So a year ago when i started my turbo project, everybody said 3mm head gaskets were needed for teh 400-450whp range. Now I see a lot of cars not using them....

What a HUGE hassles that was for me......

 

Are you planning on spending 15 bucks a gallon for race gas?

If not get a headgasket to run 12-15+ psi

 

You don't need a headgasket. I tried to put an end to this argument a while ago https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...&#entry15523722

I'm going to bring that topic back up. Hopefully we'll get this definitely solved without too much headbashing.

 

If you are going to run alot of boost than use a 3mm headgasket. People will tell you Its all in the tune but win running high compression with boost you allways run a risk of blowing somthing up. your window for error gets smaller the higher the compression. do a search on google on high horsepower builds and you will see that 9 times out 10 they use lower compression on boosted apps.

 

3mm headgaskets have their own issues, but I am not necessarily saying stock compression is the way to go either.

Pick one: high compression entails a smaller tuning window, or having to replace the 3mm headgasket every 15-25k miles, with potential for engine damage if blown headgasket isn't caught in time.

I am not saying one method is better than the other, just pick your poison

IMHO, there is a time and place for stock compression, but it's gotten quite out of hand with the amount of people choosing to use high compression over what is really a tried and true method of lowering compression..

 

You can run up to 12psi with out a hg. You can run close to 14'ish psi with out a HG and meth/race gas. I think its best to use the HG over that amount of boost. Different kits, turbos, tuners will have and effect on this. So it all depends on your power goals, set up and your and the tuners comforts.

So consider re-wording your question with the kit your going to use, all the add on conponents (turbo, ehaust,ems,ect) and your hp goals. Then people will be better able to help.

 

As I said, you can run 20+psi with the stock headgasket, the question is are you willing to spend 15 bucks a gallon on race gas to do so -- that's the dark side to running stock headgasket that most don't mention.

 

Every has different preferences

Ask your tuner.

 

couple years ago, i would see:

stock HG up to 350ishwhp
3mm HG 350-400+
built motor 500+

NOW, honestly, its how competent the tuner is and how good the gas you get is

stock HG up to 500 pump with good tune
500+ built motor.

i have read a lot of problems wiht the 3mm HG. i dont make anything near enough power to worry, but if i made real power, i wouldnt blink an eye at up to 500whp stock HG pump gas. at least two cars have made over 600 on stock HG race gas. and theres been a lot of people in the last year or so making 400+ on stock HG pump gas.

in the end, do what you feel comfortable with, becuase anyone hear will give advice, but if the advice puts you in a pickle, the advisor aint gonna help you get outa it.

read up, and make a decision you feel good with.

 

Running a lovefab mini-me manifold with gt35r. get get 420+ whp.....