Head Gaskets Vs Price

[Gameboy]

Hmm... I have almost got all the parts I need for my build. One thing that ive been searching for ages for is a head gasket. What is everyone's opinion on high performance gaskets vs standard OEM ones? Anyone running big power with standard ones?

I want to save some $$$ but if its crucial to buy a Cometic or something ill just do that instead.

[Shoota_77]

Get a Cometic multi layer steel. They have multiple thickness options and are very well priced. You should get one around the $200-$250 mark.

[Ben C34]

What do you consider big power? There's plenty of guys on the unopened 300 kw club. personally I'm using a stock One because I would prefer that to be the weak link, if that makes sense.

[StevenCJR31]

^^ Makes perfect sense, better for the weakest link to break (easy/cheap fix) rather than pistons / rings etc (not so cheap)

[Shoota_77]

I don't see the connection??

Just because your head gasket blows doesn't mean it was about to pop a piston or smash the rings instead.

[R34GTFOUR]

Most of the time head gaskets let go because of detonation.. so by having that as the weakest link then it could potentially save the piston/rings which would be next in line if something went wrong.

Kind of like running street tyres vs slicks at the track. The street tyres are the fusible link, they will only take so much force before they just start baking. If you run slicks and then all of a sudden your shafts/diff/clutch need to be able to take a whole lot more force otherwise they go – if that makes sense.

With that said, I bought a Cometic 3 layer

Edited September 12, 2013 by R34GTFOUR

[Gameboy]

I am hoping for around 450 - 500rwhp. I sent an email to spool imports regarding the shipping price for a cometic gasket. Prices on Ebay seem a little expensive and plus I dont know if they are genuine or not.

Edited September 12, 2013 by Gameboy

[SkudR33]

I am hoping for around 450 - 500rwhp. I sent an email to spool imports regarding the shipping price for a cometic gasket. Prices on Ebay seem a little expensive and plus I dont know if they are genuine or not.

I bought a cometic mls head gasket from Fabre Australia in Lakemba. I paid $300 for it but they were the only supplier in Australia to have a 86mm cylinder bore head gasket with 51thou thickness.

[Gameboy]

I bought a cometic mls head gasket from Fabre Australia in Lakemba. I paid $300 for it but they were the only supplier in Australia to have a 86mm cylinder bore head gasket with 51thou thickness.

I just bought the same one from Spool Imports for $250 including shipping

[SkudR33]

I just bought the same one from Spool Imports for $250 including shipping

That's so cheap!

[urtwhistle]

I dunno 350Rwkw and a stock gasket here.

[luke gtr]

have heard of 400kw+ on standard.

I have cometic mls.

mls are good if you think you may need to pull the head off again.

[Shoota_77]

It's a GT-R, you definitely will have to take the head off again...

[Gameboy]

have heard of 400kw+ on standard.

I have cometic mls.

mls are good if you think you may need to pull the head off again.

Can you re use them?

[Ben C34]

Can you re use them?

Yep, that's why he made that comment.

[KiwiRS4T]

I bought a second hand Tomei (from a trusted known source) for about the price of a stock gasket - and yes they can be reused - my head has been off again since the initial build.

[luke gtr]

Can you re use them?

I took it off my 26 and put it on my 30.

1300ks, no problems yet *touch wood*

[SilverECR33]

use the stocker. its fine for power even higher than that.

I used a rb26 oem one the first time, now im using a cometic metal multi layer. I have to say I liked the stocker better the difference in quench was noticable. it really depends on how much boost you plan to run and power figure.. for your goal.. it wont matter unless, as others have said, you want to save some $$$ if you need to pull the head off

[Shoota_77]

Can you please explain what you mean by the "difference in the quench was noticeable"?

Providing you're using the same thickness gaskets, quench measurements should not be changed. You must be good if you can feel a quench difference!

use the stocker. its fine for power even higher than that.

I used a rb26 oem one the first time, now im using a cometic metal multi layer. I have to say I liked the stocker better the difference in quench was noticable. it really depends on how much boost you plan to run and power figure.. for your goal.. it wont matter unless, as others have said, you want to save some $$$ if you need to pull the head off

[France]

I am hoping for around 450 - 500rwhp. I sent an email to spool imports regarding the shipping price for a cometic gasket. Prices on Ebay seem a little expensive and plus I dont know if they are genuine or not.

I am making that sort of power on a stock head gasket

Edited September 26, 2013 by France