All full metal gaskets are very much stronger than composite head gaskets.    Laminates (usually three layers) have a channel rolled into the two outer layers.    Our gaskets have a fire ring or flattened O-ring as an integral part of the metal gasket on both sides of the gasket.    They eliminate the need to machine either the head or the block for O-ring grooves.    Their construction makes them able to resist the severest of combustion chamber environments

Burton Power U.K. had a Cosworth test performed, where the 2.0 litre YB Cosworth engine running @ 3500 rpm cranked out 468.7ft/lbs (635.4Nm) of torque and 312.4 bhp @ 2 bar boost pressure.    Our entry level gasket held up throughout the duration of these test runs.

Unlike composite gaskets and multi layer shim type gaskets, our steel models do not compress, are resistant to a certain amount of detonation and heat and can be used many times over.    They should always be used with a high temperature barrier compound like Victor Reinz REINZOSIL or equivalent before each assembly.

Copper models are used when combustion temperatures are very much higher usually because of high compression ratios and boost pressure, and the use of aromatics and additives.

Stainless steel gaskets are used with a barrier compound in very severe combustion chamber conditions often very high boost applications with strong doses of N₂O.

To double the force would more than likely stretch the bolts as a permanent elongation would take place known as the permanent set.

Tripling the force and exceeding the ultimate tensile strength of the bolt or stud would cause it to fracture or shear off.    Using a bolt or stud with a thicker shank and quadruppled the force this would lift the threaded bosses cracking the block surface and warping it destroying any chance of a good seal.

What we have done is to reduce the surface area to be clamped by up to 700% which has the same effect as increasing the applied force.

It can be common practice to machine large amounts off a cylinder head to increase compression.    This is a waste of a good head.    Rather fit a thinner reuseable REDLINE gasket which could also improve the squish height and at the same time you have a very strong gasket capable of holding very high cylinder pressures at elevated compression ratios.

Often there is a need for a gasket with a bigger than .040" or even .060" overbore.    More often than not these gaskets aren't freely available.    We custom make gaskets to your requirements as the gasket's fire ring should not stick out over the cylinder wall into the combustion chamber as this could be a source for detonation, the piston could collide with it at higher revs or a valve could catch it.    There are many other reasons involving flow characteristics and burning of the mixture in the combustion chamber.

High boost pressures and heavy doses of N₂O raise the combustion temperature so do engines running high compression ratios on high octane fuels.    Any of these severe applications require a severe duty head gasket.    Our stainless steel gaskets are used in this type of environment with one of the high temperature barrier compounds as mentioned above.

We not only carry stock of non-standard cylinder head gaskets but also make to your specific requirements.

REDLINE gaskets have no added stopper layers nor do they compress like composite gaskets and laminates.    Once you have torqued the studs or non-stretch bolts, you need not recheck the fasteners.