Re: Q's about TUNING and did i blow up my head gas
> HKS SIMPLY MAKES THE NICEST GASKET AROUND. I
> RUN 19 PSI DAILY WITH NO PROBLEMS AND THE
> GASKET CAN TAKE ALOT MORE. $130 FOR 1MM AND
> $160 FOR 2MM THICH GASKETS.
The Nissan Motorsport o-ringed gasket is an excellent piece, also, but it is quite expensive, and requires machining of the block. Actually, at 12psi, the stock head gasket should work fine, _IF_ you make sure that the head bolts are torqued properly (65ft-lbs for the ZXT), in the proper sequence, and retorque them periodically.
You description didn't sound like a blown head gasket, though.
> NEVER LISTEN TO A THING THAT GUY POSTS. IF
> YOU MILL THE HEAD, YOU WILL RAISE
> COMPRESSION AND ALSO THROW OFF YOUR CAM
> TIMING. YOU WOULD THEN NEED TO SHIM THE CAM
> TOWERS OR BUY AN ADJUSTABLE CAM SPROCKET. I
> KNOW GUYS RUNNING 7.4:1 COMPRESSION AND
> RUNNING 12.5'S IN THE 1/4. THE LOWER
> COMPRESSION WILL ALLOW YOU TO RUN HIGHER
> BOOST LEVELS.
Agreed However, if you are looking for more moderate (say, <270hp) power levels, a slight increase in compression (8.5:1 or less) would give better off-boost response and better overall efficiency, at the expense of ultimate power.
> O-RINGING IS CUTTING A SMALL GROOVE AROUND
> THE CYLINDER BORE. WHEN YOU TIGHTEN DOWN THE
> HEAD, THE GASKET IS FORCED INTO THE GROOVE
> CREATING A SEAL THAT IS DIFFICULT TO BREAK.
Often a metal o-ring is actually fitted in the groove, in order to crush the gasket even tigher around the perimeter of the cylinder bore.
> NEVER MAKE THE MANIFOLD PORTS LARGER THAN
> THE HEAD PORTS. THIS WILL CAUSE YOU TO FORM
> A LIP THAT WILL ABRUPT FLOW AND KILL
> PERFORMANCE. USE A GASKET AS A TEMPLATE TO
> BOTH YOUR MANIFOLD AND HEAD. LINE UP THE
> BOLT HOLES AND MARK WHERE METAL IS TO BE
> REMOVED.
Also, unless you really know what you are doing, or know someone who does, don't mess with the head ports. It's really easy to make it flow worse, and alot more difficult to improve it.
> ****, YOU RUN 12PSI WITH NO INTERCOOLER!
> DEATH WISH ON THE MOTOR????? SPEARCO MAKES
> GOOD INTERCOOLERS, ALSO BELL ENGINEERING
> MAKES A NICE INTERCOOLER FOR CHEAP.
Geez...no kidding! You should really look into at least getting a rising rate fuel pressure regulator, and a fuel pump with sufficient high pressure fuel flow capabilities. The stock FI system wasn't sized to supply enough fuel for an honest 12psi of boost. Turning up the boost ONLY increases the amount of air going into the motor. If you don't make sure that you have enough fuel to go with it, bad things will happen. Things that are alot more expensive than replacing a head gasket...
> HKS SIMPLY MAKES THE NICEST GASKET AROUND. I
> RUN 19 PSI DAILY WITH NO PROBLEMS AND THE
> GASKET CAN TAKE ALOT MORE. $130 FOR 1MM AND
> $160 FOR 2MM THICH GASKETS.
The Nissan Motorsport o-ringed gasket is an excellent piece, also, but it is quite expensive, and requires machining of the block. Actually, at 12psi, the stock head gasket should work fine, _IF_ you make sure that the head bolts are torqued properly (65ft-lbs for the ZXT), in the proper sequence, and retorque them periodically.
You description didn't sound like a blown head gasket, though.
> NEVER LISTEN TO A THING THAT GUY POSTS. IF
> YOU MILL THE HEAD, YOU WILL RAISE
> COMPRESSION AND ALSO THROW OFF YOUR CAM
> TIMING. YOU WOULD THEN NEED TO SHIM THE CAM
> TOWERS OR BUY AN ADJUSTABLE CAM SPROCKET. I
> KNOW GUYS RUNNING 7.4:1 COMPRESSION AND
> RUNNING 12.5'S IN THE 1/4. THE LOWER
> COMPRESSION WILL ALLOW YOU TO RUN HIGHER
> BOOST LEVELS.
Agreed However, if you are looking for more moderate (say, <270hp) power levels, a slight increase in compression (8.5:1 or less) would give better off-boost response and better overall efficiency, at the expense of ultimate power.
> O-RINGING IS CUTTING A SMALL GROOVE AROUND
> THE CYLINDER BORE. WHEN YOU TIGHTEN DOWN THE
> HEAD, THE GASKET IS FORCED INTO THE GROOVE
> CREATING A SEAL THAT IS DIFFICULT TO BREAK.
Often a metal o-ring is actually fitted in the groove, in order to crush the gasket even tigher around the perimeter of the cylinder bore.
> NEVER MAKE THE MANIFOLD PORTS LARGER THAN
> THE HEAD PORTS. THIS WILL CAUSE YOU TO FORM
> A LIP THAT WILL ABRUPT FLOW AND KILL
> PERFORMANCE. USE A GASKET AS A TEMPLATE TO
> BOTH YOUR MANIFOLD AND HEAD. LINE UP THE
> BOLT HOLES AND MARK WHERE METAL IS TO BE
> REMOVED.
Also, unless you really know what you are doing, or know someone who does, don't mess with the head ports. It's really easy to make it flow worse, and alot more difficult to improve it.
> ****, YOU RUN 12PSI WITH NO INTERCOOLER!
> DEATH WISH ON THE MOTOR????? SPEARCO MAKES
> GOOD INTERCOOLERS, ALSO BELL ENGINEERING
> MAKES A NICE INTERCOOLER FOR CHEAP.
Geez...no kidding! You should really look into at least getting a rising rate fuel pressure regulator, and a fuel pump with sufficient high pressure fuel flow capabilities. The stock FI system wasn't sized to supply enough fuel for an honest 12psi of boost. Turning up the boost ONLY increases the amount of air going into the motor. If you don't make sure that you have enough fuel to go with it, bad things will happen. Things that are alot more expensive than replacing a head gasket...