Head lift under sustained boost?...HEEEEEEEEELP!!!

[Glenn]

Motor: B16A3 stock internally
Turbo: T3/T04e @ 9psi
Symptoms: Blowing coolant into reservior after full boost sustained runs. Assumed to be caused by head lifting due to elongated head bolts.

Will new head bolts/studs (ARP?) help?
Should I just torque down my current head bolts?
Will a new gasket help?

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18 Stickers
18" Wheels
18 second club

[VaporTrail]

Well, if the head is indeed lifting, which seems unlikely, then ARP studs will cure your problem. However, it doesnt seem like that is the problem, as usually that becomes a problem at pressures upwards of 15-17psi. I would check for detonation.

[Peyomp]

I agree. ARP studs torqued to their much higher spec and a new honda headgasket will give you more protection against head lift due to detonation. But at those boost levels you aren't gonna lift your head without severe detonation. You should address that problem directly.

[12SecGSR]

Peyomp - you mention much higher torque spec's for ARP's... they told me to use stock torque when installing mine... I called Kenny Tran and asked him as well, and he agreed (he said stock or 5 over) so I went 5lbs heavier. Did they recomend you to torque them harder? If so, to what specs?

[B20C5 Turbo]

What does your temperature gauge say?

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Worry does not banish tomorrow of it's weakness, it robs today of it's strength.

Mark Bremer
Phantom Motorsport
SLC, Utah

[Peyomp]

Yeah you're right. Unless the block is torque plate honed, you must use the stock torque spec.

My bad.

[gsrev]

donno, but sounds like a blown head gasket if you are getting coolant in you oil. Just may have a small pin hole leak right now, but it will get worse. I seriously doubt your head is lifting off you block at that psi. But incase you are wondering arp head studs are about 120.00. I used stock +5 on the torque specs as it requested. The type of lube you use makes a difference for the torque specs. In the directions it even tells you that if you use 30w oil, you need to torque down harder than if you use arp molly grease.

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Objective.. descent dragster and autocrosser
that is BARELY street legal

1992 Red Honda Civic CX Hatch Back... COMING VERY SOON:
B18C1 hybrid
JRSC 13psi, OBD1 GSR ECU
JR BTC,MSD ignition, Venom 320cc injectors, cartec FMU, JE 9:1 pistons, Total Seal piston rings, Eagle rods (endyn), ARP Head studs, ARP rod bolts, Modified 3" CAI, DC Sports 4-2-1 header, 3"custom exhaust, B&M fuel guage, Autometer electric fuel pressure, air/fuel, & boost guage, Quaife LSD
ET drags 22x8x15 for the strip and 205/45/15 nitto 555r for the street. Ground Control coil overs, KYB AGX adjustable shocks, Ingall's camber kit, ITR rear sway bar, Neuspeed front strut brace, GSR rear disc brakes, Weight reduction (weighing in at 1865 w/o driver)

1998 Super Sonic Blue Integra GS-R (completely stock now)
With jrsc at 6psi best 1320: 13.783 @101.43 on drag radials