i never said anything bad about the arp's i said that cometic head gaskets suck. which they do. i've had them fail on a number of different motors. so if your gonna spend the money on a head gasket but something better like a HKS, or tomei. and as far as tq ing the head we would only go to 80-85ftlbs and in the factory sequence.

and it shows when you do everything else the same and the tomei is still holding after 4-5 events and the cometc lasts only 1-2. that right there speaks for itself.

 

yeah there may be some quality control issues with cometics. and it might depend on users since you guys probably run a little more boost and high revs more often than most people do.

i would snatch up an hks or power enterprises, apex'i gasket but there is limited availability for the KA market, so you gotta work with what you can.

 

stock bore is 87 right? what are your opinions on the sizing for headgaskets? like what size would you recommend.

 

ebay rebuild kit before turbo lol my friend snagged one for just shy of $400 but i think they went up now (came with pretty much everything but rods and not sure about timing chain)...but ya throw in a metal hg and stud with a real good tune and you will have a very successful build (aslong as you maintain)

 

Your best bet is to probably buy a used KA, tear it apart on the bench, rebuild her with decent pistons, and a decent head gasket. You dont need anything crazy for the HG if you have arp studs.

The main reason HG's go out is because the stock studs stretch with the heat and pressure of boost, so when they stretch its less pressure holding the HG down and now its easier for it to be blown out by the high pressure in the cyl.

Arp studs are much stronger and resistant to any stretching, my pal had a CA with stock replacement HG and arp studs and pushed 17 all day long. (then again CA's are little monsters. Midget RB )

To reiterate get a used/blown KA, rebuild it, paint it up nice, gather your parts and build it as you go. For the price of the KA, and a rebuild kit + your thrown together kit, (not much for a KA/rebuild kit) You have an easy cheap yet STRONG and RELIABLE KA-T - If you of course tune it as everyone says. That is key.

 

that sounds good, but im not looking to build my motor, nor do i feel like worrying about my HG blowing. if it blows under boost, well know its crappy and needed to be replaced eventually. im going to order one while im boosted, but its not something im going to worry about since im going to be under 7ibs

 

well i think you got the answer's to all your questions. have fun with your kat.

 

^+1...hows the smurf doing?

 

thanks alot bill. also, whoever used coolant lines, how and where did you run your coolant lines? also where did you run the oil supply line?

 

as far as coolant lines, u can just use the ones that are supposed to go to the throttle body. they won't really affect how your car runs if you dissconect them. the oil supply line your going to have to get a T fitting and t off your oil pressure sender.