CTD_Neil

I will have my new turbo shortly. It is setup at the factory for 42psi boost. Will the head gasket be ok? I realize it's just excessive boost that will blow them, but on average what is safe psi? Should I adjust the boost lower than 42 psi? Thanks

600 Megawatts

From what I had read, you dont have anything at all to worry about.

KP

ramtd02

I was told by cummins that the headgasket uis fully "safe" too 50 psi. Infact he said it could prolly handle 55, but that might be playing with fire.

GlennRMK

Some people say they have blown lower then 50 PSI.

But, most say 50 is max and you should be ok under 50.

But like anything, there are no guarantees.

Don M

ARP studs will go a long way to insure you wont spend a weekend R and R'n the head gasket.

Don~

2500CTD

When you put head studs in, would you need to replace the head gasket since anyways? Or can you just replace the bolts and the head clamping forace will still be ok?

mikelr

Just got to replace them one at a time

pc12driver

Mine popped at 40 psi.

2500CTD

One at a time, seems fesible. Might have to break out "wish list"

Popped at 40? That sux. What are you running now? gasket/boost?

fearthedeere

Mine popped between 35-40 my gague doesnt have good marks. and not light. I was dumb enough to play with some ricers and paid for it when i got home. I wanna get it o-ringed, but i dont wanna sell my left nut to do so.

gunracer1

mine has seen 48 for the past couple of thousand miles, it had seen 42 for the previous 60k. and it is still fine. but it seems to be a toss up. i run 20 degrees of timing right now and i know i am playing with fire. but with this hx55 on here it does not build boost till 2k plus so the extra timing does not scare me.

CTD NUT

It is cylinder pressure that pops head gaskets and while boost is an important factor in cylinder pressure, it isn't the only factor. Timing and fueling levels greatly affect cylinder pressure. 42 psi of boost is just fine if you are running a reasonable amount of advance. Another thing to consider is the intended use of the truck.....a truck that spends time towing heavy in the mountains should probably not run 20* of advance and 48 psi of boost. A flatlander that runs around empty most of the time will probably be just fine with that set up because the duration that the engine sees peak cylinder pressure will be short and infrequent compared to the truck that tows heavy in the mountains.

CTD_Neil

Would it be wise to just adjust it to around 38 or so? and play it safe?

pc12driver

That was with a Comp, Mach 2s, and a Dodgezilla during a quick street race while empty. First sign that something was wrong was the voltmeter dropping to zero (oil soaked alternator). I shut it off and trailered it home. Good thing too, since the #1 intake rocker had bits of gasket stuck in the oil passageway.

Anyway, I'm still wastegated at 40 psi, but now I have Van Haisley's fire rings and 12mm head studs.

signature600

Cylinder Drive Pressure also has a lot to do with headgasket failure...the stock turbo is really hard on it in that aspect at higher boost!!

Chris