Ls9 Head Gaskets
I've never claimed to be perfect, I've never claimed I havent blown **** up. Again...stop making **** up.
But if someone is blowing **** up all the time...you can be sure it isnt because they used LS1 gaskets instead of LS9...or projected plugs instead of non projected.
It isnt margin's they need....it's simple tuning knowledge. Dont run too lean, and dont detonate the **** out of it. In fact....never ever let there be detonation even at the mildest onset of it.
Very simple and generic rules that lead to reliable running.
But if someone is blowing **** up all the time...you can be sure it isnt because they used LS1 gaskets instead of LS9...or projected plugs instead of non projected.
It isnt margin's they need....it's simple tuning knowledge. Dont run too lean, and dont detonate the **** out of it. In fact....never ever let there be detonation even at the mildest onset of it.
Very simple and generic rules that lead to reliable running.
You must have read from the book of Rotary. The majority of people on here want margin in their real street cars and DD's, not random crap like "tune good". 
9 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Norn Iron
Good lord you trivialize the crap out of stuff.....only when its convenient to you. We were talking about ways to help prevent damage and you immediately reply that you've done with out that and all you need is "simple tuning knowledge". "Dont detonate"......wow, brilliant. Guess what's 1 way not to do that? Don't run a projected tip plug or too hot of a plug You must have read from the book of Rotary. The majority of people on here want margin in their real street cars and DD's, not random crap like "tune good".
You must have read from the book of Rotary. The majority of people on here want margin in their real street cars and DD's, not random crap like "tune good".But for now lets stick to the one you keep mentioning as so important ? Projected or non.
Couldnt resist
Nobody has literally blown their stuff up and then ran exactly the same setup, tune and all, with non projected plugs and didn't blow it up. That's the same as the low CR vs high CR motor comparison that doesn't exist. But since you mentioned that the heat range is totally separate from the tip being projected or not. 30 seconds of googling shows that's not true. The longer the insulating tip the hotter the plug, the hotter the plug the more chance of detonation. Plenty of discussion over on yellow bullet and even NGK has info on their site stating this. 
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 202
Likes: 5
From: chicago
I have a 6.0l engine and running the ls1 multilayer gasket since 2005 and i'm good up to 25 lbs of boost but after that they start peeing coolant around 30lbs of boost. I put over 50k miles on the engine.
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Teching In
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 5
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From: Kamloops BC
Now gentlemen, play nice. The "secret" thread has some of the best current state info in it that I have read in the last 3 months. No need to harp on trivial things...and yes, running projector tip plugs on a street car with AC making north of 500whp is just asking for trouble...why ask for it.
Jon.
Jon.
I just want to add that it seems that turbo knowledge is ever-changing and that's what leads to the excitement IMO!!!
When I first got into LS turbo, it was understood at the time that about 500-600 RWHP was the limit for SBE's, rod-bolts were an absolute requirement, head-studs and gaskets etc etc. We have all learned in recent years that rod-bolts are unnecessary, SBE's can hold a HELL of alot more power than initially thought, and now, head gaskets and studs may not even be necessary for moderate power levels. Amazing stuff. We also learned that the tune is the single-most important factor in keeping a motor alive. My cam, spring, and head-stud only 120k LQ9 has not even had the heads off and is being subjected to 16-17 psi pulls for several thousand miles on 93 and a whiff of 50/50 water injection. At this point, I don't even think head-studs are necessary. I do believe running the least amount of timing necessary to make the "number" and a somewhat looser converter aid in longevity, especially on 93.
I'm building another Mustang with a LQ4/4l80e, and this engine has 195k miles. Still has 195lbs compression all the way around. I pulled the heads just to change the lifters as I would hate to wipe out a $400.00 cam due to a lifter going south. But I'll probably go with studs and LS9 gaskets b/c they are cheap and the studs are easier from a service stand-point.
Carry-on...
When I first got into LS turbo, it was understood at the time that about 500-600 RWHP was the limit for SBE's, rod-bolts were an absolute requirement, head-studs and gaskets etc etc. We have all learned in recent years that rod-bolts are unnecessary, SBE's can hold a HELL of alot more power than initially thought, and now, head gaskets and studs may not even be necessary for moderate power levels. Amazing stuff. We also learned that the tune is the single-most important factor in keeping a motor alive. My cam, spring, and head-stud only 120k LQ9 has not even had the heads off and is being subjected to 16-17 psi pulls for several thousand miles on 93 and a whiff of 50/50 water injection. At this point, I don't even think head-studs are necessary. I do believe running the least amount of timing necessary to make the "number" and a somewhat looser converter aid in longevity, especially on 93.
I'm building another Mustang with a LQ4/4l80e, and this engine has 195k miles. Still has 195lbs compression all the way around. I pulled the heads just to change the lifters as I would hate to wipe out a $400.00 cam due to a lifter going south. But I'll probably go with studs and LS9 gaskets b/c they are cheap and the studs are easier from a service stand-point.
Carry-on...
I would have never guessed a simple question would spark such a debate. This bickering is worse then a bunch of women together when AUNT FLOW is in town. Anyhow those that tried to help I appreciate it. That said with 10 pounds of boost should I use the LS1 multi layer haskets(correct bore size) or the LS9? I did end up using a weisco 3.905 forged piston.
The ls1s are $38 a set the ls9s are ~ $95+...so more than double... For your setup thats prob the largest issue really.
Proper block and head surface and prep plus proper torque is likely more beneficial in this case and what should be scrutinized.
Proper block and head surface and prep plus proper torque is likely more beneficial in this case and what should be scrutinized.
9 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Norn Iron
Now gentlemen, play nice. The "secret" thread has some of the best current state info in it that I have read in the last 3 months. No need to harp on trivial things...and yes, running projector tip plugs on a street car with AC making north of 500whp is just asking for trouble...why ask for it.
Jon.
Jon.
Oh *****...so all those mile or 1km events I've ran over last few years at over 1k with projected nose plugs on pump+meth was asking for trouble. Nope...no trouble. Maybe it was because I dont have AC though ?
500hp is childs play and most at that level are still running 6's, which is a mile off even contemplating non projected plugs.
Trivial ? Your thoughts on plugs are trivial.
9 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 13,616
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From: Norn Iron
I would have never guessed a simple question would spark such a debate. This bickering is worse then a bunch of women together when AUNT FLOW is in town. Anyhow those that tried to help I appreciate it. That said with 10 pounds of boost should I use the LS1 multi layer haskets(correct bore size) or the LS9? I did end up using a weisco 3.905 forged piston.
But the stock LS1 gasket will easily handle what you're doing...and then double the boost too. There is a price difference...if that matters just stick LS1. If you want correct gasket diameter, just stick with LS1.
If you dont care about either of those and want the LS9's anyway....again no harm in doing so.
Last edited by stevieturbo; Jun 2, 2017 at 04:21 PM.
My LS1 gaskets failed because the clean up cut on my heads was to coarse. My machinist has old equipment for surfacing.
It was easy to see the root cause.
I fixed that, went to LS9 gaskets (alum 5.3) problem solved.
Since you you can certainly buy cold extended tip plugs, I think you guys should study plug design further.
I find that hilarious considering NGKs own website specifically states extended tip plugs by definition are hotter than there non extended tip counter parts and put you closer to the detonation threshold. I've done all the research I care to and came to the conclusion that extended/projected tip plugs aren't for me. I don't go 200mph....but also don't have meth on the car which is a huge advantage. I'll stick with what works for me and everyone can stick with what works for them.
TECH Regular
Joined: Sep 2014
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I find that hilarious considering NGKs own website specifically states extended tip plugs by definition are hotter than there non extended tip counter parts and put you closer to the detonation threshold. I've done all the research I care to and came to the conclusion that extended/projected tip plugs aren't for me. I don't go 200mph....but also don't have meth on the car which is a huge advantage. I'll stick with what works for me and everyone can stick with what works for them.
TECH Regular
Joined: Sep 2014
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I just gave their site a look over and didn't see info like this. You don't happen to have a link, do you? Wouldn't mind reading it in full context.