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I am rebuilding and 87 535, stock m30b34. (MAJOR oil leak through head gasket at the timing cover location) The car has 338000 kms (212000 miles) . I am planning on having a turbo setup in the next few years, but don't currently have funds for one because i am still going to school.

It is my impression the best HG to use would be a MLS gasket.

Does this gasket DECREASE compression ratio? Can i install a MLS gasket with no turbo? Maybe if someone has dimensions of a MLS gasket or a link to the m30b34 MLS gasket that is used, I could do some math and answer my own questions. Thanks for your time.
Cheers
Nick D

Well,

I don't know of an MLS gasket for the M30 that won't reduce compression. There's 2 reasons behind MLS gaskets..

1) THey are quite tough (Unless you're my lunatic friend Ron) which is what you want in a forced induction engine. Basically a turbocharger on an engine is like a bellows on a fireplace (And being brutally oversimplfied, an engine is little more than a big air pump). So more air = more pressure = need for beefier stuff.

2) They tend to be quite thicker than stock, this lowers compression.

All of which is good on a turbo car. The strength really won't be an issue with a stock M30 with US Pistons and compression ratio at all. What does concern me is bringing the compression ratio too low.. you'll sacrifice power and, also, your car isn't tuned for low compression with the factory tuning on it. I don't know if this will cause driveability problems or not (It sure will on a newer BMW).

In other words, go with a stock gasket until you decide to turbo it.

I'm pretty sure TCD has/can get a variety of thicknesses, and probably one that doesn't reduce compression.

TCD stocks MLS headgaskets that can either preserve or lower the stock compression based on the customer needs. Couple that with ARP head studs (which I believe he also sells), and that car will be ready for a turbo when the time comes as long as the compression numbers are healthy.

Bill, the reason most of the MLS head gaskets you see drop the compression ratio is cause you're used to dealing with turbos on motors with higher stock compression where lowering the compression is very desireabe.

Jeremy

Jeremy wrote:TCD stocks MLS headgaskets that can either preserve or lower the stock compression based on the customer needs. Couple that with ARP head studs (which I believe he also sells), and that car will be ready for a turbo when the time comes as long as the compression numbers are healthy.

Bill, the reason most of the MLS head gaskets you see drop the compression ratio is cause you're used to dealing with turbos on motors with higher stock compression where lowering the compression is very desireabe.

Jeremy

jeremy,

Absolutely MLS gaskets exist for stock compression, I wasn't aware that Todd had them, but not surprised

What I was suggesting was that if you're going to do it, an MLS is overkill for a stock engine, and... if he's going to turbo it later, he'd want to use a thicker one.

BTW, building another FI'd M52 car.. this time a 528iT.. won't this be a fun sleeper! Should be around 550 to the wheels.

Wiseguy wrote: jeremy,

Absolutely MLS gaskets exist for stock compression, I wasn't aware that Todd had them, but not surprised

What I was suggesting was that if you're going to do it, an MLS is overkill for a stock engine, and... if he's going to turbo it later, he'd want to use a thicker one.

BTW, building another FI'd M52 car.. this time a 528iT.. won't this be a fun sleeper! Should be around 550 to the wheels.

An MLS is certainly overkill for a stock motor, but there's no reason not to run it if you have plans to do a turbo down the road. You won't need a thicker one with an M30B34 because the compression ratio is already low. I ran an MLS on a stock motor for a couple months before the turbo without problems.