>Who here is running over 20#'s of boost ?
I'm debating on whether or not to o-ring the heads for this type of boost , but have been told that I would probably have coolant leaks since the copper head gaskets won't seal like the 1074 Felpro gaskets ... is there a way to add both gaskets together ? probably not .

 

I've got copper gaskets in my motor, haven't fired it yet though. I'm told that theres a coolant additive that's required when you run copper gaskets to get a better seal... does anyone know exactly what to use?

 

>coolant additive ... that should help right ? But with the leaks ? what about an "RTV" around the opening for the coolant flow ?on the copper head gaskets .

 

I dont know about lt1's but felpro makes a head gasket that has an o-ring which requires a grove to be machined into your head. They seal good for the 5oh boys...

Call up felpro and see if they cant get off their butts and start making them for our cars!

Here is a link to a description of one for gen1 sbc.
http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...id=575&pid=710

 

I've ran 25# on ARP bolts and FelPro 1074 gaskets. I didn't blow a gasket but lifted the heads. Obviously it never detonated but I guess the bolts didn't have enough clamping force to keep the heads down. (LT1 heads.)

Anyway, I looked into the loc-wire gaskets but as stated earlier, there isn't an LT1 application and I didn't feel like "re-inventing the wheel" and making the sbc gaskets work on an LT1. I decided to go with the Cometic gaskets and ARP studs. I don't plan on running any more than 25# boost, but I don't want coolant all over my engine bay anymore

MADMAN told me they ran upwards of 30# on the purple D1X car with studs and 1074's and didn't have a problem, but again you have to be careful not to detonate.

O-rings and copper gaskets aren't an option for me because I'd have to drop the motor and pull the manifold/turbos off to retorque the studs..

GTP has my heads again right now for freshening, I hope to back up and running in early April. My goal is bottom 9's with stock (ported) LT1 heads. We'll see what happens

 

I ordered some Cometics this time around. They are 3 layer steel gaskets and can be made in any thickness from .029"-.120".

I hit 21psi but unfortunately had a little too much timing and blew the head gaskets pretty badly. They were stock with stock head bolts. Hopefully I can have everything back together in the next couple of weeks. The cylinder walls are slightly scratched up to so I'm going to replace the rings and possibly 2 pistons

 

What kind of internals does it take to handle such kind of pressure? Would Iron heads help @ all? Can normal forged internals take it? I guess it also depends on the heads & camshaft because 20psi on an OEM LT1 top end is different than 20psi on an SB2.2 based motor....any comments?