I have recently blown my stock head gasket and I want to stay NA for the moment so I figured since I had to replace it I might as well upgrade the gasket and raise the compression. I tried to search for the answer but couldn't find it so please don't think I'm being a "post whore" Will I actually see a difference in the way my car runs and is this metal head gasket worth it on a motor that has 107K? Also any suggestions on what company I should but one from and what thickness? Thanks guys.

Originally posted by SR20RACER
I have recently blown my stock head gasket and I want to stay NA for the moment so I figured since I had to replace it I might as well upgrade the gasket and raise the compression. I tried to search for the answer but couldn't find it so please don't think I'm being a "post whore" Will I actually see a difference in the way my car runs and is this metal head gasket worth it on a motor that has 107K? Also any suggestions on what company I should but one from and what thickness? Thanks guys.

Don't waste your money.

1) You don't need a metal clad gasket - the stop one is very good and is graphite over a metal tang

2) Most of the metal gaskets will decrease your CR, not increase it.

3) The metal clad gaskets have sealing issues.

On my 11:1 engine I didn't consider anything but a genuine Nissan head gasket. Hell, they seem to be good up to about 18-20 psi in turbo engines.

Maybe I am mistaken but I thought that if you have a thicker head gasket it would lower your compession which is good for turbo's and a thinner gasket will raise your compression which is what you want for N/A.

Originally posted by SR20RACER
Maybe I am mistaken but I thought that if you have a thicker head gasket it would lower your compession which is good for turbo's and a thinner gasket will raise your compression which is what you want for N/A.

You are correct. But all the metal clad gaskets are as thick as or thicker than the stock head gasket.

So if I want to stay N/A and raise the compression a stock gasket would not do this, so what mm and brand should I go with?

Originally posted by SR20RACER
So if I want to stay N/A and raise the compression a stock gasket would not do this, so what mm and brand should I go with?

I don't know of any gasket available that will make any appreciable difference.

Also, when you change the gasket thickness you change your timing of the cams. This is not the right way to try and change your compression.

copper head gaskets tend to leak coolant. dont bother, especially if your car is near stock. OEM Nissan parts are usually reasonably priced and good in quality. dont get the gasket from a regular parts store.

save a $150 and buy a stock gasket.if you dont have a good reason for it dont buy it, its a waste of $. except for bragging that you have a fancy gasket you dont need.

So if I was to buy a thinner metal gasket while I am replacing it this will do nothing besides waste money right? I just have a friend that is here from Japan and he said he read an article in a Japanese magazine about the Tomei gasket that will help rasie your compression so I thought I would try it.