Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) how much power before...

[sgoeing]

How much power can you run before you need to stud and oring the head?



I'm looking at edge juice, adjustable wastegate, and at some point in the future, mach4's.





At what point/power level do you need to have that done?

 

[MarkMiller]

Look at my sig for truck details. I have not done orings or studs yet. I have been trying to figure that out too. Seems there is no real fixed answer. the generally accepted number is 45 psi means trouble for the stock bolts and head gasket. The stock turbo is only efficient to about 30 psi and the drive pressure goes through the roof and can cause problems so you need an after market turbo to really get into trouble. The stock turbo can go past 30 psi though. Mine did.



I have had my new turbo to over 50 psi with the stock bolts and head gasket and it has not blown the head gasket YET! That is a big yet. With an oring head and studs you can safely run in the mid 60's from what I hear. I will probably go to Orings and studs if/when I pop my stock headgasket. Mine running to over 45psi and staying together seems to be an anomoly though. So don't take it like a garauntee to do it yourself. I will also cam it when I go oring and stud since I will already be there. I also tow up to 16k with mine.



You can go beyond that though and fire ring the head and block and run a copper headgasket and go stupid boost pressures. Fire rings are copper rather than the rubber of standard O rings.