.

 

well, in that case go for it...i mean, i guess if youre not running crazy boost itll be ok?

 

Haven't the Composite gaskets been known to 20+ psi with good surface prep and proper fasteners? If you don't feel comfortable using the gasket then don't.