Ah, the joys of performance

[Strick-9]

What is it with me and TDR events? EVERY single time I've been to a TDR event something bad happens to my truck.



My first TDR experience cost me an overdrive clutch pack and some chewed up transmission parts.



Then I go to the Kerrville rally last year and blow a headgasket.



Most of you know we have a big dyno event in Dallas on the 16th. I've been preparing for this event for a few months.



I bought a ton of nitrous parts to see if I could put up a huge HP number. Then a few weeks ago my HX-40 breaks a shaft. Disappointing but I didn't give up. I was going to see what I could do with a stock turbo.



I even removed my pump to make some censored adjustments to get more fuel. That zero plate just wasn't good enough anymore.



Surprisingly shortly after my pump mods, I lose a ton of power. I check all the normal things like fuel pressure, filters, etc. I just can't seem to figure it out. Not just a little power, were talking 6 mph in the 1/8. Big time loss. Still I don't give up.



I have an appointment to get my nitrous plumbed in a few hours from now. I just went outside and hooked up the propane to tune it with the new intake system. I drove it around and made sure I wasn't getting any detonation. Then on the trip home, a sportbike (Yamaha R6), a mustang GT and I roll up to a four way stop together. The bike leaves first and just hammers away. I follow suit and accelerate just enough to keep the tires from spinning. The mustang tears in behind me and acts like he has the confidence to pass. So I do what any other bombed cummins owner would do. I hammer down. I can only see the drivers side of the mustang for all the smoke I'm putting out, but it is definately fading back. At about 80 mph, I glance at the flashing pyro and read 1700°+. I let off just a tad to let the mustang catch back up and hammer down again just to make sure he wouldn't have any excuses. I slowly pull away again and ease out of the throttle at about 115 mph. As I turned off to head down the driveway, I start thinking God I love this truck. Maybe I'm not down on power after all. Then I pull into the driveway and check under the hood to find coolant blown all over the engine bay. I know what that is. Yep, oil in the radiator.



Looks like I'll put in my fourth head gasket on next week and limp it to Dallas to try to put up at least stock HP.



I recall swapping a blown a head gasket the night before the last dyno event in Dallas as well. But at least it wasn't my truck. Right, Cord. Is there some kind of pattern here.



-Chris

 

[KatDiesel]

Sorry to hear that... . so you were playing with the propane when ya got this one?



Are you putting the stock headgaskets back on... . or have you tried different ones? Have you considered the copper ones that were supposed to be made up?



Hope ya get it back together... was anxious to hear what happens on March 16th.



What did you decide on the nitrous bottle location??

 

[Strick-9]

Actually, I believe the mysterious loss of performance was early symptoms of the blown headgasket. I think it's been leaking compression for a couple weeks.



I wouldn't totally blame the propane, YET! It was setup very mild. Seat of the pants barely noticeable.



Still using stock style headgaskets. Going with the . 010" over this time if available. I considered copper, but I'm in a time crunch now. First available, first installed.



I just want the 6mph back that I lost in the 1/8 mile.



NOS bottle behind the seat. Blow off plumbed outside the cab.



I've been too lazy to hook up the drive pressure gauge. I'm sure with the stock turbo, drive pressures are through the roof now. Part of the problem I'm sure.



-Chris

 

[Cummins Corvette]

Too bad about the gasket tho.

 

[Don M]

Get her fixed dude. What a drag... . Mine is OK so far. I have not a minute to get it running right yet.

Still waiting on parts. I will be wrenching on it till midnight Friday I bet. See you Sat.



Don~

 

[Deezul1]

I think we need to call you and Cord the Gasket Brothers. All kidding aside I am sorry to hear about the failure, what a PITA. Is the head gasket thing like the AFC housing are you leaving every other bolt out hehe. New SB clutch is awsome.

 

[Strick-9]

Deezul1,

You mean you really need all the head bolts? I thought they just used extras for a safety factor. I figure one on each corner outta hold for the measely power I'm putting out.



-Chris

 

[CUMINNTSTRKN]

chris



you should call around and get the . 20 over gasket. i think enterprise has them in stock. i know some people torque the head to oem specs and then go back and retorque to 130ftlbs.



jim

 

[lIseminger]

power

Your truck sounds like a blast. I can't immagine having nitrous and

propane on a cummins. I remember going for rides in my older

brothers camaro with nitrous. DAMN SCARY! Can immagine what

the mustang was thinking. Verry cool. Good luck with the gasket.

 

[Strick-9]

Jim,



I've got the . 020" thicker head gasket now. That's what I usually install.



I've blown two of those now. The first was more due to a crappy install on my part and 37° of timing advance.



I lost power when I lowered the compression and the only reason I sacrificed that was to gain reliability and to keep the head gaskets from blowing in the future. That obviously hasn't helped, so I'm going back towards stock.



I've kept my timing at a mild 14. 75° to keep the cylinder pressures down and that didn't eliminate the problem either. I don't want to give in and o-ring the block or use a copper gasket yet either.



I think I can make it work. Last time I had the head on the bench in 1 hour 15 minutes. I'll see what I can do this time.



-Chris

 

[HVAC]

Copper w/O-rings

QUOTE:

"Actually, I believe the mysterious loss of performance was early symptoms of the blown

headgasket. I think it's been leaking compression for a couple weeks. "



Your correct about that. I've seen the loss of power precede the blow out.



I've purchased a tool that will allow a person to cut grooves for O-rings on the deck or the head without removing the engine. That in conjunction with a copper gasket is the best performance setup IMO. Chris Sutton has been the first to get this treatment. Time for twin turbos and another go at the sled this summer

 

[Cummins Corvette]

HVAC- your pm box is full, fyi. I sent you an e mail.

 

[HVAC]

Inbox Full

My inbox is always full.



I encourage folks to contact me via email-



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