im such a noob at this, u need to get a thicker head gasket to lower to compression ratio when turbo'ing right?

this is what i read from superstreet turbo issue.

a way to lower compression is to either get low comp piston or thicker headgasket.

my question is can you theoretically boost safer levels with stock pistons but a thicker hg? are you dropping compression then but how come most 2gnters dont do this.

well all I know if that if u buy a Nissan sr20 silvia motor that didnt have a turbo all u need to do is add a thicker head gasket and its exactly the same as the stock turbo one.

Installing a thicker head gasket will lower the compression, but our internals are not forged.....so I'm not sure if you'd be able to run any more boost. Our stock pistons do not like anything above 8-9psi :-(

Most people don't use thicker headsgaskets because they tend to blow out easier. As well, our stock rods are only good to about 300 wheel HP under *perfect* tuning - otherwise they'll bend and break. So if you lower compression on stock internals to run more boost, you'll probably just end up breaking something else: the oversized headgasket, a rod, or a ringland. it's more effective for power production to just rebuild using stronger parts.

>Most people don't use thicker headsgaskets because they tend
>to blow out easier. As well, our stock rods are only good to
>about 300 wheel HP under *perfect* tuning - otherwise they'll
>bend and break. So if you lower compression on stock
>internals to run more boost, you'll probably just end up
>breaking something else: the oversized headgasket, a rod, or a
>ringland. it's more effective for power production to just
>rebuild using stronger parts.

hey dino,
so my plan is low comp piston, eagle rods, and cleaved bearings throught ard. so are you saying i pretty much don't need the thicker headgasket?

i was thinking of getting one since they are only 80 at hrc with the bottom end forged parts.

Do you mean a thicker headgasket, or a multi-layer steel gasket? A MLS is barely thicker than stock, its just a stronger gasket..

>Do you mean a thicker headgasket, or a multi-layer steel
>gasket? A MLS is barely thicker than stock, its just a
>stronger gasket..

i meant the thicker headgasket. i think its called cosmetic headgasket.

what do YOU recommend as far as my set up goes (lo comp pistons, rods, bigger injectors). i want to be the safest turbo 2gnt running 5 psi:thumbsup

A side question, (might be a noob question :D) but why does everyone always lower thier compression when turboing? I was planning on running 10:1 compression when I rebild, just fine tuning the engine and the fuel control. Wouldnt higher compression yield better HP and torque before you boost and after? I know its more complex and not as "safe" but if you know what youre doing, isnt it a better bet?

NeoVB
1997 Eclipse GS

js OMG... 5 psi? You need to come to one of our meets... I will take you for a ride in a 5psi run then a 10psi run... You DON'T want to put low compression pistons in your car and then just give 'er 5psi. Then you are basically going a little faster than stock silly... I think I heard that there is going to be a meet this comming up friday BE THERE!!!! E-mail me and I will get you directions!!!

people want to lower their compression ratio so when they turbo their car the pistons dont go out the damn head.

Why would thier pistons go out thier head? People can easily run 10:1 compression with turbo. The key is having perfect fuel control and knowing how to tune your car. If you have the proper equipment, know what youre doing, and watch the proper guages, you should be fine. You obviously can run 20psi much easier on lower compression engines because its easier to tune, but I think its wiser to run higher compression with low boost.

Oh yeah, and damn you all for being in california!!! Get on the east coast ;)

NeoVB
1997 Eclipse GS