Head gasket and cam questions

[Greymare]

Hello all,

I got a head gasket that is leaks under full boost. The car rides and drives fine but as soon as you put it under heavy boost it breaks up bad. I want to put new head gaskets on it but I am not sure what I should buy. I am making 26# and spraying 75 shot. Any suggestions? I also want to put head studs in the engine while I have it out. Anyone have a part number for the ARP head stud kit?

I also may have enough extra cash to put Cams in the car. I don't want any extra HP just the sound at idle. Anyone know what cams I should go with?

 

[Cobra03SC]

I would call around and get a cam best for your application. If all you want is chop then stg 3 or 4 cams from most major companys will give you that, but you will hurt your power. You can get a balance of sound and performance by getting either a custom ground cam or one thats off the shelf and right for your mods. You will have to upgrade your valve train to handle a choppy cam also with some better springs. I went with the felpro head gaskets and havent had a issue. There are a few options to pick from. Head studs are a must especially at that boost level. These are the ones i used.
ARP 2000 Series Cylinder Head Stud Kit - Hardware - Engine - 03-04 SVT Cobra

 

[GodStang]

A custom cam is always best and usually not much more than an OTS cam. Also depends how wild you want to go with a cam. You want near stock than the 96-98 intake cams are very nice. If you want wild OTS there is Crower or Comp cams plus others.

 

[Juiced46]

How do you know that your breaking up under heavy boost is due to a bad head gasket? Its very very very rare for these engines to have headgasket problems

 

[Cobra03SC]

How do you know that your breaking up under heavy boost is due to a bad head gasket? Its very very very rare for these engines to have headgasket problems

@ 26 lbs and a 75 shot on stock head bolts i wouldn't be surprised if he lifted the head.

 

[Juiced46]

@ 26 lbs and a 75 shot on stock head bolts i wouldn't be surprised if he lifted the head.

Doubtful. It takes alot to get these heads to lift. Like I said its very rare to have headgasket problems on these cars. I have multiple 03-04 Cobras that have been living for years on 26-29psi on stock untouched motors.

If anything. I would bet if you tore down that motor you will see some pistons melted/starting to melt or soon to be broken ringlands if they are not already with a setup like that.

Id love to see what the compression test looks like on that motor.

 

[Greymare]

Because I can see it dripping off the head and the plug is yellow.