Head Gasket Feedback
Head Gasket Feedback
Im putting the finishing touches up on the pieces on my turbo kit and im looking to get a solid head gasket that will hold 10psi. i know there is the Nippon leakless gasket and the KMS gasket. does anyone own either of theses and how is it holding up? also how much and where did you get it from. 
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Middleboro,MA
Rep Power: 296 
havent put my kms on but it looks like its very high quality they recommend their blockguard with it though. It almost looks like the stock one but its 3 thin layers instead of one. I think its so when the head and block contract it will kinda almost flex with them. Seems good but its expensive at $110 everytime you take off the head. OEM gaskets are supposed to be pretty descent and someone told me they were like $40 and good till like 10-12 psi. I dunno how much truth there is to that though.
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: so cal djmota=oscar
Rep Power: 322 sorry bro but the gasket in the first and second pic is the OEM one.
The stock gasket is 3 layers. Unless he changed the material in the center, he just sold you the nippon one.
The stock gasket is 3 layers. Unless he changed the material in the center, he just sold you the nippon one.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Middleboro,MA
Rep Power: 296 LOL im a dumbass. They were stuck together, my bad I found the difference though the raised rings that seal everything are much wider that even the squished oem ones. Phew I thought I got ripped off for a minute
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: so cal djmota=oscar
Rep Power: 322
Originally Posted by 02fpcivic
thanks for lookin out for me DJmota
Glad it worked out.
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
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From: NV
Rep Power: 811 I'm using the nippon leakless for a few months with a milled head (1mm) and no leaks. It's good to have sortof a weaker gasket with turbo so you know when something bad happens before the problem gets worse. Better to have the gasket blow than other problems.
Originally Posted by gearbox
I'm using the nippon leakless for a few months with a milled head (1mm) and no leaks. It's good to have sortof a weaker gasket with turbo so you know when something bad happens before the problem gets worse. Better to have the gasket blow than other problems.
Think of the gasket as a fuse, under pressure is best if the gasket goes and not a piston or valve.
Also, proper installation:
torque sequence + lbs must be done right (see service manual)
Use bronze gasket seal and ARP head studs.
I'm using the NIPON gasket recomended OEM they will hold up to 12lbs.
A good installation will make booth gaskets work just fine.
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
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From: NV
Rep Power: 811 nippon from majestic honda...
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...catdisplay.jsp
Supermex is right. There is a very specific way to install the bolts when putting the head back on. Also you need new bolts (10) for around $10 each for $100 total. Also available from Honda. Let me know and I'll look for the specs in the service manual.
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...catdisplay.jsp
Supermex is right. There is a very specific way to install the bolts when putting the head back on. Also you need new bolts (10) for around $10 each for $100 total. Also available from Honda. Let me know and I'll look for the specs in the service manual.
100 bucks you could get the ARP head bolts for that price. I looked up majestic honda but it doesn't name the head gasket. there is one that says it's 119.00 but just calls it a head gasket. Is thats the nippon?
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,857
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From: Arizona
Rep Power: 325 I have the Nippon gasket and it's the best thing... I've run it with NO PUMP at 8psi!!! (accident of course), but that's happened numerous times and the car still runs fine. The gasket is strong as hell
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: NV
Rep Power: 811 It specifies nippon leakless. Look under 2001, civic, cylinder head.
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...EAD+%28VTEC%29
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...EAD+%28VTEC%29
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Louisiana
Rep Power: 0 so u need gasket $30....bolts $??? and dont u need service manual for this also....also I heard someone talking about doubling up the gasket and running two...I want to change it out so I can up the boost....oh btw, how do u know if u have a blown headgasket anyways? PLEASE DONT FLAME ME 
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: NV
Rep Power: 811 If it's blown, your car will start leaking fluids (coolant). I think it's if you see antifreeze in the oil or something.
Don't know if you can double it, although maybe to lower compression. The bolts you need to get new if you're pulling off the head. The old ones stretch and won't last long if you reuse em. They're $10 each and you need 10 bolts total, so $100. Or look into the ARP bolts since they're supposed to be better and stronger for boost.
Don't know if you can double it, although maybe to lower compression. The bolts you need to get new if you're pulling off the head. The old ones stretch and won't last long if you reuse em. They're $10 each and you need 10 bolts total, so $100. Or look into the ARP bolts since they're supposed to be better and stronger for boost.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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Originally Posted by gearbox
If it's blown, your car will start leaking fluids (coolant). I think it's if you see antifreeze in the oil or something.
Don't know if you can double it, although maybe to lower compression. The bolts you need to get new if you're pulling off the head. The old ones stretch and won't last long if you reuse em. They're $10 each and you need 10 bolts total, so $100. Or look into the ARP bolts since they're supposed to be better and stronger for boost.
Don't know if you can double it, although maybe to lower compression. The bolts you need to get new if you're pulling off the head. The old ones stretch and won't last long if you reuse em. They're $10 each and you need 10 bolts total, so $100. Or look into the ARP bolts since they're supposed to be better and stronger for boost.
ok thats a myth. maybe holds true in the past.
BUT I have changed my headgasket 4 times. and Used the same bolts each time. Last time i did them was 6 months ago. since then i changed to k22's(regapped them also) , and pure methanol (118).... at 13psi the headgasket has been HOLDING STRONG, and its Daily Abused- Not driven. Btw, I changed
my alky injection to turn on at 10psi and up, its just Not needed before then.
... iv been turbo'd for a year and a half now alteast.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 892
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From: Louisiana
Rep Power: 0 yeah dont we need a service manual for this? oh yeah I plan on running meth also...I have a 5 gallon drum sitting in my garage but right now I'm running alcohol and 8psi but soon I plan on switching to the IK20's when I get them in and run 10psi TOPS....so if the oil has COOLANT in it means its a blown headgasket? so bolts or not....one guy says no and one guys says yes...I'm thinking yes just to be safe...I have the link for the HG....does anyone have the link for the bolts...if so link it up please....thanx
Chicks dig my scent
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,185
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From: Hickville, NC
Rep Power: 0 definately get a nippon, im using a nippon like metal headgasket that this local shop made for me, kinda pricey (180), but they said its garaunteed to hold up to 15psi+, so if it does go i get another one for free. But definately replace the head bolts as well
