i would like to hear some opinions on running (or not running) a thicker headgasket. was thinking of putting one on my B16 when i get it...

 

I think its lame, I would never do it, and think that a b16a turbo running stock compression is just fine, ---- a mini-me is just as high, if not higher.

Jeff

 

If you are talking about for running more boost - it does work. for my neon the stock headgasket was .48 thickness. the stock compression ratio is 9.6:1 on the dohc. To drop the compression to 8.6:1 a 1.02 thickness was required. with the new gasket I went from 9 psi max boost on stock internals to 15 psi.

due to the differences in combustion chamber shapes and sizes you can't on that formula but I am sure you can find out what to to for the engine you have somewhere out there - fortunatly someone had already done the math for me

one other thing is that when you use the thicker headgasket your timing is advanced - on my motor anyway - so you need to take that out with adjustable cam gears

hope this helps!

Ted

 

ok this is what im not getting. ok you lower your compression and give it more boost.

but isnt like 8.5 with 14psi making 200hp

the same as 9.6 with 10 psi making 200hp

or am i totally wrong?

 

I think u are correct...i was reading something about that on another site...that a higher compression turbo motor will always produce more power than a lower compression turbo motor...with the same amount of boost..

 

thats what i want to find out...

 

I'm talking about stock internals.... #1 my car was 248hp with a t3/t4 at 9 psi - huge intercooler(for a neon) 24x8x3 and it was starting to ping.

with the lower compression I was at at 286hp with no ping - so I could have probably taken it higher but 300hp in a 2500 lb car is not very practical in the snow.

when my head was milled the compression was raised to 10.2:1 but I only gained 5 whp on the dyno. A 1 point Drop is not as drastic as you think.

but that is not the only advantage you can use devices that advance timimg like aftermarket ecu's, chips, or whatever because there is much less heat soak - currently the Phatrides , neon a mid 8sec quarter mile, car has 15:1 compression and is running like 24lbs of boost - but they use race gas and everything internal is forged, and it is all ceramic coated.

for the cost it is a great saftey net.

 

thicker head gasket=less quench=less mechanical octane=less efficiency

 

you guys should read Maximum Boost by corky bell. he states that the lower the compression the more Hp you get per pound of boost. 7.5:1 is ideal for an all out drag car and 8.5:1 for a street car but i've seen people have boosted engines with a compression rate of like 11:1 so either way it will work.

 

i run a greddy 2mm heagasket and it works well...