I read from a while ago that we do not have any better aftermarket head gaskets... wondering if anything has changed, if anyone ever produced one? What are you other guys doing about this if you are boosting higher, no problems from the oem one?

is felpro better or worse than oem, or same? thanks

hal
www.hlh0501.com

 

If you can source them the VQ30DET head gaskets are suposed to be better. Copper is also an option but a "one off" custom is expensive. I dunno about FelPro vs OE, but my gut tels me OE.

FWIW, Ive not had any problems the my set up yet on my stock motor. I think the stock Head gasket is tough. Using the J&S to retard timing helps keep peak cylinder pressures down by starting combustion later in the power stroke some of the combusting gas is expelled as its combusting, EGTs get hot but detonation stays in check. I dont really need to retard timing till 10-11psi depending on how hot the ambient air is. I dont have an intercooler either so with an IC I'd bet 11-12 psi is no problem w/o ignition retard.

 

if I'm not mistaken Motorsport auto sells them to fit the vg30et.

 

I know Matthel looked for quite a while for these and couldn't find any... Tilley got one for his turbo, but I think it took a LONG time, plus UPS delivered it all bent up...

 

I guess he needs to look in the RIGHT places

Courtesy Nissan

this one here a guy said he got some 2mm thick custom made for
$100 a pair

good luck!!

 

yes i was looking in the right places. I contacted most manufacters of head gaskets and nobody was willing to take the time to make a custom copper or metal gasket. It simply wasnt worth their time they said. The link you provided to COurtesy Nissan looks like a Z31 head gasket. Unfortunately the 95+ Maxima does not use a VG motor.

if anyone can get one custom made, i would still be intersted in picking one up. I do have the specs of the stock head gasket and thickness if needed.

 

hmmm Has anybody tried to see if the gaskets from the vg will fit on the vq? It's worth trying.

Check with the company I posted where the guy said he had some custom made. I can't guarantee this...it's only what I was told.

 

VG head gasket wouldnt fit the VQ motor. Different motor, VG is iron block closed deck, VQ motor is aluminum block open deck. i know they wont fit, BUT, if you want to get a VG gasket and try it on a VQ block, be my guest, prove me right. thanks

 

I take it that you can visibly see major differences, huh?

Do you know where I can find pics of a vq engine block and other pieces not put togeather?

 

Hehe. VG gasket. Why don't you go to the dealer and ask to see a VG and VQ head gasket and do some research for us?

BTW. Longshot but Paeco might be able to do something. I was chatting with Jonnymax and he mentioned something like custom gaskets were available on their website.

 

Who was it that was trying to get a copper HG group deal going? Did they ever get far with it?

SuDZ

 

because you're the one wanting the gasket, not me.

 

Ah no, I want neither of them



You were the one asking the questions right?

 

My mistake..I thought you had been the one looking for the gaskets.

I did ask, but I'm still not looking for a gasket. I got copper already.

 

The link you gave for the copper hg guy is a metal recycling place.

You got hgs for your 92 maxima?

 

I never checked out that link myself. Maybe if they are sent email they can do it, I dunno. If it's a dead end, sorry.

Nope, my 92 maxima is stock. It's my beater...no back seat, no center console, no carpet. It's a 4 door truck with a trunk. haha.

I know the vg's pretty well, so I come by here now and then. I figure I may learn something or help somebody else with something they need. Keep an eye on me...cause I may mistakenly post something about a vg when the topic is about a vq.

Where can I find pics of vq engine parts disassembled?

I'm building a vg now with TT crank, rods and wrist pins. I got custom forged pistons for it. I am considering putting in the oil squirters from the z32 engine, but the vg30 block needs work to put them in. I dunno if I will hit oil galleys if I drill in where they are on the z32 engine. I've not yet gotten far enough into the job to look into if very far. I got the squirters though

 

Hey, my buddy just got a set of copper head gaskets made for the 2.2 Cavalier. I'll find out who he got to make them. All he needed was 10 people definite and they wavied the enginering fee. If 10 people are interested here I will find out and find out if they can do it for us also.

 

i have some pics of the VQ block and my motor build on my cardomain site. dunno where else you can find pics...

 

I have contacted a company about making a copper head gasket. There is normally a $75/hour enginering fee but if we can get 10 people they will waive the fee. The cost will be $90. I'm going to post this in the Group Deal forum also for all interested.

 

I just went there for the first time. Cool pics.

SuDZ

 

Maybe if you or somebody was to send them CAD drawings of exactly what is needed they will make them for less and/or without having to get the 10 buyers. just an idea...good luck


btw...do the vq engines really need copper gaskets? I know the vg's have been known to hold 20+psi on stock gaskets. That's an extreme case, but I'd fully expect any stock vg30 gasket to hold 15psi regularly.

 

maybe I'm overlooking something, but where can I find your website?

 

its
http://maxima.cardomain.com/id/turbo95max


anyways, 15psi on what size turbo? im sure any VQ can hold 15psi on tiny snail but throw in a T78 and see if itll hold 15psi.
rmemeber wew talked about VG and VQ block. VQ is an aluminum block and VG is cast iron block.

 

That's a good point, as the charge from the t78 would be cooler and more dense. The guy I knew that put 21psi in the vg had either a t3 or a t3/t4...I'm not sure. I'd GUESS that would be about the equivalent of about 16-18psi or more on a larger turbo.

I don't think you'd have problems with the block on the vq holding the pressure any more than you would on the vg. I've build many aluminum things in my life, and though aluminum isn't as strong as steel, it will hold quite a bit of pressure providing it's got the proper bracing and structure.

 

I don't understand why U guys really DO need stronger headgaskets, you can boost up to 27psi on a SR20DET with a factory head gasket. I seen plenty of 20psi daily driven SRs with OEM headgaskets. Nissan uses some really good head gaskets on their current engines, I don't think with the right tuning the gasket will blow.