High Performance Head gasket Options?

[killinprixs]

I know i can get the MLS Cometic SS 3 layer gaskets...  what else is out there for this motor?

[killinprixs]

is it really that dead here??   wow

[TurboGTU]

Copper head gaskets with a o-ring block . There's some metioning here somewhere. Curtis Walkier AKA TurboZ24 had that done.

[killinprixs]

thanks, i was looking at going that route... ive decided to just use felpro gaskets and Arp headstuds.   I only blew it being careless... the boost gauge looked like the clock in alice n wonderland....  30+ psi spikes will do this with stock head bolts..  It was worth it though.... E85 switch coming next.   :icon_wink:

[TurboGTU]

DAMM ! But also I just remembered about the felpro 1029 copper core gasket. THere is some talk about it here http://www.w-body.com/showthread.php/10357-The-Best-Headgaskets-for-the-TGP-s....?s=715a44143d6800823ab769a784f59e0c

I found it on autozone under a 89 chevy beretta 2.8.  You can use the spacer shims if you worry about thickness. Felpro spacer shim gasket 8699SP-1

BOth the 2.8 and 3.1 have the same bore so its okay.

[killinprixs]

Jud settin em straight in 2008...   exactly what i was lookin for.  Gonna see if i can find a set...

[killinprixs]

so is it worth the 1029 or just use felpro?  The 1029 is thinner i believe by .020" , not sure if its going to make a big enough difference.   The car is going to run 20+ psi all day on 93,  knock is still going to  pose a threat untill i switch to e85.  so i want to make the right decision here.

GTU, u are running the 1029 , do you have a spacer? How much boost do you run?

[TurboGTU]

The 1029 is worth it after you get your tune right on. Remeber that the head gasket acts like a fuse link. When detonation sets, somethings got to give. Prefer the head gasket than the pistons, after getting the tune right, get the 1029. I wouldn't worry about it being thinner, just watch the knock counts when tunning.

Connect a spare boost gauge to the T off the turbo water pipe and watch to see if your head gasket is starting to give out. Under boost you will see the pressure build up quick to the radiator cap bleed pressure. This is helpful when tunning as to not build air pockets in the heads and have hot spots that will set off detonation. Don't forget to bleed the snot out of the cooling system.

A slight upgrade to stock but not as strong as the 1029 is the Felpro 513SD But just watch the tune.

I ran the regular replacement gaskets as my tires and trans couldn't take more than 12psi from the larger turbo. Though I will run the 1029 on the TGP when my son gets out to collage  :laugh:

[killinprixs]

Thanks for the great info!   

[Shifter23]

I agree I was wondering about this too.