which ones have you all used .... im getting the s1 block from forged performance and will be installing with stock heads but other than l19 head studs and hks head gaskets .


any suggestions on what other brands are just as good but easier on the wallet. im hoping to push a little over five hundred to the wheels

thanks for looking

 

l19 head studs and hks head gaskets

thats pretty much the ticket

 

HR Headgaskets a little easier on the wallet

 

Like Charles said....l19s and HKS gaskets...

Holding 30psi on my setup.

tom

 

Very good question.

Two popular setups are the ARP L19 head studs/HKS headgaskets (mentioned above) and the HR head bolts/HR headgaskets.

On my last build, I went with the ARP L19 head studs/HKS headgaskets combination. I had no problems.

On this build, I'm leaning toward the HR head bolts/HR headgaskets based on advice both from Jim Wolf and Sam at GTM. I also have seen some information in this forum that placed the HR head bolts in a positive light, though I don't remember the thread.

The HR head bolts are torque-to-yield, which are supposed to allow for proper expansion as the heads thermally expand, thereby minimizing ovalling of the cylinders. The downside to torque-to-yield bolts is that they cannot be re-used. Nonetheless, they are a fraction of the cost of the L19 head studs. Similarly, the HR headgaskets are a fraction of the cost of the HKS headgaskets. In addition, the HR headgaskets allow for a particular cooling modification that is supposed to provide a more optimized coolent flow around the valves. Jim Wolf has documentation on this on his web site.


Now, for those of you already using the HR head bolts/HR headgasket combination, please let us know what boost levels you are running and whether you have had any issues.

 

The L19/HKS combo has a proven record in high horsepower builds. L19 headstuds have proven themselves for years in high power Supra builds too. However, I have yet to see the HR setup prove its longevity in a high power build. The HR setup has thus far been predominantly used in relatively moderate builds in the 500-650whp range. I therefore went with the proven choice and selected the L19/HKS combo for my build. Time will tell if the HR setup will prove as effective for builds of 700-1,000+whp.

 

^+1

 

+2...

 

L19 and Cometic Gaskets.

 

thanks guys for your input on this.

well i am looking to make 500 to 550 so maybe for me the best option is the hr's.... on that note i was talking to local nissan dealer getting prices and they say they have different head gaskets for april 2007 and up oppose to head gaskets from 2006 to april 2007 .... which ones would be the ones to use considering my block will have a 97mm bore?

and they called the head stud kit just simply head bolts it sounds like a dumb question but they confused me.....

 

never mind found jwt site here is the info ttg35fort was talking bout looks good

http://www.jimwolftechnology.com/wol...HEAD_BOLTS.pdf

 

ok you cant use the hr head gskets when you have an .02 overbore because that calls for a 97mm bore on your gasket and the hr is 95.5 and 96mm so which ones to use is still up in the air????????????????

 

On the VQ35DE, a 0.020" overboar is 96mm. Anyway, check with Sam at GTM. He is providing HR headgaskets for my 4.0L shortblock, which will have a 97mm bore. Perhaps he is custom machining the HR headgaskets to the proper size, but I'm not sure.

 

I am using the L19 studs and HR head gaskets. This combo was approved by the mad scientist himself.

 

Interesting thread. Good Luck BLDG... on your build.

 

whats wrong with the stock headgasket !!!

im sure with L19 and stock headgasket ull be fine

 

I believe Mad Scientist (aka Jkenefic, aka Turbo Joe ) has run the entire season (coming up on 1 yr?) at 600+ whp using the HR/HR combo. I think either would probably be fine but as others have said, L19/HKS have the longest track record. At the same time, several folks (include the Mad Scientist, XKR, Alberto, myself, most new Forged builds) have started using Evans NPG+, which I thinks mitigates the possibility for headlift issues even under extreme heat conditions so that may be a contributing factor to the general success all around.

 

Nissan made significant improvements to the HR headgasket (third generation) over the stock DE headgasket (first generation). See, e.g., the link to the Jim Wolf article above.

Since the HR headgasket is inexpensive (probably in the same price range as the stock DE headgasket), is a significantly improved design (e.g., 2 1/2 layer vs 2 layer, 1 mm fire ring, more optimized coolant flow, etc.), I see no reason not to choose the HR headgasket over the first generation DE gasket.

 

2 layer ??? its not 3 layer !!

im talking about the 2005 3 layer its the same as HKS gasket and cosworth

 

Follow this link:

http://www.jimwolftechnology.com/wol...HEAD_BOLTS.pdf

It provides a bunch of the details on each of the 3 generations of VQ35/VQ37 headgaskets, and clarifies why the 3rd generation (i.e. the HR headgasket) is generally considered better than the 1st and 2nd generation headgaskets for FI motors.