Choosing head gasket for my KA-T - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

kylexxkyle · 08-22-2014, 06:50 PM

This is my first engine build and I'm in a little over my head but I'm learning as i go. I am having trouble picking the right HG. I am building a KA-T and have super tech pistons 10.5:1 with eagle rods, arp studs, fully built head and got the head decked. I don't know exactly how much they decked the head but it was not extreme. I am planning on shooting for around 400 hp and have been looking at metal head gaskets. Help would be appreciated.

Chris28 · 08-23-2014, 07:10 PM

Can't go wrong with Cosworth.

rbs14kouki · 08-23-2014, 07:23 PM

Cosworth is always a good choice

On my friend s14 ka-t with 390whp 410trq
We run a stock head gasket with o-rings in the block ... allmost two year of dayli driving and drifting nights !!! Still going strong

kylexxkyle · 08-23-2014, 08:33 PM

But as far as thickness would you recommend going thicker than stock with a shaved head and 10.5:1 compression pistons?

rbs14kouki · 08-23-2014, 09:13 PM

Just go thicker / safer and you will never have to look back

beavis360 · 08-25-2014, 07:03 PM

+1 for Cosworth HG but the block and head should be confirmed flat by the machine shop.

There are plenty of people running the felpro for under 400hp goals.

With that said, a turbo application at 10.5 is going to be a harsher environment in the chamber, people usually drop compression for turbo. The thicker HG will knock off a bit of compression which might be desired.

I've only heard of people running 10.5 pistons on e85 engines, is that what you'll be running?

waxball88 · 08-25-2014, 07:22 PM

Felpro, 3 years, 20psi, just dynod 400whp
Current new build is getting a cosworth

XMcEvilson · 08-25-2014, 10:35 PM

you got wrong compression ratio pistons for your goals

Sleepiedaze · 08-27-2014, 01:55 PM

running 10 pds of boost on a KA with OEM gaskets. tryed cosworth and they failed, did the cosmic aluminum crap and that failed. OEM all the way.

waxball88 · 08-27-2014, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleepiedaze

running 10 pds of boost on a KA with OEM gaskets. tryed cosworth and they failed, did the cosmic aluminum crap and that failed. OEM all the way.

Then the issue was not with the parts it was with you either cheating out on machining. Or installing incorrectly

Razi · 08-27-2014, 08:46 PM

Probably had a surface that wasn't smooth enough for a metal gasket.
Cosworth will always lap the block and head until it becomes incredibly smooth.

Sleepiedaze · 08-28-2014, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waxball88

Then the issue was not with the parts it was with you either cheating out on machining. Or installing incorrectly

been building motors since i was 17 so ehh. just telling you from personal experience.

Razi · 08-28-2014, 04:11 PM

Here's a good article on lapping engines written by Eric Hsu, a man who's worked at Cosworth for many years:

http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticl...eparation.aspx

BoostSlideWayz · 08-30-2014, 09:33 PM

Im personally on a ka24e i built. Arais pistons, eagle rods, lots of machine work including having my cyls bored just slightly beyond stock. Making it somewhere in the 2.4/.5 basically 2.5 and i've been running the stock head gasket for years. I peak around 16 psi before fuel cut. Never had to change it since i built the engine and never had any steam issues besides the usual warm up in cold weather type steam.

Car has been reliable and running strong.

Stock head gaskets usually are very durable. But then again with 400+ hp youll probably want an upgraded multi layer steel head gasket.

Also, are you planning on running E85 with that compression ratio ? If you plan on unleaded fuel ( pump gas ) your going to blow through just about any upgraded head gasket you buy.

08-22-2014, 06:50 PM	#1
kylexxkyle Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Simspsonville SC Posts: 2 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Choosing head gasket for my KA-T This is my first engine build and I'm in a little over my head but I'm learning as i go. I am having trouble picking the right HG. I am building a KA-T and have super tech pistons 10.5:1 with eagle rods, arp studs, fully built head and got the head decked. I don't know exactly how much they decked the head but it was not extreme. I am planning on shooting for around 400 hp and have been looking at metal head gaskets. Help would be appreciated.

08-23-2014, 07:23 PM	#3
rbs14kouki Zilvia Addict Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Montreal , Canada Age: 35 Posts: 817 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Cosworth is always a good choice On my friend s14 ka-t with 390whp 410trq We run a stock head gasket with o-rings in the block ... allmost two year of dayli driving and drifting nights !!! Still going strong __________________ AV FABRICATION Built thread sr20vet s14 http://zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=535574

08-23-2014, 09:13 PM	#5
rbs14kouki Zilvia Addict Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Montreal , Canada Age: 35 Posts: 817 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Just go thicker / safer and you will never have to look back __________________ AV FABRICATION Built thread sr20vet s14 http://zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=535574

08-30-2014, 09:33 PM	#14
BoostSlideWayz Nissanaholic! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Lebec Age: 32 Posts: 1,686 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Im personally on a ka24e i built. Arais pistons, eagle rods, lots of machine work including having my cyls bored just slightly beyond stock. Making it somewhere in the 2.4/.5 basically 2.5 and i've been running the stock head gasket for years. I peak around 16 psi before fuel cut. Never had to change it since i built the engine and never had any steam issues besides the usual warm up in cold weather type steam. Car has been reliable and running strong. Stock head gaskets usually are very durable. But then again with 400+ hp youll probably want an upgraded multi layer steel head gasket. Also, are you planning on running E85 with that compression ratio ? If you plan on unleaded fuel ( pump gas ) your going to blow through just about any upgraded head gasket you buy. __________________ 1994 toyota supra...... n-a D= 1992 nissan 240sx KA24E-T fully Built =D

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08-23-2014, 07:10 PM	#2
Chris28 Zilvia Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: 757/919 Age: 31 Posts: 196 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Can't go wrong with Cosworth.

08-23-2014, 08:33 PM	#4
kylexxkyle Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Simspsonville SC Posts: 2 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	But as far as thickness would you recommend going thicker than stock with a shaved head and 10.5:1 compression pistons?

08-25-2014, 07:03 PM	#6
beavis360 Zilvia Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Delaware Posts: 186 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	+1 for Cosworth HG but the block and head should be confirmed flat by the machine shop. There are plenty of people running the felpro for under 400hp goals. With that said, a turbo application at 10.5 is going to be a harsher environment in the chamber, people usually drop compression for turbo. The thicker HG will knock off a bit of compression which might be desired. I've only heard of people running 10.5 pistons on e85 engines, is that what you'll be running?

08-25-2014, 07:22 PM	#7
waxball88 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gainesville Posts: 1,061 Trader Rating: (9) Feedback Score: 9 reviews	Felpro, 3 years, 20psi, just dynod 400whp Current new build is getting a cosworth

08-25-2014, 10:35 PM	#8
XMcEvilson Zilvia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 34 Posts: 207 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	you got wrong compression ratio pistons for your goals

08-27-2014, 01:55 PM	#9
Sleepiedaze Zilvia Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: 619 Age: 39 Posts: 189 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	running 10 pds of boost on a KA with OEM gaskets. tryed cosworth and they failed, did the cosmic aluminum crap and that failed. OEM all the way.

08-27-2014, 08:46 PM	#11
Razi Zilvia Addict Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Corona Posts: 630 Trader Rating: (12) Feedback Score: 12 reviews	Probably had a surface that wasn't smooth enough for a metal gasket. Cosworth will always lap the block and head until it becomes incredibly smooth.

08-28-2014, 04:11 PM	#13
Razi Zilvia Addict Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Corona Posts: 630 Trader Rating: (12) Feedback Score: 12 reviews	Here's a good article on lapping engines written by Eric Hsu, a man who's worked at Cosworth for many years: http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticl...eparation.aspx