N54 Head Gasket Recommendations

[SLOWESTN54]

Hey boys, In the process of building my N54 at the moment, and was wondering what headgasket to go with. Currently I've acquired Manley turbo tuff rods, JE 9.5.1 pistons, 11mm headstuds from Vac, King main and rod bearings, with the updated bmw crank hub design. Shooting for a 800whp setup, not looking to run it there at all times though maybe a few pulls.

 

[wheela]

Did you decide on a turbo kit?

 

[SLOWESTN54]

Did you decide on a turbo kit?

It’s currently being made in my garage. I’ll upload pictures once it’s done

 

[JohnDaviz]

Athena Cutring Headgasket

 

[SLOWESTN54]

Athena Cutring Headgasket

I’ve been trying to find a place that’s reputable to buy one. On Athena’s website I can’t find a head gasket for a N54

 

[JohnDaviz]

VAC Motorsports Cooper Ring Cutting Ring Head Gasket, BMW N54

Never worry about blowing an OE head gasket again in your N54 powered BMW!

store.vacmotorsports.com

 

[SLOWESTN54]

VAC Motorsports Cooper Ring Cutting Ring Head Gasket, BMW N54

Never worry about blowing an OE head gasket again in your N54 powered BMW!

store.vacmotorsports.com

Thanks! Didn’t realize they were the same product.

 

[JohnDaviz]

Thanks! Didn’t realize they were the same product.

yeah. Same thing.

Athena is the producer and there are some Resellers with Rebranding. I think i even asked VAC a year ago if it is the same and they said yes.

 

[SLOWESTN54]

yeah. Same thing.

Athena is the producer and there are some Resellers with Rebranding. I think i even asked VAC a year ago if it is the same and they said yes.

Oh, im assuming it’s how arp is with Vac as well. Do you know if this would fit with 11mm corner head studs or will I need to modify it a bit

 

[JohnDaviz]

i am sure it won´t be an issue. But if the modification will be easy as it is a really soft material.

 

[SLOWESTN54]

Does your car have a built motor @JohnDaviz ?
Also ordered the head gasket thanks!

 

[fmorelli]

VAC also carries Cometic, which is what I bought:

VAC Motorsports Performance Multi Layered Steel Head Gasket, BMW N54

Bore - Thickness: 85 mm - 0.044"; 85 mm - 0.052".

store.vacmotorsports.com

 

[SLOWESTN54]

VAC also carries Cometic, which is what I bought:

VAC Motorsports Performance Multi Layered Steel Head Gasket, BMW N54

Bore - Thickness: 85 mm - 0.044"; 85 mm - 0.052".

store.vacmotorsports.com

Did it seem better them oem? Also its available in a size thinner then OEM, would that bump compression up?

 

[JohnDaviz]

VAC also carries Cometic, which is what I bought:

VAC Motorsports Performance Multi Layered Steel Head Gasket, BMW N54

Bore - Thickness: 85 mm - 0.044"; 85 mm - 0.052".

store.vacmotorsports.com

i don´t know anything about cometic.. but isn´t that "just" an MLS gasket like OEM?

The cutring solution is the way to go imho

 

[JohnDaviz]

Does your car have a built motor @JohnDaviz ?
Also ordered the head gasket thanks!

yep. ported head, bigger exhaust valves, closed deck with forged mahle pistons, fcp rods and arp std studs.

 

[island road]

Jump bumping this up.

I am swapping on an N52 head to my N54. Stock Internals, I plan down the road to upgrade internals. Doing an ST build using 8474 1.06 AR.

Seeing as I plan down the road "Next Summer" to upgrade the internals can i get away with stock HG and Studs for now?

 

[SLOWESTN54]

i don´t know anything about cometic.. but isn´t that "just" an MLS gasket like OEM?

The cutring solution is the way to go imho

Power goals for now?

 

[island road]

Power goals for now?

700whp around there - Peak TQ about 4600RPM - Will be upping rev limit to around 7600 with the N52 head.

 

[SLOWESTN54]

700whp around there - Peak TQ about 4600RPM - Will be upping rev limit to around 7600 with the N52 head.

you may want to consider studs and a upgraded headgasket, just for safe measure. Avoid a Elring head gasket all together.

 

[island road]

you may want to consider studs and a upgraded headgasket, just for safe measure. Avoid a head gasket all together.

Going M11 all around and stock HG for now. I plan on taking apart the engine next season and not going crazy right now with the N52 head, just sorting the car out. Going to keep the HP on the low side sub 650whp but I do plan on upping the rev limit to 7600rpm with the head.