Here's the deal,

On this motor I have Stock Internals, Stock Heads, and recently a leaky headgasket. I'm going to be bolting on Hooker LT's, 24lb SVO injectors, FMU, and an intercooled P600B kit. Here's my question. Since I'm pulling the heads to replace the headgaskets, seems logical to me I should put on the beefiest ones applicable. Also since I'm boosting on stock internals, I'd like to run a gasket with a much larger quench thickness in hopes of lowering compression a slight bit, .5 points or more if possible. The motor has high miles, but I'll be running low boost no higher than 6lbs I'm thinking. I'm also shopping around for who I should have my ECU tuned by. Either way, it'll run rich like a pig, have some timing pulled to make sure no detonation occurs. I'm not afraid to have the motor blow, I can afford to have the car down for a while. Just curious what you guys with more experiance in this think I should run for Head Gaskets? Part #'s would be great...Also, will shipping my ECU off to someone be good enough, or should I just have it Dyno Tuned locally?...I'm leaning towards the dyno tune.

Thanks again,



Andrew

 

Go with the Fel Pro wire loc gaskets and ARP head bolts. Ditch the FMU, use 42 lb injectors, and get a dyno tune.

 

Sounds good...one question...when looking at the specs on the Fel Pro Loc Wire gaskets it says "These gaskets have oversized wire rings that lock into receiver grooves which must be machined into the cylinder heads.
Precise machining is critical to the success of this gasket."

If that's the case, I'd like an alternative...After searching Summit, SEC's seem to be pretty attractive...(SCE-011069LT) I can get them in a .093 compressed thickness, only notes are that they require O-rings...I'm looking to order these gaskets A.S.A.P...let me know what you guys think.

Thanks,

 

The heads are going to be off anyway, so take them to a good machine shop to machine the receiver grooves into them. I used this method with my old set up (355/12 psi/500 rwhp/500rwtq) and I never had any problems.

I am using a SCE copper head gasket and had the block o-ringed. Unless you plan on pulling the motor, forget it as it wouldn't be needed for your application.

http://www.scegaskets.com/techtips/engineprep.html


Go with the Fel Pros for your application.

 

ahhh....all makes sense now...alright...Fel Pro's it is...I'll call and price out the machining tomorrow during work...

Thanks for your help...I'm sure I'll be posting again soon as all my parts show up and I begin the installs...

Hmm...I'm having difficulties sourcing a set of these gaskets...Jegs is the only site i've found listing them (375-1045) 400 Race: Loc Wire (steel wire) Bore: 4.180'' Compressed Thickness: .039'. I was going to roll with a standard bore, and was hoping for a Thickness double that...but if these will work, and they don't offer any alternatives, I will use 'em...

Let me know, Thanks

 

If you are having trouble finding them, please feel free to contact my engine builder, Scott at 815-464-9490 and tell him that Mitch sent ya.

 

haha...well I may just do that...I will talk to my machine shop tomorrow, see what they have to say...

Thanks for all the help...

 

Your going to machine the heads for an oring gasket on a stock internal motor??? ARE YOU NUTZ

Here's the way to go: Have stock heads milled flat, go buy some studs(or ARP bolts at your power level), and put on a pair of Fel-Pro 1074 head gaskets. DONE... I've run this combo up to 18psi, and still use it on my twin setup.

 

For your application, I wouldn't go o-ring. Just use the stock felpro replaceme nch on blown applications (preferibly with lower cr)...the quench shockwave breaks up hot spots in the combustion chamber which helps prevent detonation. At your boost level, trying to bandaid cr is pointless...besides, you'll loose hp doing what you suggest. As for fi upgrade and tune, that would be worth spending your time and money on. Running pig rich will cause you to loose hp and could result in ring washout...your tuner can help optimize your setup. good luck.

 

Ordered the 1074's....already have a set of ARP bolts...waiting for headers to arrive in the mail before I do the install...

Thanks for all the input,



Andrew

 

Too bad. You might have wanted to check out Cometic's Fuzion. Or was that Phusion...?

It has a gas ring.

 

What is a gas ring? How does it differ from other methods for sealing? Is it good for high-boost applications?

 

Gas ring is a gas filled alloy ring that expands as it heats up. It is really intended for extreme boost or N20 applications. No extra machine work neededd. But you should a certain finish on head and deck surface.

 

Have personally tried both copper with o ring using first silicone then second time hylomar, then cometics. Did not have a problem with cylinder sealing and if you want a car that leaks oil and coolant (copper) or just coolant (cometic) I highly recommend either .
I learned the hard way use felpro 1074's, if it blows you have other issues not your headgasket.

John