Top 4 Best Subaru Head Gaskets – FAQs and Buying Guide

A head gasket is one of those car parts that are easily overlooked but will cause a lot of problems if left unattended. What makes things worse is that Subaru head gaskets are notorious for blowing out, especially at the 100,000 miles line. 

It’s not too difficult or expensive to replace a Subaru head gasket, but the selection process can be time-consuming. There are many different Subaru vehicles, so the head gaskets also vary in their design for each model and overall compatibility. It’s important to look out for how compatible a gasket is with your vehicle before buying it, in addition to paying attention to the quality and features of the head gasket. 

Top 4 Best Subaru Head Gaskets

To make your life simpler, we’ve scoured the internet for the top 4 Subaru head gaskets. All of these head gaskets are high quality and have been proven to improve the vehicle’s performance. 

Be sure to check out our FAQs section as well as the buying guide at the end of the article. We’ve compiled the most commonly asked questions on the internet by people looking to get the best head gasket for their Subaru. You’ll also find a buying guide that should help you make your decision and better explain what all the features mean in our product reviews.

#1- Fel Pro 26170 PT-1 Head Gasket Set

FEL-PRO HS 26170 PT-1 Head Gasket Set

If you wish that the Subaru stock head gasket was everything that it is, but just more durable so you wouldn’t have to replace it at the 100,000 mileage mark, then this is the one for you. Fel Pro has very similar functionality to the stock gasket and works perfectly, except it’s made out of much more durable and long-lasting materials. 

The Fel Pro Gasket uses multi-level steel material which adds a lot of heat resistance and protects the gasket from any kind of engine fluid contact. You’re understandably wary of aftermarket brands, but Fel Pro is a trustworthy brand that rarely lets car owners down. 

What we like the most is that this gasket set comes with a lot of attachments that make the replacement process easier. If you’re going to be taking on the task of doing the replacement on your own, you’ll definitely appreciate those attachments. 

Specifications: 

  • Manufacturer: Fel Pro
  • Weight: 1.47 pounds
  • Dimensions: 23.4 x 10.4 x 1 inches
  • Item model: HS26170PT1

Pros

  • Reasonably priced
  • Durable
  • Great seal
  • Comes with attachments

Cons

  • Doesn’t have any out-of-the-box features
  • No installation guide

#2- DNJ Head Gasket Kit 2.5L

DNJ HGS724 MLS Cylinder Head Gasket Set for 2007-2014 / Subaru/Forester, Impreza, Legacy, Outback / 2.5L / DOHC / H4 / 16V / 2458cc / EJ255

This is a great option for Subaru owners that want a durable option for a head gasket but also don’t have a huge budget. We understand if you don’t want to spend too much on a head gasket and you’re saving up for another aftermarket modification. 

The DNJ Head Gasket is so competitively priced because it doesn’t have the brand cost. DNJ is a relatively small and new brand that makes incredible high-quality vehicle parts, and can afford to sell at lower rates since they don’t have a long established brand name. You get to enjoy a high-end product with an affordable cost. 

This head gasket also uses multi-level steel, and can handle very high temperatures. What’s more, it can also handle high combustion pressure levels, which is an added bonus. All in all, the DNJ Head gasket kit should last you a long, long time. 

Specifications: 

  • Manufacturer: DNJ
  • Weight: 2.5 pounds
  • Dimensions: 25 x 12 x 1 inches
  • Model: HGS724

Pros

  • Leak-proof facility
  • Handles high heat
  • Handles high pressure
  • High quality multi-level steel

Cons

  • Not compatible with every Subaru model

#3- Evergreen HSHBLF9002 Head Gasket Kit

Evergreen HG9002(x2) Compatible With 90-98 Subaru Impreza Legacy 2.2L SOHC EJ22E Cylinder Head Gasket

It makes sense to spend time on the head gasket choosing process. Considering how frustrating it can be when the head gasket gives in and stops working, it makes sense to get it right this time. You want to invest in a head gasket and then be able to forget about it! Who wants to keep an eye on their head gasket every once in a while? 

You can do exactly that with the Evergreen head gasket. It is the best head gasket that money can buy, and uses the most high-end high-quality materials. This head gasket has a reinforced seal, and it can easily stand up to the task of being in contact with pooled engine fluid. It can do everything that you’d expect from a head gasket, while also being incredible durable against heat and high pressure. 

The best part about the Evergreen head gasket is that it works just like the OE part, but better. 

Specifications: 

  • Manufacturer: Evergreen
  • Weight: 8.33 pounds
  • Dimensions: 24 x 12 x 5 inches
  • Item model no.: HSHBLF9002

Pros

  • High-quality build
  • Attachments for easy DIY installation
  • Boosts overall performance
  • Highly durable
  • Reliable brand

Cons

  • Too many attachments can get confusing
  • Not affordable for everyone

#4- ITM Engine Components 09-10834 Cylinder Head Gasket Set

ITM Engine Components 09-10834 Cylinder Head Gasket Set for 2000-2009 Subaru 2.5L H4, EJ251/EJ253, Baja/Impreza/Legacy/Outback

The ITM Engine Head Gasket set is another high-performing gasket and a great choice for anyone who owns a Subaru vehicle. This is an extremely stable and finely engineered part, that uses great Japanese materials that add to the durability. 

Not only is the material strong enough to handle high temperatures, but the seal included does a great job of adding that extra layer of protection to help. 

Something that this cylinder head gasket offers is environmental friendliness: this gasket set reduces your carbon footprint. 

Specifications: 

  • Manufacturer: ITM Engine Components
  • Model: 09-10834
  • Weight: 1.3 pounds
  • Dimensions: 20 x 12 x 1 inches

Pros

  • Japanese engineering
  • Double layer heat protection
  • Easy to install
  • Withstands high-pressure points

Cons

  • Not designed for all Subaru models

Buying Guide: Which Subaru Head Gasket Should I Buy? 

We understand if you’re confused after reading through our article: all the five head gaskets we’ve mentioned seem great and top-quality, so how do you make your decision from them? 

Answering the question of which is the ‘best’ head gasket is difficult since we have listed the top 4 head gaskets in the market. Our top pick may not be the perfect one for your Subaru, according to your personal budget and vehicle requirements. 

That’s why we’ve included this Buying guide so that you can better understand your own requirements and make your decision. However, if you simply want to make a quick purchase: we recommend opting for our Top Pick since it will definitely satisfy your needs. For that matter, any of the head gaskets on this list will be a massive improvement from the stock OEM head gasket that was previously installed in your Subaru! It’s really a win-win situation. 

Since the main objective of a head gasket is to seal the combustion gases, it makes sense to invest in a high-quality one, because you don’t want to risk any sort of damage to the engine itself. 

Different types of head gaskets

Yes, there’s more than just one kind. You’ll find lots of different head gaskets in the market, compatible with your Subaru model. Each kind of head gasket affects the functionality and performance of your vehicle. 

The most common head gaskets you’ll find are the solid copper head gasket, and composite head gasket. While these are alright and do the job, we recommend that you don’t opt for these kinds of gaskets and stick to the multi-layer steel gaskets. 

Multi-layer steel gaskets are new to the market and far outperform any of the other kinds of gaskets. This is because they are capable of the best performance and are also the most durable. You won’t face the issue of having to replace your head gasket every couple of years if you opt for the multi-layer steel gasket. It’s also reasonably priced at a mid-range in the market. 

If you cannot find a multi-layer steel gasket for your Subaru Outback, then we recommend opting for the copper head gasket as an alternative. However, bear in mind that the copper head is slightly more expensive than the multi-layer steel gasket. This investment is definitely worth it, and you’ll enjoy a well-functioning gasket for the years to come. We don’t recommend opting for the composite head gasket and treat it as a last resort. 

Heat Resistance

Another important factor to consider is the heat resistance of your gasket. It’s one of the important tasks that your gasket has. One of the reasons why head gaskets give away and don’t last long is because they are unable to withstand the high temperatures of the vehicle. Since the gasket is a part of the engine, it needs to be able to handle very high temperatures as the vehicle is in motion. 

Subaru SUVs and pickup trucks are notorious for overheating, especially when under strain, such as going uphill, towing, or hauling a heavy load. Of course, we hope that you regularly add the necessary amount of coolant to your vehicle, but even in the chance that there is a scarcity of coolant added and the engine overheats: the gasket should be up for the challenge. 

Multi-level steel gaskets and copper gaskets have great heat resistance and that’s why they tend to last much longer as well. The composite head gaskets are not as good with heat resistance, unfortunately. 

Proprietary Coating

Proprietary Coating is one of god’s gifts to mankind. This incredible thing extends your gasket’s life by a couple of years, and many claim that it can last you a lifetime. It provides a couple of different kinds of protection: namely thermal, corrosion, and wear and tear. 

You won’t run into any problems with rust. Rust and corrosion are the biggest culprits for why car parts stop functioning and need to be replaced. Just a few decades ago, rust was unavoidable since everything in a vehicle is made out of metals. However, we now have anti-corrosion finishes and Proprietary Coating that can help protect you against these dangers. 

It also extends the life of your gasket from wear and tear. 

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions about the Subaru Head Gasket

You probably have more questions that you want to be answered before you decide on which head gasket to go ahead and buy. That’s why we made sure to find the most commonly asked questions by people in the market for a head gasket for their Subaru. We hope this clarifies more concepts in your mind and helps you choose the perfect head gasket for your Subaru!

Do all Subaru’s have head gasket problems? 

Yes, we mentioned that this is a common problem with Subaru vehicles. So don’t worry, you’ve been taking care of your vehicle just fine: and it’s definitely a manufacturing issue. Luckily it’s not too difficult to replace a head gasket and won’t cost you too much either. In an ideal world, Subaru would fix the issue so you wouldn’t have to, but we might have to wait a few more years for that. 

You might be wondering why the issue exists. Well, it’s party due to low quality of the original head gasket, but also due to the design. The engine fluids leak from the horizontal pistons of the engine and come in contact with the gasket seal. Of course, engine fluids can be very harsh on the seal and cause damage to them over time. It’s the prolonged contact with fluids that have pooled around the seal that seems to be the culprit. 

Having a higher quality gasket seal means that it can withstand the pooling engine fluids much better than the stock gasket could. Since you can’t change the Boxer engine design, you’re better off investing in a durable head gasket!

You can check our article about Can You Drive With A Blown Head Gasket?

Do you need to take out the engine in order to change the gasket? 

Yes and no. The most common way a gasket is changed is when the engine is taken out of the vehicle and pulled apart for the entire process. This is one of the reasons why it’s so expensive to get the replacement done at your local mechanics’ shop. It requires a lot of careful labor by someone who really knows what they’re doing. 

However, this doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to do the replacement on your own. There are ways in which you can efficiently change the gasket without removing the engine.

Conclusion

While replacing your head gasket on your Subaru can be a frustrating process, there’s comfort in knowing that almost everyone with a Subaru is facing the same issue!

It doesn’t need to take up too much of your energy and time, and you can save a lot of money by sourcing the replacement head gasket on your own. After that, it’s entirely up to you whether you want to take on the slightly dangerous challenge of replacing it on your own or trusting a mechanic to do the job, depending on your level of expertise.

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