Head Gasket Mod, is it really worth it?

moss

moss

New member
Joined
Oct 23, 2006
Messages
221
Location
Ottawa
Website
www.youtube.com
So I've been toying with the idea of doing the head gasket mod, but I am abit concerned. I know what it does, and how it makes power. Everyone says it will not affect reliability, but you are taking gasket out, logic would say that would make the gasket more prone to failure. Is that the case? Has anyone had a gasket go that has done this mod?

I'm also concerned with how much of a gain I will really see with a stock sled (only mod I have is reed spacers) If I am going to crack the head at all, I want to know I will feel a noticable difference through the entire Range, and not just 2-3hp. I would hope it would be at least 5 or more. I did a search, and could not really find any reference to any HP numbers.

Also reading through the tech how to, the instructions say you need to drain the rad fluid, but is this really needed to just take the head off? Isn't the system a closed system, so I can take the head off without any anti-freeze coming out?
 
This and the clutch setup from the Tech pages REALLY woke my 97 up. The 600's are VERY conservative on compression. Just folow the steps and when your all done you'll be happy with the performance of your sled. By the way, that is me on my 97 XTC in my avatar. Stepped it off and I flew right at 100 ft. LOL!! I was fairly light in this pic. Only about 250 lbs. I am about 290 now LOL! Still have this machine and use ti for my son to ride. Dead even with my 02 Viper to about 70 mph. Hope this helped you.

Dave
 
moss said:
Also reading through the tech how to, the instructions say you need to drain the rad fluid, but is this really needed to just take the head off? Isn't the system a closed system, so I can take the head off without any anti-freeze coming out?
Click to expand...

Anti-freeze will come out when you take the head off, there are coolant passages in the head and jugs. Draining will keep the mess to a minimum.
 
Viper_Dave said:
This and the clutch setup from the Tech pages REALLY woke my 97 up. The 600's are VERY conservative on compression. Just folow the steps and when your all done you'll be happy with the performance of your sled. By the way, that is me on my 97 XTC in my avatar. Stepped it off and I flew right at 100 ft. LOL!! I was fairly light in this pic. Only about 250 lbs. I am about 290 now LOL! Still have this machine and use ti for my son to ride. Dead even with my 02 Viper to about 70 mph. Hope this helped you.

Dave
Click to expand...

Dave,

Thanks for the feedback, do you know aprox how many seasons and miles you would have put on this sled since doing the mod?

Moss
 
I have put 4500 KM since the head gasket mod on my 700SXR without failure.
I removed 2 layers as a matter of fact and no issues at all.
You feel the difference when riding.
 
Did this right after replacing pistons and jugs. I had the famous ring retaining pin meltdown. Have about 5,000 miles on it and still runs good. About 2 seasons of riding. The last 1,000 or so was ridden by my son. When I picked up my Viper in December of 01, I MADE him ride the 600. He wanted to ride his 91 Phazer. After about an hour of riding we stopped and he said "WWWOOOOHHHHOOOOO!! This thing is WAY better than my old Phazer". You get the point LOL!
 
I did the same mod on my 2000 sx700r. I only removed the metal center of the gasket, tho. Very reliable. I rebuilt the motor from the crank case up. New coated Wiseco pistons, bender triples, etc, etc, etc. Never even fouled one plug all season. Go for it, you'll love it.

The only thing I found tho, that it is a little bit harder to pull due to the increased compression when first starting it. I thought, at times, I was going to break the pull cord. lol

Also recommend you run premium after doing this.

-1CS
 
remove the center gasket as it says to do. The center is like a metal spacer and the top and bottom are actual gasket like material. If you remove the top or the bottom you are asking for trouble, there is no way that you can seal a metal spacer. 11,000 miles on mine. I think I did the head gasket mod around 3500-4000 mi. good luck
 
BBlueSRX, Ryan B was answering Dave_Vmax600's question about which layer to KEEP, not get rid of like I think you thought he meant. You can remove two layers and just keep either the top or the bottom.

If the sled is not piped you can very safely remove 2 layers of gasket and just run the top or bottom... many people have ran just 1 layer with pipes too and they haven't had too many problems, but it's more risky if you get a bad batch of fuel. My opinion is it would be more reliable to just keep 1 layer and lightly spray with some High Tack gasket spray...

Having said all that I removed 1 layer off my 600 triple a couple seasons ago... put on an easy 7,000 kms and didn't have any gasket problems. You can feel the throttle response is more crisp more than anything but there is a slight power increase that is noticeable aswell.
 
Thanks Guys, this makes be feel more confident about this mod, seeing as no one has complained about issue's after doing this mod, and some of you guys have ran quite a few miles on your sleds after this.

So from the sounds of it, not really alot of HP to be gained but a better feeling and crisper throttle response...if I have the time in the next few days I will try and do this.
 
change_up said:
BBlueSRX, Ryan B was answering Dave_Vmax600's question about which layer to KEEP, not get rid of like I think you thought he meant. You can remove two layers and just keep either the top or the bottom.
Click to expand...

ahh yes. Maybe I will try reading next time around............
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


Back
Top