Camshafts or Headgasket?

[Tensor187x]

Well, I'm in the market for either one of the two products. Tomei camshafts or an Apexi 86mm/1.1 Metal headgasket. I can't decide on which one to go with for my setup. My stock headgasket nor my stock cams are showing any wear or need to be replaced, so what do you guys think is a better buy? I'ma bit confused as to when it says intake/exhaust camshafts? Could anyone clear this up for me like difference wise? Thanks. I only plan on making around 300whp, MAYBE a tad more but nothing too dramatic.

My setup as followed:

S14 SR w/ stock t28
HKS 555 injectors
z32 MAF
HKS Actuator @ 14psi
FMIC
Walbro 255 fuel pump
z32 Fuel Filter
3" turbo back
Nistuned ECU

Camshafts:
Tomei 143G260120 ProCam Intake Camshaft S14 S15 SR20DET 260 12.00mm (http://www.frsport.com/Tomei-143G260120-ProCam-Intake-Camshaft-S14-S15-SR20DET-260-12-00mm_p_12655.html)

HeadGasket:
Apexi 814-N102 (86mm x 1.1mm) Metal Head Gasket SR20DET S13 S14 S15 (http://www.frsport.com/Apexi-814-N102--86mm-x-1-1mm--Metal-Head-Gasket-SR20DET-S13-S14-S15_p_9425.html)

Thanks for the input.

[bl3ujay07]

head gasket before you blow your stock head gasket.

[Tensor187x]

head gasket before you blow your stock head gasket.

Why would I blow my headgasket?

[racepar1]

Why would I blow my headgasket?

Because you have a somewhat tuned engine with an old ass stock gasket. I'm not saying it definitely will happen, but it definitely is a possibility. IMO the reliability of your engine is 10x more important then making more power. Get the gasket, and some ARP studs.

[johngriff]

I would get a dynotune with the money instead of either or.

[DataXUnknown]

you can't go wrong with getting a headgasket. i would be tempted to get the camshafts more, but get the headgasket. its the smarter thing to buy.

[cotbu]

you can't go wrong with getting a headgasket. i would be tempted to get the camshafts more, but get the headgasket. its the smarter thing to buy.
No!......... The smartest thing to do and is,.... to get tuned! period.
I would get a dynotune with the money instead of either or.
If, it ain't broke, don't break it!

[Tensor187x]

No!......... The smartest thing to do and is,.... to get tuned! period.

If, it ain't broke, don't break it!

I'm not going to get my car tuned if i plan to keep upgrading....I think that's the dumbest thing period.

Once i get my headgasket THEN I'll tune my car. My ECU is chipped with Nistune.

[cotbu]

NO this is......"I'm not going to get my car tuned if i plan to keep upgrading..."
It seems your tune already sucks ass, if you can't pull 300hp out of that setup.
S14 SR w/ stock t28
HKS 555 injectors
z32 MAF
HKS Actuator @ 14psi 16psi
FMIC
Walbro 255 fuel pump
z32 Fuel Filter
3" turbo back
Nistuned ECU
this is a 300hp setup... in real life 290hp, but that headgasket that you want to buy isn't going to help you make power, the tune will.

LMAOF.... nistune that's that automatic tuning thingamagig right? ;)
Forget all that I typed and answer this one question...
Why do you need a headgasket?
If, you can answer that without looking it up on the interwebs, then you most definitely need one.

You should have asked the members this....
What size headgasket do I need ? what bore, thickness etc.? what brand should i get? Do I need any machining? Are ARP studs worth the money? Are there alternatives? How do I set the engine to TDC?

[racepar1]

Why does he need more power? The engine seems to be running perfectly fine and reliably. IMO replacing the headgasket and ARP studs is the smartest thing you can do before you turn up the boost and go for more power. More power = more cylinder pressure = more strain on the stock headgasket.

[johngriff]

.......smartest thing you can do before you turn up the boost and go for more power. More power = more cylinder pressure = more strain on the stock headgasket.

Really? Seriously...? The stock head gasket is fine up and through allot of boost. The amount of boost you run really is no issue. It is if you detonate or not, and if you detonate at a high boost level. That is why I was suggesting a dyno tune, to tune the ignition map out for peak tq vs no detonation. I thought Nistune was that usb tunable ecm add on? Or am I just getting confused, there are too many ecm hacks floating around I guess.

But yeah, idk what you are speaking to about more cylinder pressure blowing the stock head gasket. Or needing ARP studs either. That is completely unnecessary.

To the OP.

Headgasket: Apexi or PE, make sure you get stock bore (86.5mm). Head gasket is allot of work, you will need to get the head re-machined, preferably get a valve job, re shim the cylinder head, upgrade valve springs and retainers, and do the cams. Its a big job to be done right, not just a piece of paper you slip in and out.

Cams: HKS 264 step 2. Good, fun, bolt in cams.