Andy
09-25-2006, 09:17 PM
Hey guys,
I have a question regarding gasket material. The car in question is not a BMW, but I just wanted to get your opinion since you all seem more knowledgeable than any of the other sites I visit. I figure this might be a good question at the sametime; whether BMW or not.
Anyway, I have a 240SX and I am swapping in an SR20 soon. I pulled off my intake manifold to clean the inside of it before I swap it in, and before I put it back on I want to replace the gasket. I was told that an intake manifold gasket from a 93 Sentra SE-R is the same exact gasket. It has the SR20DE engine (non-turbo)
I tried to get this gasket (for the Sentra. They don't carry SR20 parts) from the dealer, but they were out. I went to Salvo Auto and they had one. I just picked it up and noticed that it is not metal like the one I pulled off my engine. It is the same exact design, just made of the composite material (cardboard-like). Do you guys think it is safe to use, or should I hold out for a metal one. I can order one specifically made for the SR20. It will just take a little long to get here. :dunno I can wait though if it is recomended I get the metal one.
My main question is will the composite gasket work fine, or will it deteriorate much faster since the engine was designed for FI(engine runs hotter? :dunno)? Are intake manifold gaskets metal on FI engines for a reason? I plan to keep the car fairly stock right now, but I do plan to track (road course, not dragstrip) it a few times a year. My eventual plan is to build my spare SR20 engine for ~350whp. Once it is built, i will just swap engines out. My guestimate would be over 2 years before that happens though.
What do you guys think/recommend?
Thanks!
I have a question regarding gasket material. The car in question is not a BMW, but I just wanted to get your opinion since you all seem more knowledgeable than any of the other sites I visit. I figure this might be a good question at the sametime; whether BMW or not.
Anyway, I have a 240SX and I am swapping in an SR20 soon. I pulled off my intake manifold to clean the inside of it before I swap it in, and before I put it back on I want to replace the gasket. I was told that an intake manifold gasket from a 93 Sentra SE-R is the same exact gasket. It has the SR20DE engine (non-turbo)
I tried to get this gasket (for the Sentra. They don't carry SR20 parts) from the dealer, but they were out. I went to Salvo Auto and they had one. I just picked it up and noticed that it is not metal like the one I pulled off my engine. It is the same exact design, just made of the composite material (cardboard-like). Do you guys think it is safe to use, or should I hold out for a metal one. I can order one specifically made for the SR20. It will just take a little long to get here. :dunno I can wait though if it is recomended I get the metal one.
My main question is will the composite gasket work fine, or will it deteriorate much faster since the engine was designed for FI(engine runs hotter? :dunno)? Are intake manifold gaskets metal on FI engines for a reason? I plan to keep the car fairly stock right now, but I do plan to track (road course, not dragstrip) it a few times a year. My eventual plan is to build my spare SR20 engine for ~350whp. Once it is built, i will just swap engines out. My guestimate would be over 2 years before that happens though.
What do you guys think/recommend?
Thanks!