Hi

Im busy putting together a Turbocharged LS/VTEC, the motor will be fully built, sleeved etc.

Ive been reading the threads on best gasket for high boost and high HP applications and most reccommend OEM Honda gasket with Copper O-Rings !

On our Drag Car we run Darton sleeves with Stainless Steel O-Rings and a receiver groove in the head with a B20 OEM Gasket.

What are the advantages of going with the Copper O-Ring - and don't I need a receiver groove then (as I didnt see receiver grooves mentioned in the posts) ???

What spec should the Copper O-Ring be ???

Your advice will be greatly appreciated
Riaan
South Africa

 

Copper is much softer than stainless steel and I am pretty sure that allows you to get away with not using a reciever groove in the head becuase the copper flattens some when you torque the head down, works just as good with less machining/cost/potential issues.

I dont think any special type of copper wire is used, just whatever you can pick up in a hardware store, GE sells the wire as well...... they will be O-ringing my new block very soon.

 

Anymore feedback ???

Also can leaving .010 step in the sleeve abovew the block deck height be just as good as the O-ringed block ??

Thnx for the help !!

 

This.

OP, quick question, How much are you planing to boost?

 

Up to 30 psi - im leaning towards the step sleeve (cos its simpler) , a bud of mine's B20Vtec Turbo has had no issues at 30 psi with this method

Ive also got 12 mm headstuds

What do you think ???

 

96 GSR T is correct about copper rings not requiring a receiver grove and stainless requiring them in the head..

Golden Eagle supposedly step decks their sleeved blocks, I think its a good idea, I just don't know exactly how much to step it.

My copper O rings were just wire that I dolly'd in with a wooden handle, cut and file fit.

 

Moderate boost, so you should be fine w/o the o-ring, but it never hurts to be safe, really it's up to you.

 

"Up to 30 psi - im leaning towards the step sleeve (cos its simpler) , a bud of mine's B20Vtec Turbo has had no issues at 30 psi with this method

Ive also got 12 mm headstuds

What do you think ???"

_____________

Hello Riaan, I dont have any technical or input from actuall physical work - and it will be nice to hear from the "pro tuners" here as thay go waaay over 30psi..

But I think if you not gonna go over 550whp or tooo much over 33psi, the 12mm studs will do the job.. as it is is my setup

Sometimes a groove thats not 100% machined etc can only add problems and complications.
Maybe just leave it as is, and only do the "o-ringing" if you run in2 issues : )

Just my 2cents : )

 

ive seen people step deck anywhere from .003 to .006. i think ge does .003 unless otherwise specified.

 

yeah i have darton sleeves with a step, all good so far 20psi 313kw b16a
cosmetic gaskit

 

GE step decks .003 then the copper o-ring before compressed sticks out about .007.

 

stepped and copper o-ring ftw. just got my new block from ge today

 

Ok thnx for the info

1) So would this be the recommended step height (with the copper)

2) What would the recommended step height be without any O-ring (is this a viable option) ???

 

we do .003 step deck with or with out oring. i have never seen anyone run a stainless oring and receiver groove in the head with a oem gasket only with copper gaskets. I'm surprised it seals like that because the hole point of the receiver grove in the head is so the copper gasket will fill it when you torque the head down but with a oem gasket thats not going to happen but hey if it works for you

 

Thnx for your help - Im going to go with the .003 step deck !

 

you do know that it is not the same as a oringed block right

 

Yes thanx - the step deck uses the sleeve height (.003) to "compress" the gasket against the head - the O-ringing uses a copper/steel wire which is compressed between the gasket and block to provide an additional sealing surface. Thats my understanding - Correct ???

 

"Just any old 18 ga. copper wire" will NOT WORK. I got my O-ringed GE block back this summer, and they forgot to send me the wire with the block. So I went to Ace Hardware and picked some up using just this very logic. The block did NOT seal, and I lost all of my coolant into the oil in about a day! After ordering GE's wire, and a new gasket, and upon closer inspection, the Ace Hardware 18 ga. copper wire is VISIBLY fatter than the Golden Eagle 18 ga. Therefore, 18 ga. is NOT 18 ga. everywhere. It is kinda up to the manufacturer of the wire to include sizing variances. Moral = get the wire from the guys that make the groove in your sleeves! NOT from the guys that make if for necklaces and crap.