copper head gasket

[StudlyCamaro]

has anyone thought about making a copper gasket to create a little more volume in the cylinders to avoid such a high CR??

[Corpse]

For what application? For Hybrid 3.4 Setups? Well, I don't know exactly for the 3.4 because, I've never looked it up but, you can get copper shims form the 89MM bore V6's like the 2.8/3.1, I'd imagine they are probably the same part number or, at least available for the 3.4 engines. (I would believe they are different on a 3.4 due to the meatier block)

The only issue is, you are not supposed to really just go larger on the head gasket size. You will end up changing the position of the heads in relation the the intake manifold. No good. These shims are made for if you get the heads milled.

What you really need to do to actually solve the problem would be to either Change the pistons for a larger dished piston or low compression-heighted piston. Or, have the combustion chambers machined larger. one other aproach would be to change cam timing so as to lose some air to lose compression, this is a bad approach though.

You can however use a slightly thicker head gasket but, you don't want to go too thick or else you are basically asking for trouble. Also, if you add a thicker gasket the piston will be further from the cylinder head which will also hinder combustion.

Unfortunately, the professional way would be to get a new set of pistons to meet the requirements of the setup, as oppposed to using a "band-aid" approach.

I got a set of really sweet pistons on ebay for $60, wait for a deal or something. You could of course get shorter connecting rods but, that is not really a valid option normally.

-Dave

[StudlyCamaro]

im just trying to find a simple way of running the alumnium heads with my stock pistons for now till i have the money for a set of dished pistons,

i wouldnt be using that thick of a copper gasket that would throw the manifold that far off, just enough to reduce the CR to a safe ammount

[geoffinbc]

Run premium gas. You will has shit loads of power

[nitz]

Correct me if I'm wrong but dont copper head gaskets raise your comp. ratio?

[RidgeRunner]

Copper head gaskets in and of themselves do not change compression ratio. Any material head gasket of different thickness will. So a copper head gasket that's thicker than stock will actually lower the compression ratio. A thinner gasket will raise it.

[StudlyCamaro]

yeah , im sorry i didnt make that clear did I .. i am thinking of making a gasket thats thicker out of copper to make a little more room and reduce the CR