Best Performance Header Gaskets of 2025
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Performance Header Gaskets are designed to provide a tight seal between the exhaust header and the engine block. They are made from high-quality materials that are resistant to heat, corrosion, and wear, ensuring a long-lasting and reliable performance. These gaskets are specifically engineered to withstand the high temperatures and pressures generated by high-performance engines, preventing exhaust leaks and improving overall engine efficiency. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes to fit different engine configurations and are easy to install, making them a popular choice for automotive enthusiasts and professional mechanics alike.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
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Top 10 Performance Header Gaskets
Allstar Performance Header Gasket ALL87264
The Allstar Header Gasket is designed with a staggered bolt pattern, ensuring a perfect fit for your specific vehicle. This feature helps in creating a reliable seal, preventing leaks and maintaining optimal engine performance. Made in the United States, it reflects quality craftsmanship. The gasket comes in a compact package, measuring 6.5 inches long, 1 inch high, and 3.7 inches wide, making it easy to store or transport. As a vehicle-specific fit type, it guarantees compatibility with your car, simplifying installation and enhancing your overall experience.
Allstar Performance Header Gasket
The Allstar Performance ALL87262 D-Port Header Gasket, 1-3/4" is a steel core laminate gasket designed for small block Chevy engines with a 750 in D port. This gasket is perfect for car enthusiasts who are looking for a reliable and durable gasket to ensure their header fits snugly and securely to their engine.
Mr. Gasket 7177C Copper Gasket
The Mr. Gasket Copper Gasket is a top-quality product designed to enhance your vehicle's performance. It is made from premium materials, ensuring durability and a long lifespan, which means you can rely on it for extended use. The installation process is straightforward, saving you time and effort when setting it up. Additionally, this gasket is crafted specifically for performance, helping to improve the overall efficiency of your engine. With this gasket, you can enjoy a hassle-free upgrade that brings tangible benefits to your driving experience.
Percy 66032 Car Header Gasket
The Percy 66032 Seal-4-Good Flange Gasket is a high-quality car header gasket perfect for those who frequently remove headers. It is made with special "dead soft" aluminum that conforms to flanges, ensuring an excellent seal. This gasket is also designed to be port matched for maximum efficiency.
Allstar Performance Header Gasket ALL87268
The Allstar Header Gasket is an essential auto part designed to enhance your vehicle's performance. With dimensions of 5.8 inches in length, 13.7 inches in width, and 2.15 inches in height, it fits seamlessly into your car's engine setup. Weighing just 0.925 pounds, it is lightweight, making installation easier for you. Proudly made in the United States, you can trust its quality and durability. This gasket is specifically categorized for car headers, ensuring it meets the high standards necessary for effective engine sealing and performance optimization.
Flowtech 99150AFLT Header Gaskets
The Flowtech 99150AFLT Header Gaskets are made of Multi-Layer "Dead Soft" aluminum material which conforms to the header flanges and cylinder heads to create a leak-proof seal. These gaskets are water/weather resistant, re-usable, and suitable for port-matching. They are perfect for 262-400 Chevrolet Small Block Gen I 1955-91 vehicles.
Percy 66011 Gasket
The Percy Gasket is designed specifically for your vehicle, ensuring a perfect fit. With dimensions of 1.27 cm in height, 53.34 cm in length, and 9.906 cm in width, it is compact and easy to handle. Weighing only 0.4 pounds, it is lightweight, making installation a breeze. The part number 66011 helps you quickly identify the right gasket for your needs, providing peace of mind and convenience in your purchase. Choosing the right gasket is crucial for maintaining your vehicle’s performance, and this one delivers reliability and efficiency.
Gibson Performance 9241 Header Gasket
Gibson Header Gasket is a genuine product from Gibson Performance Exhaust. It has a compact package size, with a length of 0.254 centimeters, height of 45.72 centimeters, and width of 7.62 centimeters. The product is designed to provide a perfect fit for your car header and ensure a tight seal. This can help to reduce noise and increase engine efficiency. The Gibson Header Gasket is easy to install and can help to save your time and effort. With its high-quality materials, the gasket can withstand high temperatures and provide a long-lasting seal for your car header.
Mr. Gasket Copper Seal Triangle Collector and Header Muffler Gasket
This car header gasket is designed to prevent exhaust leakage between the header and collector flanges. Its bolt diameter is 3 inch, bolt circle is 3-7/8 and bolt hole is 3/8. The triangle gasket with 3 bolt hole gasket conforms to and seals minor surface irregularities.
Percy Seal-4-Good Gasket 66014
The Percy Gasket 66014 is designed to enhance your vehicle's performance with its durable rectangular/square shape, measuring 1.625 inches by 1.25 inches. As an authorized dealer product, it comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, ensuring you receive a quality item. This gasket is ideal for car headers, providing a reliable seal that helps prevent leaks and maintain optimal engine function. With a warranty included, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your purchase is protected.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are copper header gaskets better?
Copper header gaskets are considered better than composite and MLS gaskets in terms of heat management. Copper, being a better conductor, helps dissipate heat more effectively. It also has direct contact with the block and head, which further aids in transferring heat. Unlike other gaskets, copper prevents heat from getting trapped and causing hot spots.
2. Should I use RTV on exhaust manifold gasket?
RTV (room temperature vulcanizing) sealant should not be used on the entire exhaust manifold gasket. The gasket should be installed clean and dry. However, a small amount of RTV can be applied to the corners of the gasket and any stepped casting areas that have a gap. This helps fill in those areas and ensure a leak-free assembly.
3. Do exhaust gaskets make a difference?
Yes, exhaust manifold gaskets make a significant difference in a car's performance. A faulty gasket can lead to leaking gases, which negatively impact engine performance and efficiency. While it won't cause immediate breakdown, you may experience a noticeable loss of power and acceleration. It is important to address any issues with exhaust gaskets to maintain optimal engine performance.
4. What is the best material for exhaust header gasket?
Copper is considered the best material for exhaust header gaskets. Copper gaskets provide superior thermal conductivity, which helps stabilize head and block temperatures. This conductivity allows them to handle high levels of heat effectively, making copper the ideal choice for exhaust header gaskets.
5. Is it better to have a thicker head gasket?
The thickness of a head gasket can affect compression and sealing. However, it is generally recommended to use the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) specified gasket thickness for most engines. This ensures safe and reliable engine performance by maintaining proper sealing of the combustion chamber and oil and coolant passages.
6. What is the strongest type of head gasket?
Multi-layer steel (MLS) head gaskets are considered the strongest type. They are made of multiple layers of steel, providing durability and a very good seal. However, they can be more challenging to install compared to other types of gaskets.
7. When should you not use RTV sealant?
RTV sealant should not be used in applications where there will be direct exposure to gasoline, such as powersports vehicles. In those cases, a solvent-based gasket maker should be used instead.
8. Can I use Permatex on intake manifold gaskets?
Yes, Permatex offers sealants that are suitable for use on intake manifold gaskets. The Permatex Ultra Gray or Optimum Gray sealants are recommended choices. Additionally, for holding the intake gaskets in place on the head, Edelbrock's Gasgacinch, a contact adhesive, can be used.
During our performance header gasket research, we found 24 performance header gasket products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,361 customer reviews through our big data system to write the performance header gaskets list. We found that most customers choose performance header gaskets with an average price of $26.86.
The performance header gaskets are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of performance header gaskets, including Allstar Performance, Mr. Gasket, Taylor, Flowtech, Percy. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Robert Reyes is a dedicated writer from San Francisco with a bachelor of degree in mechanics and a bachelor of degree in marketing. He focuses on making some complicated topics simple and enjoys explaining complex and technical things in an easy-to-understand way.