Are gaskets neccasary ??
 

just wondering im sure there is a reason but why is there a need for gaskets? what is the theory behind them? is it like a washer for a nut>?
thanks
Nick

Re:Are gaskets neccasary ??
 

yes gaskets are needed

its hard for metal to metal to be so flat that it won't leak. thats what gasketes are for.

Re:Are gaskets neccasary ??
 

oh right now i get ya, its never gonna be dead flat so the gasket is used for filling the gaps, are thinner gaskets better or worse? I was gonna think about taking my cyliner head off and "shaving" it to lower the compression ratio. Will i need a performance gasket and are the performance ones thinner or thicker?
thanks mate

Re:Are gaskets neccasary ??
 

i wouldn't recommend shaving a gasket. they're already thin as it is.

just buy one that is LARGER to lower your compression

making it thinner would raise your compression cause the compression chamber would be smaller (head closer to the top of the pistons). just like getting flatter pistons or whatever.

Johnny

Re:Are gaskets neccasary ??
 

You can raise your compression ratio by using a thinner gasket or vise versa. I am not sure who make different thickness gaskets though, other than using a copper gasket which you can have custom made to the desired thickness, and o-ring the cylinders too. It all depends on how much pressure it needs to hold.

Re:Are gaskets neccasary ??
 

If you are planning on going turbo, you do not want to shave or cut the head or gaskets, that will raise your compression, which is not good for a turbo setup. Now if you are going all motor, then you can play with cutting the head a little, will raise your comp. and will make the car run better. If you're going turbo you want to add a thicker metal gasket to lower comp, or change your stock pistons and ----.

Re:Are gaskets neccasary ??
 

yeah when i said about shaving i meant the cylinder head not the gasket, tis a bit thin come to think of it. i will be going turbo but only 5-8psi. can i get away without having a new engine management sys for this? i was thinking bout adding NOS after this to bring final figure to around 200bhp. figure's are 130-135bhp at the mo. turbo should add 20-40hp
thanks for ur help
nick

Re:Are gaskets neccasary ??
 

http://www.flatoutperformance.com/dan/MVC-034F.JPG

gaskets = good ;D

(this is what happened when the low temp gasket that was in there burnt out)

Re:Are gaskets neccasary ??
 

mr gasket makes a 1/8 inch copper head gasket ... order it from summit!! :)