Curious to know what all you engine masters would recommend for a head gasket on a VQ30 with a Supercharger@ 11-12psi? The engine is out of the car right now, and l am trying to prepare it for it's new match up with the supercharger, but l can not afford to go crazy this winter with forged internals, that will be next winter. I have ARP headstuds, And dose any one know if we can use the VQ35 ARP Mainstuds? Plus l put in the rev-up oil pump and hr valve springs and valve seals, as well as new timing guides and adjusters. If you can think of anything else that will make it a little more reliable, please mention.

Thank you for your help.

I'm no engine master but I've went through a few peoples motor build threads and not to many people change the head gaskets on the 3.0. I've seen some people use the HR head gasket but that was for the 3.5 builds.

Are you still planning on going turbo and going for big power later? If not, there's no reason to do anything to the engine for the power levels you'll see with the SC @ 12psi.

I just want to make sure I did everything l can to this engine, so it makes it through till next winter. What l am looking for is 350-400whp till then, with the assistance of,Supercharger@12psi, 00vi, injectors and a professional tuning with e-manage. If l need to add methanol injection l will do that as well. Maybe turbo in the future but for now supercharger. Next year engine build, with PAR and Quaife for the transmission. I think that should be enough power for the next few years, so much to do to an older car, suspension, engine, transmission, exterior, interior, tires, it all cost so mush $$$$$ can't stay to focused on one area. Got to spread the money around this winter.

As for head gasket l was thinking of cometic or stock squeezed with ARP headstuds.

Thanks again for your help.

Id say stock head gasket with stronger bolts, I just dont know how the normal ARP bolts compare to the stock bolts. As for the main bolts you dont really need to change those, no point since thats probably one of the strongest part of the entire block(with stock bolts). I dont even think you need stronger head bolts but you can get them to be safer (just gotta see which will actually be an upgrade to stock, research and see if HR 3.5 headbolts will work on 3.0).

Just for reference I was at 15-16psi with a t04b turbo estimated at 350-380whp with methanol, and I had stock head gasket/bolts. Buddy of mine here on the org was at 395whp turbo and again, with stock head gasket and stock bolts.

You can get AJUSA head gasket wich are stronger than stocker but about the same price, otherwise the stock head gasket is good to go. As for the head stud just get the HR and call it a day, that's what I did on my VQ30DEK build.

Thanks you for the reassurance.
I have the engine out now so it's so cheap to reinforce it, a bit. I just can't believe this engine can withstand more than twice it's rated horsepower, with no reinforcement. I guess l am just a little over cautious, it's my nature.

Thanks for the info doublea, l will go with AJUSA head gaskets $49.00 each. Can't go wrong with that.

And l already bought the ARP headstuds, l got a good price on them.

Nismology had detailed explanation about HR bolts being very strong, I cant remember the thread tough. The ARP will do it good.

whatever you do will be fine, as that power level is fine with completely stock everything. upgraded headgaskets are not going to gain you anything because the stockers are strong enough for what you're going to throw at it unless your tune is messed up, in which case you're going to pop the head gasket anyways (doesn't matter if it's stock or aftermarket) or crack your ring lands, or both.

upgrading one part while leaving another part that is just as likely to fail in place is pointless. either spend the money to upgrade everything so nothing is a weak link, or save your money and don't upgrade anything. this piecemeal stuff is useless - you're spending money for absolutely no gain in net reliability/durability.

Brutal, and to the point.
Thank you

I have a set of Cometic HG's available if you need them. 96mm bore.

the main thing you gonna have to worry about is fuel, and a tune. the motor can take a good amount of boost

VQ30 bore = 93mm.

I wasn't trying to be brutal I'm just being realistic and trying to save you some money based on experience with these motors. It's a lot of work and money for no more reliability than if you just left it alone.

Yes I would like to save money, and l do see where your coming from. Sometimes are best intentions, are better left alone. Until l can do it properly, and upgrade everything.

Thanks again for the perspective, my good intentions always get the best of me. LOL