Best head gasket: cometic vs hks , etc

[bwest]

I am in the process of doing what jdub has listed (and a little more, here and there) and even cutting corners where I can (do not associate that with 'cheep') I have eclipsed that 5-6K mark. and by more than $100...quite a bit more. Not to be said it can't be done for less, but you will find yourself asking the 'fix it now or fix it later' question alot...

Not to deture you, but things add up fast...

 

[Nick M]

And a note to the first few responses. All head gaskets require a flat surface. Surface roughness is where the difference is.

 

[jdub]

You'll also be quite surprised how fast the little stuff adds up...fittings, air filter, hoses, etc.
Seems I was always running down to the dealer, hardware store, local speed shop...always something! :eek3dance

 

[Jaguar_5]

No kidding!

I've easily spent well over $1000 in toyota bolts, hoses, clamps, belts, gaskets, and lots of other toyota parts and tiny things! I'm doing what i consider a conservative build, and I wish i didn't have to say i've eclipsed the 8k mark

 

[drumminforev]

Have you heard of Topline head gaskets? I have a pm for $60 for it, wondering if its a good price and a true oem style hg.

If not, whats a good place to purchase from for the best price.

 

[drumminforev]

I gotta buy a hg for my NA so advice anyone?

 

[jdub]

Since you are going to build a turbo motor and will have to buy a gasket kit anyway, get a Toyota gasket kit...it comes with a stock HG that you will not use on the turbo motor. Use it on the NA to get it running and keep the rest for your build.

When you do the HG job on the NA, you will also need cam seals and valve cover gaskets/grommets...they are in the gasket kit too. You can buy these later when you get to that point on the turbo motor.

Champion (aka Jay Marks) Toyota in Houston will give you a good price on the gasket kit.

 

[TurboWarrior]

keep in mind sometimes they dont tell you. There are 2 gasket kits from toyota. A full rebuild one and a headgasket top talf one. If your doing the full motor get the full motor one. It just has the extra seals, etc for the block. If you dont get the full kit youll be ordering them individually which will suck. If a machine shop is doing the work give them the whole kit. they will take what they need and give you back the rest.

 

[themadhatter]

For a sub 400hp 7m i don't see anything wrong with a factory composite hg and arp bolts/studs but thats me

 

[Nick M]

For a sub 400hp 7m i don't see anything wrong with a factory composite hg and arp bolts/studs but thats me

And you are correct. You just need to have a good tune for street gas.

 

[drumminforev]

sub 400? well i will BE 400, and are u meaning wheel or crank. I dont want to have to deal with bhg in a few months, and i wont be pussyfooting around either.

 

[drumminforev]

And again, is the stock head gasket graphite? anyone have first hand experience with these ebay headgasket kits

 

[plaaya69]

And again, is the stock head gasket graphite? anyone have first hand experience with these ebay headgasket kits

Yes the stock headgasket is graphite and for those ebay headgasket kits it depends on what brand you get. I got a headgasket kit from ebay the brand was cada(which is a no name). The headgasket was very cheap and the little gaskets were also cheap but you should probably look around for a better quality gasket set.