Thread: How much power can a headgaskets take?

Just wondering how much horsepower a Oem de & Ve headgasket can take before they start to become a risk for a blown engine.

more than you need to worry about. Id be more worried about the stock head bolts lifting.

I never heard about that issue.

Stock headbolts will stretch faster than you can damage a headgasket. Headgaskets blow partially because the head lifts allowing them to be directly affected by pressure during the combustion cycle.

This is why its recomended that you replace your headbolts/studs when you take your head off anytime. They stretch and then your headgasket burns up.

I ran 2.0bar with the ve metal gasket from greg v without issues.

bingo.

yep, headbolts will give before the gasket if done right. Just ask JP, with his bone stock ve made upper 500whp on stock motor before the head finally started to lift causing the gasket to blow out.

Get a good set of headstuds and metal gasket. Install it properly and happy boosting.

Ok I guess the ve gasket is pretty dam stout.....how about the good ol sr20 Oem paper gaskets.

See above. I don't care if you run paper towels. What matters is the strength of the headbolts.