Athena Cut Ring Head Gasket, BMW S38

This S38 Head Gasket is designed to replace BMW part numbers 11121316705, 11121307529, and 11121401351, specifically for the BMW S38B35, S38B36, and S38B38 engines found in the E24, E28, and E34 M5 and M6 chassis. 

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 84.5mm, then the gasket should be the next size up, either 85mm or 85.5mm.

Before installation, it is crucial to have the mating surfaces of the cylinder head and block professionally cleaned and resurfaced to ensure they are completely flat.

Installation instructions:

1. Make sure that the engine block and cylinder head surfaces are clean, flat, and free from any debris, oil, or coolant.

2. Install the Cut Ring gasket on the engine block and ensure that it is properly aligned. Avoid twisting or bending the gasket during installation.

3. Place the cylinder head on top of the gasket and install the head bolts or studs in their correct positions.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. It is recommended to not use any additional sealant on the MLS gasket, as it is already coated with a Viton rubber sealant. Using additional sealant can hinder the performance of the gasket.

BMW S38B35 Applications:

BMW 5 Series

1985-1987     E28     M5 [European Market]
1987-1988     E28     M5 [American Market]

BMW 6 Series

1984-1989     E24     M635CSi [European Market]
1987-1989     E24     M6 [American Market]

BMW S38B36 Applications:

BMW 5 Series

1988-1992     E34     M5

BMW S38B38 Applications:

BMW 5 Series

1992-1995     E34     M5 [European Market]