Thicker Gasket = Less Compression = Safe Boost???

[TitaniumSpeed]

Just an engine newb wondering if anyone has tried this on the Mazdaspeed Protege. I have heard of companies resurfacing the pistons to about 8.5:1 and was wondering how feasible it might be to either get a thicker gasket or a laser cut sheet sandwiched between to gaskets to slightly raise the cylinder head up to reduce compression and make it safer for higher boost (considering the engine was oringinally intended for NA). I know guys have done it on other cars and was wondering if anyone has tried it on the Mazdaspeed and if so ...results????

 

[Dimitrios]

Definitely an option. They do it all the time on Mopar engines (Hemi's, etc) because of the low deck height on the block.

 

[TitaniumSpeed]

Thanks Dimitrios (2thumbs)! Anyone else?

 

[ForceFed]

Theoretically this would work to lower compression.
As far as anyone with an MSP that has done it ??????????
The question should be has anyone running the FS motor(probe,protege , or other) have they done it?
This would be of great help.
Try one of the probe boards.
Maybe this would help!
Matt

 

[MP3skaterNC]

i looked around a while ago for a thicker gasket for our cars. the search came back with nothing. ugh. if you guys find something though, definatly let me know.

 

[VizaX]

Can't we stack head gaskets like the honda heads do? just an opinion...

 

[MP3skaterNC]

could possibly get blow though with that option.

 

[markmurray77]

what about copper spacers and two gaskets like the VWS do

 

[twilightprotege]

that's very common in nissan sr20det's and rb26dett's. they just replace it with a thicker metal gasket. it works just fine.

 

[TitaniumSpeed]

I have heard of the spacers as well(sandwiched between two gaskets)... I have talked to some people that say when you machine the surface of a cast item your weaken it (ie blowing holes through the piston head). This is only second hand knowledge to me as I have never had any experience with it, but for the MSP Lowering the compression a tad would allow for some safer and higher boost. I guess this would pertain to those that are boosting there NA proteges as well (considering that the same engine is used in the MSP). I don't think it would be difficult to replicate the gasket on a copper sheet (laser cut) or get spacers....anywhooz...thanks for all the replies

 

[igdrasil]

I was considering it, but theres a risk on warping the gasket.
So, now im lowering a bit the stock pistons and will see the results.

With this im just shooting in the dark.