Stock head gasket?

[shawnoc]

Just looking for clarification on “stock” head gasket.
Is this the same as Erling and Victor Reinz, or does stock mean BMW only?

Obviously this is my first turbo engine. The plan is to take it as far as possible without stand alone. From my reading here, that is not very far.
I lack the skill set for MS, and don’t want this to become a source of aggravation.
So the plan is TDC chip, wide band o2, RRFPR and W2A.


Thanks, Shawn

[tschultz]

You can still make it work for a good bit of power, but I think the biggest sacrifice with keeping motronic is a lack of throttle response. I'm speaking in comparison to MS2 and the brief start I have with it.

In for the headgasket answers.

[tcturbo91]

I've been running my stock head gasket and ARP's for 2ish years my car has been turbo, regularly running 16-18lbs of boost, with an occasional run at 22-24psi. I know this isn't the "norm" but I haven't had one issue. I just ordered a bigger turbo and I'm going cut ring or MLS as a precaution just not sure which yet, was actually getting ready to start a thread since all head gasket threads are very old on here.


Please do not get a Victor reinz head gasket, you'll thank me later

[shawnoc]

See, you just did it!
What does stock mean?
Installed at factory or purchased at dealership?

Is Erling the same as stock?

[tcturbo91]

Ha! Sorry. It's an elring, installed when I put my motor together.

[shawnoc]

Thanks tcturbo91

[mitch5]

The elring gasket is of higher quality compared to the victor reinz. I ran 12 psi with studs but blew the gasket due to my block having a low spot. Any uneveness in the head or block is not forgiving with boost.

[marc79euro645]

Get an m5/ e34 head gasket from bmw and studs.

[shawnoc]

Get an m5/ e34 head gasket from bmw and studs.

Is this okay for B34 block and head?
Thanks for the advice.
Shawn

[marc79euro645]

Yes, it fits perfectly. This was recommended to me by a guy at Metric Mechanics. He told me it's what they use on all they're builds. The gasket has silicone beading at oil/water holes. Mines still holding after 8 years or so now.

[Hffvdbl]

I hadn't heard that about the e34 M5 gasket. That's good info. I replaced my MLS gasket with an OEM head gasket in the spring when I went from B34 to B35. The OEM gasket is made by Elring. Here's the funny part. I had the OEM (made by Elring) and an aftermarket Elring side by side and they did look different. go figure

I'm having no issues with 1 bar spring, OEM HG and ARP headstuds so far. Not sure how much further I want to go up right now.