BMW N20 / N26 Cut Ring Head Gasket by Athena-SCE

This Athena Cut Ring Head Gasket is specifically engineered to replace BMW part 11128676519, 11128676514, and 11127620698 for the BMW N20 and N26 engines. Factory OEM & MLS head gaskets are only engineered to handle a limited amount of cylinder pressures before they start to leak, causing a range of issues, including engine overheating, loss of power, misfires, and in severe cases, catastrophic engine failure. Athena-SCE Cut Ring Head Gaskets are uniquely designed to handle increased cylinder pressure caused by power modifications, making them the recommended choice for applications making 16+ psi. Design: Athena-SCE's gasket body is composed of Motorgasket, a reinforced material developed by Athena's R&D department. This consists of a steel core covered with two layers of asbestos-free aramid fibre and offers excellent thermal and mechanical resistance without compromising its ability to adapt to mating surfaces. To ensure maximum sealing under all conditions, a silicone bead is also applied to critical sealing areas, such as oil and coolant passages.  The AISI 304 stainless steel cooper rings bite into the aluminum head, providing maximum sealing around the cylinder bore and optimizing engine performance, even on engines with nitrous and/or turbo applications that exceed 2 bar boost. Please be aware that the gasket should be 0.5mm to 1mm larger than the piston. For example, if the piston measures 84mm, then the gasket should be the next size up, either 84.5mm or 85mm. CR330070 Installation instructions: Make sure that the engine block and cylinder head surfaces are clean, flat, and free from any debris, oil, or coolant. Install the Cut Ring gasket on the engine block and ensure that it is properly aligned. Avoid twisting or bending the gasket during installation. Place the cylinder head on top of the gasket and install the head bolts or studs in their correct positions. Follow the manufacturer's recommended torque specifications and tighten the bolts or studs in the proper sequence to ensure even clamping force across the gasket. After the initial tightening, re-torque the head bolts or studs after the engine has been started and then allowed to cool to room temperature. This will ensure that the gasket is properly seated and compressed. It is recommended to not use any additional sealant on the gasket; it is already coated with a silicone bead sealant. Using additional sealant can hinder the performance of the gasket. Notes on Preparation and Installation: Before installation, it is crucial to have the mating surfaces of both the cylinder head and the block professionally cleaned and resurfaced to ensure they are completely flat/straight. It is the responsibility of the engine builder to measure each cooper ring height and verify uniformity across all rings.  After initial assembly, it is necessary to allow the engine to complete a full heat cycle, then re-torque your head studs to spec. This means allowing the engine to warm up to its normal operating temperature, remain at operating temperature for several minutes to ensure each component is uniformly heated, then turned off and cooled completely to ambient temperature. BMW N20 Applications: 1 Series 2011-2015     F20/F21     116i / 118i / 120i / 125i 2 Series 2014-2016     F22/F23     220i / 228i 3 Series 2012-2016     F30/F31     320i / 328i 2013-2016     F34     320i / 328i GT 4 Series 2013-2016     F32/F33     420i / 428i 5 Series 2011-2017     F10/F11     520i / 528i 2011-2017     F07     520i / 528i GT X1 Series 2012-2017     E84     X1 sDrive20i / xDrive20i / xDrive28i X3 Series 2012-2017     F25     X3 sDrive20i / xDrive20i / xDrive28i X4 Series 2014-2016     F26     X4 xDrive20i / xDrive28i X5 Series 2013-2014     F15     X5 xDrive25i / xDrive28i Z Series 2011-2016     E89     Z4 sDrive20i / sDrive28i BMW N26 Applications: 3 Series 2013-2016     F30/F31     320i / 328i / 328i xDrive 2014-2016     F34     328i / 328i xDrive GT 4 Series 2014-2016     F32/F33     428i / 428i xDrive 2014-2016     F36     428i / 428i xDrive Gran Coupe 5 Series 2012-2016     F10     528i / 528i xDrive X1 Series 2013-2015     E84     X1 xDrive28i X3 Series 2013-2017     F25     X3 xDrive28i