how much does an opticool gasket reduce compression? shouldnt u mill the head to compensate? or do the head mod to get all the compression the same? thanks guys what kind of head ccs can you get by using premium pump gas?
Devilin AblueDress!
New member
I don't think the Opticool effects the compression like other aftermarket gaskets. If you want to and have the $ getting the head mod would be even better. Keep in mind you then have to tune that carb for even compression across all 3. I have a 04 Viper S with needles raised to 3.25, opticool gasket. Will be adding rear cooler. If you are or are planning on running triple pipes I would look into SRX carbs (richer tubes, all 3 same as PTO on Viper) and I would say rear cooler mandatory.
Agpetro
Member
The Bender head mod is for triple pipes not a stock viper engine, I take it you are talking about a viper right?? The mod evens out the compression so the engine runs better with triple pipes. I believe the opticool head gasket is a bit thicker then the oem gasket which would lower the compression. Chris (super1c) would know, I believe before he said it lowers the compression. For some reason when I had my viper done the compression is at 125psi across the board. If I remember right I think the number members on here say is 115psi with the opticool gasket. When it comes to running premium gas you should always run it in you're sled. I have a neighbor that is"TOO CHEAP" to run premium gas in his sled. 87 was fine he said.... I don't remember how many pistons he took out, well over five. About every 20-100miles he would eat a piston. Got to love them polaris 600 triples!! LOl
super1c
Super Moderator
Yes the opticool does lower the comp. I cant remember exact numbers as my notes are north but it was a good 5+ psi per cylinder.
mile9c1
New member
I put an Opticool on my viper in December and it was the exact same thickness of the stock one. So, it can't possibly lower the compression. Super, maybe you had a thinner gasket to begin with? My sled was stock and I specifically measured because some people said they removed a layer from the Opticool (I did not).
Agpetro
Member
I never did look at the difference between my stock gasket and the opticool. I just remember there being a thread on here last season talking about how the opticool was thicker and lowered the compression.
super1c
Super Moderator
Maybe bender changed its thickness but the ones I put on a couple of seasons ago were obviously thicker. Just by sight removing one layer would have brought it pretty close to stock thickness. My comp dropped with the install. I had a stock unaltered head gasket on. I installed this on all three of my vipers and they all dropped exactly the same amount. So not sure why the difference.
mile9c1
New member
That's why I checked my Opticool with digital calipers. I was a bit relieved they were the same because I didn't want to separate the layers on a new gasket. I purchased mine last Fall.
Agpetro
Member
I have a feeling that I have the same thickness as the oem one. I never did have compression loss from it.
uberfraznb
New member
The Opticool head gasket has a larger bore diameter than the stock Viper head gasket (probably to accommodate big bores and overbores). The resulting increase in combustion chamber volume will lower the compression.