Minor BHG, need opinions...

[TwoTimeSupra]

Ive got a very mild BHG (eats enough coolant to overheat every hundred miles or so).

I havent modded the car heavily- just a 3"DDP BIC and a custom 3" catback, MBC, and custom IC pipes- and want to keep the boost in the 10-12psi range. I dont see a need for a MHG, so which composite HG is the best in everyone's opinion? Ive searched, but the search engine doesnt do well with open-ended questions such as this.

Any supported opinion (such as experience with a particular HG) is very welcome

 

[san supra]

A felpro should be just fine with proper torquing (80lbs to 90lbs)
I havent used it but i have one on my desk and its construction looks good.
If your going to push anymore power just spend the cash and get a metal and never worry about it again.
sorry i dont have any real experience with it

 

[ms07s]

Oem or felpro should be fine as long as the prep work is there to back it up. Just stay clear of Ebay gaskets. On a stocker I like to use a bit of copper coat. I would pony up the cash for some arp hardware.

 

[DBN]

Yup. A properly prepped and torque'd stocker will last a long time unless you want a lot of power. At least 72 ft/lb.

 

[gtsfirefighter]

Buy a Toyota HG set and it'll give you just about every gasket you'll need to do the job. I'm thinking it's minus the turbo gaskets.

Have your head resurfaced and pressure tested.
ARP bolts/studs ftw but you CAN reuse your stock headbolts.
I used ARP bolts w/moly lube. Torque to 72 ft/lbs, even your stockers if you reuse them. I also used a copper spray on my OEM hg.


Do it soon before your "mild" bhg goes to major and really does damage. Hope no coolant hasn't already gotten into your oil. If so, expect rod knock in your future.

 

[jdub]

A felpro should be just fine with proper torquing (80lbs to 90lbs)

Use that torque on stock head bolts and you will approach the yield strength...not sure where you got those figures, but they are way too high

TwoTime - Suggest you listen to the other guys if you are going to use the stock head bolts. If you use ARP bolts or studs, use the torque spec on the sheet that comes with them and do not exceed it. The spec is different for moly vs motor oil...I would use moly. FYI - ARP head bolts are limited to 75 ft/lbs on an aluminum head (a lot of guys miss the fine print).

 

[gofastgeorge]

Stock bolts show no sign of strech until 85 ft/lbs.

I have repeatedly torqued stock bolts to 75 ft/lbs with no problems.

But if you ever plan on more boost,
just go to the ARPs, and be done with it.

 

[jdub]

George - that is true, but there is no safety margin at 90 ft/lbs on the stock bolts, especially when you consider the expansion of an aluminum head on a steel block. That is why ARP head bolts are limited to 75 ft/lbs. The torsional stress experienced by a bolt (vs near zero for a stud) plus the expansion of the aluminum can exceed yield strength.

Torque between 70-75 ft/lbs on the stock bolts is fine...I would not go higher though. What I like to do on the stock bolts is go to 70 ft/lbs, go 5 heat cycles, then do a re-torque to 75 ft/lbs.

 

[grimreaper]

Stock bolts show no sign of strech until 85 ft/lbs.

I have repeatedly torqued stock bolts to 75 ft/lbs with no problems.

But if you ever plan on more boost,
just go to the ARPs, and be done with it.

Glad it worked for you, doesnt mean it will work for the next guy. Bolt specs are there for a reason

 

[TwoTimeSupra]

those are mostly good replies, thanks.

I already have the ARP's on their way here, and plan to go 72 ft/lbs unless otherwise noted.

The BHG is so minor right now that it acts like a coolant leak. I have a coolant pressurizer (the one that attaches to the fill neck of the rad) and have pressurized the system to 18 lbs- stock pressure is 13- and havent been able to find the leak. No coolant in oil or vice versa, but I get a sweet smell coming from the exhaust, but no white smoke. Also took out the plugs to see if one of the cyl's were getting washed, but theyre all dirty.

I will absolutely get the head resurfaced and PT'ed, and I guess I'll go with Fel-Pro or Cometic. I'm doin the work myself, and while I dont have experience doing a supra HG, Ive done them on other cars before, so I have a good idea of how long, parts, etc.

Thanks again fellas

 

[gtsfirefighter]

I will absolutely get the head resurfaced and PT'ed, and I guess I'll go with Fel-Pro or Cometic.

Huh? Cometic? Cometics are MHGs unless they make a composite I wasn't aware of. Felpro or Toyota OEM. I went OEM. I like Toyota stuff on my Toyota.