Need to replace leaking head gasket and I am wondering what you guys use. OEM? Ebay?
What other gaskets will I need to replace during this repair? Better to get a kit?
Thanks!

Fel-pro mls permatorque is what I use

http://www.maperformance.com/fel-pro-permatorquemls-head-gasket-1153-1-dsm.html

Recommend changing your tbelt, water pump and tensioner while you're at it.

And if you're good with a dremel, the oil port mod on the head to alleviate lifter tick, if you're getting any.

i guess this topic begs the question; what are your hp goals like? mods?

I would also think an oem gasket will be most recommended here...

https://www.rtmracing.com/xcart/home.php?cat=1969

Good old Composite Felpro or Mitsubishi. Tested to 32 psi without any pushhed coolant or leakage.

Instaled with ARPs torqued to 95ft/lbs with some Permatex Copper spray.

Key is in prep and torque sequence.

Ghislain

Thanks for the info guys!
I should have posted...it's a 93 TSI FWD, just stock, not looking to go crazy (yet) as it's now going to be driven by my 16 year old!!

jealous!!!!

wish i had a turbo dsm as my 1st car. lol

stick with oem

I've run 28 psi no issues all season long on a $35 Felpro gasket with ARP studs.

Don't touch a metal gasket unless you want to get both surfaces trued up.

www.mitsubishilinks.com

the fsm for the torque sequence is in this web page iirc.

In this case I would definately recomend a Composite FelPro or the Mitsubishi HG with stock Bolts.

Again; prep is key. I presume this is not your first Cylinder Head Removal and Instalation. Having said that make sure whoever machines the Head gives it a very smooth surface so your fingernail does not wear itself if you run it across the surface.

Ghislain

Because he isn't changing the head or block I think he would be fine with just using a new head gasket and the stock bolts. Just makes sure you clean the surfaces before putting everything back together.

And at least making sure the Cylinder Head is not warp as per FSM Specs.

I would also chase the Treads and blow the holes clean in order to insure a proper torque.

Ghislain

If I remember correctly, the 93s (7 bolts) use torque to yield bolts. This means you will need to buy new head bolts as well. Might want to compare the cost of oem to some arp studs. The arps will be re-usable if you ever need to remove the head again.

TTY Bolts CAN be re-used, as long as they haven't stretched. There is a spec in the FSM for this, but you will need a verner caliper to check.

If they are past their yield point, they cannot be reused.

And one should remind themself that a torque to yeild Bolt is a Fastner to be installed/torqued beyond it's state of elasticity.

In this typical example: Head to Block

What is holding the Head onto the Block is the tension produced by the elasticity of the Fastner rather that the rotational tension created by torquing the Nut or Bolt.

A Fastner that is Torqed to Yeild may never return to it's original state after the tension is released; that is why they should only have "one life". FSM have a "guideline" to go by.

Replacement OE Bolts might not be a much cheaper that good old ARPs making them an interesting replacement Fastner.

ARPs and a well installed Composite Gasket will surpass original instalation at a cost effective dollar value.

Ghislain

Id be putting a set of hood pins with locks so she cant raise thebboost

Lol jay

Just don't use an mbc. Plumb the wg and done. Stock psi is prob 14lbs. Making 210hp. That's PLENTY for a 1st car imo.

That's a good write up ghis, and on the plus side, if later on down the road, you want to turn up the boost, you can feel confident knowing the hg and arp's will handle it.

Kind of like how everyone here preaches doing it right the first time.

if you and your 16 year old are driving it.. id get a electronic boost controller and have it 2stage. shes got plenty of years before shes ready for lots of boost.

Does anyone have any feed back on the cometic mls head gasket, I plan on running one with arp studs to try and push 30 psi with Meth on my car. Do you think it will hold up ok?

You'll have to have both the head and the block decked, but I think most people would say the OEM mls gasket or the Felpro Perma-torqe are better options.

My opinion would be go with an OEM composite gasket with L19's.

I'm running the Cometic with standard ARP's. I'm hitting 39psi, tapering to 34psi by redline with 19 degrees of timing. No issues so far, however, I'm guessing I am at the limit of both.
If you have good prep and don't go too crazy with the timing I think you should be fine at 30psi.

Jamie are you running this on a 2g or 1g, and what type of turbo and other mods, in assuming your using Meth aswell

6 bolt in a 2g. GT3076R, yes with meth.

Oh ok thanks for the info