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Has anyone used a copper sprayed, or even un-treated elring headgasket with ARPs?

What's done is done so i will run it, but I've noticed some very low horse power numbers quoted in terms of what a non-mls (or non o-ringed stock) headgasket is good for.

I've had very good luck with copper sprayed elring HG's on other projects (my Volvo had stock elring w/ copper spray and stock head bolts) so I decided to stay with what I know.

I don't like the idea of o-ringing or using an MLS since it makes life more complicated if I pop this motor and want to bang another JY motor in (this is likely, lol). It would need to either be machined for the MLS or machined for o-rings.

I will be running a programmable EMS of course and the tune will be good. Obviously detonation will pop it even at low HPs.

But has anyone popped a fresh stock with ARP's when the timing and AFR were known good? (ie it was popped strictly from power?)

Its always hard to say exactly what causes a HG failure. Of course the main factor is cylinder pressure, but that spikes severely when detonation occurs. Even slight detonation can pooch a gasket. You might not hear it but it will be just as destructive as the full blown can of bb's detonation under the hood.

The M30 seems to be much more susceptible to HG failure than the M20. I run stock gaskets up to 1.4 bar with head studs. I've never seen an M30 doing that. Some guys have problems at 8 psi, but I think that may be due to tuning issues. I do know that a Cometic MLS and studs will hold something like 20 psi. Surface prep including machining for the MLS gasket is not necessary in my experience. A little copper spray will do to prevent minor fluid leaks.

Thanks for the insight- hopefully I haven't screwed myself on this. Worst case scenario and I pop it, I guess I will try a copper sprayed mls on the "stock" mating surfaces.

I'm a pro at popping headgaskets, mls included.
My current build is an m5 stock headgasket , sprayed w copper,w arp studs on my m106. It has held up to all the thrashing I do up to 18#. It has leaked just a bit of oil on the intake side since day 1, but is holding otherwise. I installed a knocksense led light to the m106 knocksensors. Installed in the A pillar it blinds me at knock & I lift. That's probably the best $60 I've spent on this car.
good luck
marc

Volkswagen TDI motors had VNT turbos. The 98-2003 ALH TDI used something like a Garrett GT1756v(a,b) which VAG simply called a VNT15. Great little turbo, and the vane technology allows for quick spooling. They max out at about 140hp however, EGT and EGPs get too high. I would love to see this build with dual GT2056vb's. They're good for about 175-180 a piece and you would have boost from an idle.

But anyway. This build makes me drool.

Variable nozzle is really nice technology, but wouldn't a twin-VNT setup be way too complicated to build, sync and tune for a non-engineer with limited resources?
You'll get it to run, off course, but won't it be too fragile for the kind of abuse a petrol-powered 'toy' will see?
I would love to see it though, but I don't think that's a viable option.

I'll just stick with my two KKK k03's I have left over from my 2.7t S4 I used to own.

Yo Captain... it's Nucci.

Wow more pictures and progress on the project than what I've seen... elsewhere. I'm even more impressed.

Can't wait to see the finished product

Great job so far, looking forward to more.

Nice fab work dude!!! Keep us posted.

Kenny wrote:Has anyone used a copper sprayed, or even un-treated elring headgasket with ARPs?

I've noticed some very low horse power numbers quoted in terms of what a non-mls (or non o-ringed stock) headgasket is good for.


But has anyone popped a fresh stock with ARP's when the timing and AFR were known good? (ie it was popped strictly from power?)

Kenny, I'm using stock bolts and just a copper sprayed replacement gasket on 25psi semi-daily
and I mean real high speed topping 4th blasts with 2.93 rear.

The other day it was 102f ambient and still going up hills blasting 25psi.

m30 gaskets like to pop talk is just internet guys talking.. I've read that too.
15psi or something like that and "you need mls".

any progress on this? looks like its been almost 3 years though... what happened?

Justin535turbo wrote:any progress on this? looks like its been almost 3 years though... what happened?

I asked the same question to a mutual friend up in BC. No one knows?
He stated he's seen one of Kenny's cars locally but didn't stop to talk. So it's anyone's guess if he finished it.
I'll ask my friend to have Ken aka "Cap" to update us.

Any updates?

what will you you be doing ecu wise to tune this ?