mmtmatrix

Hello, just wondering if anyone knows of someone is making thin head gaskets for the KA24DE, want tp bump compression and looking at my options: pistons vs. mill head vs. deck block. Anyone know if a thin head gasket is made?

I shearched and cant find of any...

Thanks,
mmtmatrix

mmtmatrix

Anyone know about this:

http://www.cometic.com/

Look here, page 26,

http://www.cometic.com/catalogs/AutoCat04.pdf

They make one for the KA24DE, any idea on how the thickness varies from stock?

Also, I know I cant do too much changing between: head gasket, milling head or decking block due to slack in chain and running pistons into valves....


Any thoughts?
mmtmatrix

mmtmatrix

Anyone? Experiance with cosmetic head gaskets? How it could change compression ratios?

mmtmatrix

orion::S14

Due to the timing chain setup, milling/decking...and even a thinner HG...isn't reccomended.

Look into SOHC pistons for higher compression...it's the CORRECT way to bump compression on your KA.

The 8.6:1 stock SOHC pistons will yeild ~11:1 in your DOHC...just get the same grade piston (1, 2, or 3) and have at it.

- Brian

__________________
www.KA24DEvelopment.com

projectRDM

Brian is correct. I recently replaced the head on a local KA with a 'reman' head the guy bought from AutoZone, it was decked too far and the idler gear would not properly mate with the distributor. Even just a hair difference is all it takes to get timing components out of alignment. I installed another OE head from a parts car and sent it on it's way.

S14DB

Not to mention how it will screw up the quench areas in the head buy milling it.

__________________
Comments should be taken as Opinions not as Statements of Fact

mmtmatrix

So you guys are saying that even a head gasket could change the height too much and mess the timing chain up? What about all the people out there who run thicker head gaskets (turbo) or have milled heads/decked blocks?

Any experience with the cosmetic head gaskets?

I have thought about running the SOHC pistons, but unsure of clearance issues with the valves (1mm over sized with JWT cams). Id just go aftermarket and do it right, and high from the beginning, but cant afford them right now (or in the near future). What do you guys think about the SOHC pistons in the DOHC block, any interference with that head set up?

Any suggestions? I want the car to still be daily drivable (91), but feel like I need to up the compression to see any real gains, especially with the head I have...

Thanks,
mmtmatrix

orion::S14

1) Yes...there is a tolerance, something VERY small...so that a KA head could be milled once to fix a small warpage form overheating...but it's not enought to change compression significantly.

2) They don't.

3) See #1.

The 9.1:1 SOHC pistons have clearance issues...and the 8.6:1 pistons might with your head work and cams. You'l need to visit the machine shop to know for sure.

And higher compression isn't really all it's cracked up to be...a 4% increase in HP is considered good for a 1 point bump.

So if you go to 11:1 (1.5 point bump), you'd be looking at 6% increase in HP...not worth the cost IMO. (i.e. from 160rwhp to 170rwhp...for how much $$$)

You don't have enough displacement to see huge gains from compresison, like the V8 boys do...plus, you're starting with decent static compression to begin with.

IMO, your money would be better spent on dyno tuning a BikiRom or AEM setup to achieve the same results.

- Brian

__________________
www.KA24DEvelopment.com

mmtmatrix

Sorry to bump an oldish post, anyway...

I know people run different than stock head gaskets, it is done, I just don't know how far (different thickness wise) you can get away with. Ill check my FSM to see what the factory says about how much material can be taken off to still be in speck..


I think that SOHC pistons aren't going to happen right now, but I would like to do a head gasket, maybe just a bit thinner than stock...

SO...

Does anyone know what the thickness on the stock head gasket is???

What about a company that makes one thinner than stock???

Thanks,
mmtmatrix