how much thicker of a headgasket do i need?

[matthew_rhodes]

currently I'm running right around 185 lbs of compression with a .038 head gasket. i need to get it down to 165lbs max. how thick should my new head gaskets be?

 

[megaladon6]

i highly doubt you'd be able to do it with the gasket.
why do you want to drop it 20 psi?

 

[matthew_rhodes]

i highly doubt you'd be able to do it with the gasket.
why do you want to drop it 20 psi?

rules of the class im in. its a racecar.
how else would i do it? im basically built it to be as low as possible.

 

[megaladon6]

What pistons do you have and can you use?
all i can think of is valve reliefs and/or dishing

 

[matthew_rhodes]

already has 4 valve reliefs. no dish pistons.

 

[pontiacgp]

how new is the engine?

 

[matthew_rhodes]

how new is the engine?

brand new rebuild

 

[AlanB]

I've never heard of using compression reading as a rule for a racing engine. Around here, NJ, vacuum rules are common. How is it checked, cranking compression?

I was curious and started searching and found this.
http://www.iskycams.com/techtips.html[url] So, wouldn't a bigger cam reduce your number?

 

[pontiacgp]

I'd run the engine hard a few time and do as many hot laps that you can and then check it again using the same equipment the tech guys do. If you built the engine with a legal crank, cam, pistons and heads then the engine specs should be ok. Do you have a link to the rules?

 

[Pontiac455]

Well for starters i would check out the heads, casting number and find out what the conbustion chamber cc's are. Then next u can change yer cam, one with more duration will bleed off compression. U can go with a little thicker gasket but yer not gonna get a whole bunch out by doing that.