Head Gaskets, Copper vs. Other, Thickness? Options

[WALKER]

So I have a few questions relating to head gaskets. Enlighten me 6GC!

I have a 5SFE and am planning on building up into a 5SFTE, since mine is a 95 I will require a metal head gasket. I have been doing some researching into head gaskets and I have found that SCE makes copper head gaskets for the 5SFE. I know that copper is a better conductor and that it is a quite a stong metal and is partially eleastic. Is a copper head gasket a good idea or would you recommend sticking to a standard metal head gasket or a multi-layer metal gasket (like Cometic). Looking for your thoughts.

Also they make a copper exhuast manifold gasket for the 5SFE, would this gasket work to put on the 5SFE with the 3S exhaust manifold? Also would it be beneficial to put on there since it has better conductivity, etc.?

Next question is regarding head gaskets. I know that you can get them in varying thicknesses. SCE make them ranging from .032" (.8128mm) to .093" (2.3622mm), which is a recommended size. I have read that the thicker your head gasket the lower the compression ratio will become, due to the increase in clearance volume. My rough calculations show that by increasing by ~1mm you could drop the compression ratio from about 9.5 to 9.0, not sure if that is correct...just rough estimates and numbers is what I used.

What is the standard thickness of the 98+ metal head gasket or of the stock head gasket? What kind of compression is expected of that gasket when installed (about half?). If I am building a 5SFTE I would think it would be best for me to lower my compression ratio. Therefore, what thickness would be a good one to get for my 5SFTE build?

If I do get a thicker gasket to lower my compression ratio, do I need to get different pistons? This is where my knowledge is very little and am looking for enlightenment. Will the stock pistons work? Does getting different lower compression pistons work because they change the dish in the piston?

Basically that is my thoughts in a nutshell, so I am looking for information on:

1. Is copper a good choice over the 98+ metal gasket?
2. Is copper a good choice for an exhaust manifold gasket and will it work?
3. What thickness is the stock head gasket and what is a good thickness to get for a 5SFTE?

Thanks in advance.
David

[ZacMan1987]

What are your HP goals? Do you just want an extremely peppy daily driver? Or are you looking to build a monster?

[WALKER]

What are your HP goals? Do you just want an extremely peppy daily driver? Or are you looking to build a monster?

Well what I am planning on doing is building a reliable daily driver, with horsepower goal in the 200's. Basically build what I can without using a standalone engine managament system. So basically build it initially to be a reliable daily driver running on emanage or similar and then as I get more comfortable with it and learn more I will try and push it to see what I can get without switching to standalone. Where that takes me, only time will tell!

Basically I am going to follow in Manny's footsteps!

[WALKER]

Is there no comments on gasket thickness or material?

[3WayStunna]

imma do a search on it now....i too am curious as too the actual benefits of choosing the right head gaskets for different applications

[3WayStunna]

Well from what ive read on other forums, the stock gasket should work fine, for the amount of boost you expect to run, and the hp, you want o reach....although it can be agreed that having an aftermarket gasket whether copper or metal, wont hurt?

heres link to where i was reading this

http://toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.p...goto=nextoldest

[3WayStunna]

Another thing you could do to find out the right thickness you would want to have, is measure the distance between your pistons and the top of your block, at tdc...for a sec i had things all wrong...

This post has been edited by 3WayStunna: Jul 4, 2006 - 4:41 PM