Robliddle

Has anyone used a decomp plate with one head gasket and some thermal sealing paste and had good results?

big_wasa

What about the Focus Rs 1.8mm heavy skim head gasket instead. It's not cheap but it can't be much more than a plate and gasket.

Robliddle

Not sure what option to use, lots of people say they have got good results with decomp plates but there is not much info on best way to actually fit them.
I was also looking at some low comp Accralite pistons from Burton Power but have read some old posts saying they are rubbish.

nevsrevs

Plenty of other choices of Pistons

big_wasa

It really depends on the power you want but if cash isn't the issue go with pistons and rods and do it once every time.

Ona budget, If your happy with 220~250 just drop the cr a tiny bit. If your happy with 300bhp ish go with the st bottom end. If you want more it's got to be done with pistons and rods.

Robliddle

Whats the crack with the Vauxhall c20let pistons. Having read lots of info on the zetec turbo subject, altering the Vauxhall pistons to fit the zetec rods seems to crop up lots but a set of these pistons dose not seem that much cheaper than ones actually designed for the zetec , unless I'm looking in the wrong place. By the time you have factored in a re-bore and pin alteration as far as I can see there is not much difference in price.

Robliddle

With the st170 bottom end does the compression ratio still have to be lowered or is it some where near for 200 is Bhp??

nevsrevs

Will be fine, with st170 bottom end, head gasket and blacktop head, 200-280hp

Robliddle

without any alteration to the CR, with the st170 head gasket?
sounds good.

nevsrevs

Yea 4 layer st head gasket, sorted

Robliddle

Ive located a full engine locally £300 all in.
Not sure if that's a good price or not. would just need to get hold of a black top head.