YB wire ring head gasket dilema
 

Hi all,
I have created a problem for myself, hope you can help me.
I am building an engine with vgc 200 block . I want to be able to put 2bar boost without fear of blowing head gasket.
The former owner had it wire ringed, I have been advised that with wire ringed block it is not reliable once you get up over 26psi.

Options:
The best solution is to get a coopers ring fitted, great but the gaskets are over 400 pounds before I even get the block done which is just too much for me. But it would work. Why are they sooo dear ?

I have also been told by the company who originally done the engine that they have been reversing the wire ringing by planing the groove out (a whopping 1mm easy) of the block and then shaving the same of pistons. I have standard 4wd pistons, it would just come of the outer edge of piston crown.. Seems radical, has anyone done this on here... is it an option? Actually I would like to raise compression ratio by 1, maybe this could be good after all?

A similar option is to get the block planed as above but use a 1mm (assuming thats how much is take off) cometic MLS gasket. I know they are unreal in standard trim, would this work ? Again once the block is planed you cant go back...

And finally I could just leave the wire ring in , use a 611 and hope it does not blow... but that seems risky as the higher boost will surely blow it in time... I know that once I get going its more when than if.

Other options ?

It sucks that I am not a big bucks guy... I wish I had the money... but I dont.

Boost is totally and utterly irrelevant so whoever told you that doesnt understand the principles of tuning a YB. What matters is cylinder pressures and teh wire rings normally work very well... what power are you expecting, and using what turbocharger?

mine is wire rung and is sweet as a nut, even when i did blow the headgasket due to my own stupidity (was advised to change a hose and didn't, consequently split:cry:) it was was still intact around the combustion chamber, so would say they work pretty well

i run a 2.2bar boost spike and 2.0bar held and i'm on a Group A HeadGasket using standard Ford HeadBolts and my block is just totally Flat along with my cylinder head, and i've never had any issues yet

I also previously run 2 YB engine at 26psi and had no issues either

sorry turbos have been T34.63

<<Boost is totally and utterly irrelevant so whoever told you that doesnt understand the principles of tuning a YB>> I know that its all about cylinder pressure, temp (PV=nRT ...) (I am an industrial chemist / comp sci guy).
I have learnt to adapt to what people are comfortable with. I did not mention that I am looking at a GT30R turbo which reportedly pushes more volume of air at lower pressure than comparable T4 .... But elected not to confuse the question. As you asked about the turbo :-) This turbo may be innefficient at higher pressures (30psi) and not able to achieve the desired hp (540 at engine) its sweet spot is high CFM at lower pressures / temps. I have looked at some alternatives but would like to find something between GT30R and GT35R but have not found it. Do you know of something that fits the bill there ?
I am also looking at cams, compression ratio, porting... as you indicated its more than just pressure... Currently looking at CR around 8.5, mild porting , no change in valves and medium cam with GT30R... if you have a suggestion on this I am very interested...

I have found that many people seem to find it easier to talk in terms of boost pressure than CFM... I don't want to start a war on who knows what...

A lot depends on the use of the car, to hit high boost (wring its neck ) every so often is easier on the gasket than hard charging around the track on a regular basis.
It is in the back of my mind to just stick with what I have currently as suggested and run the higher boost as suggested. The guy who initially built the engine recommended not to, so I am trying to abide by his advise.
I will be doing track days and some road use, I just don't want the car damaged in the future and thinking, I could have prevented this, it may be that there is a workable solution at reasonable cost that I have not encountered.

I appreciate all of your feedback guys...

What are you running with your wire rung block ?

YB0611 grp A

i would also like to know why coopers O ring cost so much!as i got to buy one soon! :cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:

How much is a replacement gasket for coopers ring? I would assume it is less as you should not have to buy the sodium filled fire ring, is that right?