HR vs HKS Head Gaskets - Modern Discussion
05-06-2017, 11:18 AM
#1
HR vs HKS Head Gaskets - Modern Discussion
Hey Guys,
i know there's a bunch of threads on here of "which head gaskets are best" etc. but they all seem to be 2006-2010 unless im just not finding some good modern threads.
either way, im about to start up my build again after last years oil issues replacing every gasket, seal, ring etc in this motor. I had cometic gaskets in there last time from the guy who build the long block that i purchased but i clearly cant reuse those and i do see enough threads of failing cometic to not want to go with them. HKS seems to be the general consensus on whats best (atleast on the old threads) but id like a modern discussion on hr head gaskets and there longivity since surely there's some people out there pushing decent power on them.
My thoughts as of now is the HKS may be better built and have a better chance against head gasket failure, how ever longl that event takes to happens (or happens at all) the HR seems to be better with the coolant passage mod. im thinking that the hks doesn't really do anything beneficial aside from potential long life but the hr will help the engines cooling system everytimes its running, there for until a head gasket failure event does happen, the hr will be better in use and potentially help other components have a better life due to better cooling. so now im looking at how many issues, if at all, anyones heard of with the hr gaskets pushing decent power (600~)
i know there's a bunch of threads on here of "which head gaskets are best" etc. but they all seem to be 2006-2010 unless im just not finding some good modern threads.
either way, im about to start up my build again after last years oil issues replacing every gasket, seal, ring etc in this motor. I had cometic gaskets in there last time from the guy who build the long block that i purchased but i clearly cant reuse those and i do see enough threads of failing cometic to not want to go with them. HKS seems to be the general consensus on whats best (atleast on the old threads) but id like a modern discussion on hr head gaskets and there longivity since surely there's some people out there pushing decent power on them.
My thoughts as of now is the HKS may be better built and have a better chance against head gasket failure, how ever longl that event takes to happens (or happens at all) the HR seems to be better with the coolant passage mod. im thinking that the hks doesn't really do anything beneficial aside from potential long life but the hr will help the engines cooling system everytimes its running, there for until a head gasket failure event does happen, the hr will be better in use and potentially help other components have a better life due to better cooling. so now im looking at how many issues, if at all, anyones heard of with the hr gaskets pushing decent power (600~)
05-07-2017, 04:13 PM
#2
The HKS are nice. But spendy. When I built mine Kyle at import parts pro suggested HR. I remembered his suggestion wrong when I ordered mine and I used cosmetic DE gaskets. Figured it would be fine. L19 headstuds, greddy 18g twins at 21psi last dyno maxed at 640whp. No issues foe me for 7000 miles.
05-09-2017, 09:52 PM
#3
Had a built HR using HR headgasket with L19 @ 95 lb/ft and ended up pushing coolant on open deck with from what I recall at least 4/6 cylinders showing failure head gasket wise.
Now going with RJM block, Cometic (v3?) headgaskets and 625+ to be at 105 lb/ft. Here's to hoping no more HG issues.
Now going with RJM block, Cometic (v3?) headgaskets and 625+ to be at 105 lb/ft. Here's to hoping no more HG issues.
05-10-2017, 03:18 PM
#4
350Z-holic
iTrader: (13)
Assuming you got your head machined before the reinstall?? Are you 100% that it was the head gasket that failed and not something else that appeared to be the HG?
I'm running the HR HG specifically to give my engine/heads a weak spot...if somethings gotta crap-out I want it to be the head gaskets. In reality, no head gasket will save your engine from a bad tune.
I'm running the HR HG specifically to give my engine/heads a weak spot...if somethings gotta crap-out I want it to be the head gaskets. In reality, no head gasket will save your engine from a bad tune.
Last edited by bealljk; 05-10-2017 at 03:21 PM.
05-19-2017, 08:48 AM
#5
HKS is tried and true. Dynosty had their own mimic but less $$$ but don't think they still sell it. I would call them and see what they recommend (and maybe send the business their way if the price is right)! They do not lead customers astray to make a buck.
Last edited by rcdash; 05-19-2017 at 08:49 AM.
05-25-2017, 09:07 AM
#7
Where are people finding HKS head gaskets for VQ35HR for sale?
And yea bealljk; the heads were checked and resurfaced along with the block with a machine shop in Denver at the time. We'll see if this RJM closed deck block is any better as that's the block this go-around. Right now I have Cometic HG's for it, but wanted originally HKS but didn't find them for the HR.
Or are HKS DE head gasket compatible with HR blocks?
And yea bealljk; the heads were checked and resurfaced along with the block with a machine shop in Denver at the time. We'll see if this RJM closed deck block is any better as that's the block this go-around. Right now I have Cometic HG's for it, but wanted originally HKS but didn't find them for the HR.
Or are HKS DE head gasket compatible with HR blocks?
Last edited by Juztin; 05-25-2017 at 09:09 AM.
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05-27-2017, 09:10 AM
#8
350Z-holic
iTrader: (13)
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Conway_160 (05-31-2017)
06-14-2017, 08:02 AM
#14
Registered User
HKS headgaskets have a long standing reputation dating to back before the 350z even came out. So when I did my DE build in 2004 it was a no-brainer, and at the time, the only choice other than stock anyway.
I sold the engine in 2011 or 2012 to a friend of mine. He wanted to freshen up the engine but since the headgaskets were holding so well, he decided to leave well enough alone and only changed out the main and rod bearings through the bottom end without ever taking the heads off. That engine finally let go last summer on the guy he eventually sold it to. That engine made mid 600s to a best of 882rwhp. While we both used it for non stop highway pulls its entire life, he was running it at higher power than I was, and without a billet girdle it eventually took out a bearing. Headgaskets were still sealed. This engine had well over 60,000 miles on it I believe, cannot recall odometer numbers right now.
So I am still really sold on the HKS headgaskets, if I were building another DE, I would strongly consider forgoing the HR coolant mod and sticking with HKS headgaskets. But what I might actually do, is run the Cosworth HR headgaskets and do the HR cooling mod. My old DE was never anything but a street and highway abuse car, so the cooling system never had any trouble and never had the HR mod or the Pathfinder mod or anything, just a Koyo rad otherwise all stock cooling (and an oil cooler).
If its a street only car, I wouldnt hesitate to say that I know from experience the HR mod is not required and the HKS gaskets can provide a positive seal for the life of the engine. But I have never had a VQ track car to say whether the HR cooling mod is a valuable thing to do for that application.
For what its worth, my current VHR build I am doing, I am using Cosworth HR gaskets and ARP CA625+ headstuds. My 2004 DE build was using 1/2" ARP2000 headstuds torqued to 95lb ft for anyone curious.
I sold the engine in 2011 or 2012 to a friend of mine. He wanted to freshen up the engine but since the headgaskets were holding so well, he decided to leave well enough alone and only changed out the main and rod bearings through the bottom end without ever taking the heads off. That engine finally let go last summer on the guy he eventually sold it to. That engine made mid 600s to a best of 882rwhp. While we both used it for non stop highway pulls its entire life, he was running it at higher power than I was, and without a billet girdle it eventually took out a bearing. Headgaskets were still sealed. This engine had well over 60,000 miles on it I believe, cannot recall odometer numbers right now.
So I am still really sold on the HKS headgaskets, if I were building another DE, I would strongly consider forgoing the HR coolant mod and sticking with HKS headgaskets. But what I might actually do, is run the Cosworth HR headgaskets and do the HR cooling mod. My old DE was never anything but a street and highway abuse car, so the cooling system never had any trouble and never had the HR mod or the Pathfinder mod or anything, just a Koyo rad otherwise all stock cooling (and an oil cooler).
If its a street only car, I wouldnt hesitate to say that I know from experience the HR mod is not required and the HKS gaskets can provide a positive seal for the life of the engine. But I have never had a VQ track car to say whether the HR cooling mod is a valuable thing to do for that application.
For what its worth, my current VHR build I am doing, I am using Cosworth HR gaskets and ARP CA625+ headstuds. My 2004 DE build was using 1/2" ARP2000 headstuds torqued to 95lb ft for anyone curious.
Last edited by phunk2; 06-14-2017 at 08:05 AM.