I am still toying with the idea of getting those extra 10PS that they've got in Japan. I had a word with my dealer today and he seemed enthusiastic enough.

Anyway, the route to this is, I think, a JDM head gasket. The problem is that to get to the head gasket you need to discard intake and exhaust gaskets as well.

My question is:

Is the Mugen headgasket (I mean, exhaust gasket) that came with the Mugen header the same as stock? Or do I need a gasket from Mugen?

I think this mod will run about 300 dollars in workmanship and 150 dollars in parts. Considering other options, these would be the cheapest 10PS you could get without going blown.

...and by the way, if any japanese forum member (or anyone else, for that matter) wants to help me out with acquiring a japanese engine gasket kit please contact me offline.


[This message has been edited by Luis (edited December 21, 2000).]

 

I think I follow you. The Mugen header comes with a gasket for the header! It looks exactly like the factory one.

 

Since the exhaust gasket is metal you could use it again with no problems. Exactly the same as stock. The intake gasket is cheap.

Are you sure you can just drop the new head gasket without a change in the ECU and gasoline octane?

 

interesting... my dealer said that once off it's out.

It's probable that the japanese ECU has different parameters. I doubt we'll ever know. However, people have been increasing CR for ages without a need to reprogram fuel maps and timing with good results.

I am not saying that these cannot be optimised, but I doubt it will make matters worse. I can always get a JDM, or spoon or mugen ECU if results are disappointing.

As for octane levels, 98RON is generally available in my country. I suspect that this detune of the ROW engine is a result of many countries having only 95RON available.

More evidence to support my case
There are many JDM gray imports from Japan in the UK, and I have heard no dramas about it.

I have used 95RON in my car, which supposedly requires 98RON minimum, with no ill effects when I was in Italy.

I believe there is some safety margin. And the difference between our best fuel and japanese pump fuel cannot be that great (ok, wishful thinking).

 

Are you talking about two different gaskets?

The head gasket is out when off

But the header gasket should be ok to use again. . .

Why would a header gasket change power output?

The head gasket controles the compression ratio, and thus power as long as other stuff is changed to compensate. Possibly different mapping and cam profiles??

Would the Jap. Spec cars be simply that different as to just be a head gasket?
And to change that you must take the head off the engine, right?

I am confused because you said that a head gasket was included with the mugen headers?!
Why would a head gasket be touched at all when changing headers?

 

ooops. Sorry. I meant exhaust gasket. Dealer says, when off, out! The fact that Mugen ships one with the headers give credence to this opinion. Assuming they are the same, of course!

 

"Dealer says, when off, out?" Huh?