[vdharris]

Hello all,
Does anyone know the thickness of the OEM head gasket for the 2016-2018 (part number: 11004-0759)? The KHI racing kit manual lists it at .85mm but an online parts vendor seems to think it's .65mm. It's possible the discrepancy stems from the fact that the OEM gaskets for Gens 1-4 were all .65mm and the reseller failed to update their site info for the 2016+. When in doubt I'll stick with the KHI numbers but was wondering if anyone knew of something different.

Thanks!

 

[97grnrs]

0.85

 

[vdharris]

Thank you sir, much appreciated! Late last night I remembered I hadn't yet thrown away my original gasket. This morning I measured it with a micrometer and sure enough it's .85mm. The scary part is I think I figured out where the bad info on the reseller's site is coming from: Kawasaki. The Kaw website lists the available head gaskets under Motorcycle Accessories and the page for every one I checked states: Standard is .65mm Here's a link for the curious: 2016 ZX-10 Head Gasket

Guys, please be mindful of this discrepancy when changing head gaskets. Were it not for the racing kit manual I would have been under the impression that the OEM gasket was .65mm and replaced it with one of the same size. The deck height measurements I've done for my motor show that .65mm would be far too tight and could quite possibly cause damage. Makes me wonder if this is the culprit behind reports of PTH contact on some ZX-10 motors.

 

[97grnrs]

You can safely run 0.65 with no issues. I run this. Pth is enough, I've seen guys run less but not advised

 

[KiwiEd]

.65 is also what I run, tried .55 but the figures were not right according to the kit manual, which is not to say you couldn't as I'd say you can and plenty do but I'm cautious, not wealthy and very sympathetic to engines I build. I hate going to the track and having mechanical failures, way to much goes into just getting there, so for me, I follow what the KRT experts recommend..

 

[TheGreekNinja]

Thinking to change for .65 gasket to my 2016 krt as well. Any advice if any cam timing degree needed when you go for a thinner gasket and did you tried KRT Camshafts as well or only the gasket? Also head can get out easily or engine have to be removed from the bike?

 

[SeventeenRR]

Thinking to change for .65 gasket to my 2016 krt as well. Any advice if any cam timing degree needed when you go for a thinner gasket and did you tried KRT Camshafts as well or only the gasket? Also head can get out easily or engine have to be removed from the bike?

Running a .60 on my 17RR per EDR’s recommendation. A thinner gasket will retard timing by a drop, but depending on what you’re trying to do may not require a redegree.

@97grnrs has degreed stock cams quite extensively I believe. I don’t have experience degreeing the stock cams only with the RR kit cams. The KRT intake cam (not the RR version) is the same duration with .2mm more lift, so maybe his numbers would work for that as I think he’s fairly close to the race manual numbers which I don’t believe are bad. The KRT intake cam would probably be worth it if doing the work yourself as the cam is only~$200 and you don’t need different valve springs.

You can actually get the head out without dropping the engine by sliding it out of the front, but it would be a massive pain in the ass to try and time because you can’t really get to the cam bolts while it’s in the frame.

 

[KiwiEd]

Thinking to change for .65 gasket to my 2016 krt as well. Any advice if any cam timing degree needed when you go for a thinner gasket and did you tried KRT Camshafts as well or only the gasket? Also head can get out easily or engine have to be removed from the bike?

It's way easier to do all the work when the engine is out. Cam timing figures are 110/108 and you will need to check your piston / valve clearances as well. Just fitting a .65 head gasket without doing the rest is possible I think but to reap the benefits do the rest. Cleaning the ports up a bit is also good.

 

[TheGreekNinja]

Excellent Infos. Thanks, both guys! Many have mentioned that changing to KRT int Cam has cause to a lossof low/mid range power. Is that something you guys know of?

 

[KiwiEd]

Excellent Infos. Thanks, both guys! Many have mentioned that changing to KRT int Cam has cause to a lossof low/mid range power. Is that something you guys know of?

I don't know first hand but that definitely seems to be the consensus. I would think the KRT cam would be suited to fast open tracks and top level racers who can keep the engine revving at the rpm's the cams work in.

 

[TheGreekNinja]

I don't know first hand but that definitely seems to be the consensus. I would think the KRT cam would be suited to fast open tracks and top level racers who can keep the engine revving at the rpm's the cams work in.

Yeap seems so. Will check further if i can find any more information.

 

[Abdullahzx10rr]

Any info on ignition timing while running the krt intake cam and a .60 headgasket on a 17 RR

 

[OveRReV]

Any info on ignition timing while running the krt intake cam and a .60 headgasket on a 17 RR

Ignition timing requirements vary from engine to engine, fuel octane, compression ratio etc. will affect how much ignition timing is needed for max power. Get the fuel map sorted before you fiddle with ignition timing, are you using kit ECU?

 

[Abdullahzx10rr]

Hello, im using the dealer woolich flash! But my ignition is advanced to 37 at redline! Another guy told me im losing power by adding ignition and that i should revert it back to 32 (stock) at 100% throttle

 

[OveRReV]

Hello, im using the dealer woolich flash! But my ignition is advanced to 37 at redline! Another guy told me im losing power by adding ignition and that i should revert it back to 32 (stock) at 100% throttle

Too much ignition advance will lose power & could cause engine damage, I would put the ignition timing back to stock until the fuel map is done good, only then would I adjust ignition advance. I gained a little power changing ignition timing but every little bit helps.

 

[Abdullahzx10rr]

My fueling is top notch! Heres my afr..

 

[Abdullahzx10rr]

But my question is.. if im running a thinner head gasket and the intake cam! Is my ignition better at stock value or 37?? At redline?? 12% added