Best head gaskets for NA under 400 hp
10-02-2006, 02:06 PM
#1
Best head gaskets for NA under 400 hp Suggestions?
Stock shortblock, do I want 4.040 or 4.100?
The MLS ones look great, but kinda pricey. Flatout and Mr Gasket both make them.
Any reason to upgrade from the basic ones that come in the FelPro complete engine gasket kit? They are the grafoil ones, no embossed ports or anything.
Copper, or is that just a cute pita?
Stock shortblock, do I want 4.040 or 4.100?
The MLS ones look great, but kinda pricey. Flatout and Mr Gasket both make them.
Any reason to upgrade from the basic ones that come in the FelPro complete engine gasket kit? They are the grafoil ones, no embossed ports or anything.
Copper, or is that just a cute pita?
10-02-2006, 02:21 PM
#2
I just use stock GM Impala SS/Caprice gaskets on mine. I just call the GM dealer and ask for a set of head gaskets for a 1996 Impala SS. If your pistons are at least .004" in the hole, that is what I would use. Mine are .003" down, and have touched a couple of places. If your block has not been decked, you should be OK. If it has been decked, you nead to measure it.
Good luck, Ed
Good luck, Ed
10-02-2006, 05:40 PM
#5
On a stock shortblock looking for 400rwhp NA you obviously want to bump compression and improve quench the best option I know of that fits that description is the Mr. Gasket 5716 .026 4.100-4.110 this is what I am using. They are dirt cheap too $35 for the pair. The b-body gasket would be my second choice.
On a zero decked block the Felpros can be a good choice but otherwise it is ignorance that causes folks to recommend them, merv here is a PRIME example of this.
For gasketrs overall I recommend the Felpro "conversion gasket" set $51 from Advance Auto covers timing cover oil pan and rear main, oil filter adapter and waterpump, The Mr. Gasket head gaskets I already covered, and I prefer the Victor Rienz intake gaskets over the Felpro, they cost more though, the Felpro kit comes with extras like injector o-rings, EGR and TB gaskets but I still like the embossed Victor gaskets over the Felpro graphite. This ends up being about $105-110 for everything but header gaskets I am still trying to find ones I like on those just put on Earl's pressure Masters, the header to head gaskets seem promissing but not the collectors.
I know this is a lot more than you asked for but I have been through this a few times and you are going to need it all for the project anyway.
On a zero decked block the Felpros can be a good choice but otherwise it is ignorance that causes folks to recommend them, merv here is a PRIME example of this.
For gasketrs overall I recommend the Felpro "conversion gasket" set $51 from Advance Auto covers timing cover oil pan and rear main, oil filter adapter and waterpump, The Mr. Gasket head gaskets I already covered, and I prefer the Victor Rienz intake gaskets over the Felpro, they cost more though, the Felpro kit comes with extras like injector o-rings, EGR and TB gaskets but I still like the embossed Victor gaskets over the Felpro graphite. This ends up being about $105-110 for everything but header gaskets I am still trying to find ones I like on those just put on Earl's pressure Masters, the header to head gaskets seem promissing but not the collectors.
I know this is a lot more than you asked for but I have been through this a few times and you are going to need it all for the project anyway.
10-02-2006, 10:36 PM
#6
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Dwayne, you have a link for these Victor Rienz intake gaskets? Im very pleased with my felpro printo seals but if there's something better out there, wouldnt mind looking into them 
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10-13-2006, 09:00 PM
#8
Well, I went with the Mr Gasket 5716. I'll like the compression bump with my cam, but hope they seal; some of the coating came off on the plastic they were sealed into. I may stick with the iron-head version from Felpro next time, because the 1074s that were on the engine look almost as good after 60k miles as the Mr Gaskets did new out of the package....
