Cometic Head Gaskets Good Or Bad

[MJTru]

Hi guys. I was wondering if anyone have experienced failure with cometic head gaskets i have used them for years and sad to say every head i pull off thats been placed under high amounts of boost. Seems to fail at the main sealing ring. Like what the hell im now catching on to this. I think it has to do with a shape edge to clean of a cut i guess. The older composite gaskets never show these kinds of failure. I did a 2jz motor some time back and it had an apexi gasket i notice it was MLS gasket but on the inside of the main sealing ring it had like a edge that wrapped around the shape cuts of the MLS gaskets. Like the old composite types. Think it has to do with hot spots like heating up a sharp knife and the thin parts gets red first and fails. Or is this just a crapy / brand gasket. What do you guys use. Thanks in advance.

[admS15]

I had one on my sr20 with ARP 2000 studs. Lasted about 5 years and then started leaking combustion gasses into the water jackets in several places when on track. Wouldn't use again although 5 years service was reasonable I suppose.

[KiwiRS4T]

I used a Tomei metal gasket. They are more expensive to buy but can be safely reused. I bought mine second hand and have had the head off and on twice since the original assembly.

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

SR20DET ones have many issues, many just go Tomei ones.

However not sure if that applies to RB motors.

[admS15]

SR20DET ones have many issues, many just go Tomei ones.

However not sure if that applies to RB motors.

I was recommended the tomei and nitto as the 2 top choices for sr20. I ended up going with the nitto coz was in stock.

[GTRPSI]

Cometic have not such a good name when used on a few different makes of engines.

I know they are prone to failure on S2000 engines, especially if adding boost to them, everyone was using either OEM (factory is a MLS Gasket) or any other aftermarket MLS brand.

There are thread after threads about Cometic failing on those engines, especially if using ARP bolts, the only ones that have not failed have had the rocker covers removed and retorqued every 5000Km......

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

Only cometic thing on my car and other cars I work on are exhaust manifold gaskets lol.

Everything else is Tomei.

Ironic I own a RB but know more about SRs

[mico]

My engine used to breathe over 1 litre of water out the overflow. Now with the tomei it's more like 250ml. The cometic when removed was in perfect condition tho. Strange but could only be hg.

[PLYNX]

Old school and went copper head gasket and O-ringed block / head with quality head studs ! Never had an issue.

[89CAL]

My Cometic has been fine so far. 27psi of boost now, previously ran 23psi and engine has been on the go for nearly 3 years