Performance head gasket VAG 1.8T 20V

Here we offer several performance head gaskets for VAG 1.8T 20V engines from ATHENA and COMETIC, whose technical specification is given below.

Fitment: 1.8 20V Turbo engine AEB, AGU, AJL, AJQ, AMK, ANB, APH, APP, APU, APX, APY, AQA, AQX, ARK, ARX, ARY, ARZ, ATW, AUM, AUQ, AVC, AVJ, AWD, AWP, AWT, AWU, AWV, AYP, BAM, BBU, BEK, BEX, BFB, BFV, BJX, BKF, BNU, BVP.

Below you will find (click on the image) the head studs / head bolts for the VAG 1.8T 20V engine:

Technical specification of the OEM gasket

• Engine bore: 81mm
• Compressed thickness: 1.22mm

Technical specification

• Engine bore: up to 82, 83.5 or 83.8mm
• Compressed thickness options: 1.35 or 1.40mm
• Gasket type: MLS
• Part numbers: 338253R, 338254R, 338463R

Designed and manufactured in Italy, the ATHENA performance head gaskets come in two versions:

• MLS: these gaskets are made of several stacked stainless steel layers riveted together. The stainless steel layers are laser cut for greater accuracy and receive an elastomer-based surface coating (NBR or FKM). For optimum sealing, the cylinder outlines and the water and oil passages are embossed. For the most extreme applications, additional reinforcement is added around the cylinders.
• O-Ring: these gaskets consist of a steel layer covered with asbestos-free aramid fibre and an AISI 304 stainless steel ring (around the cylinders). A silicone bead applied at the critical points (water and oil passages) ensures maximum sealing of the head gasket. This type of gasket is mandatory on heavily boosted engines.

Technical specification

• Engine bore: up to 82 or 85mm
• Gasket type: MLS
• Number of layers: 3, then 5 for gaskets from 1.42mm thick
• Compressed thickness options: 0.69, 0.76, 0.91, 1.02, 1.14, 1.30, 1.42, 1.52, 1.68, 1.78, 1.91, 2.03, 2.13, 2.18, 2.34, 2.41, 2.49, 3.05, 3.56mm
• Part numbers: C4558, C4558-027, C4558-030, C4558-036, C4558-040, C4558-045, C4558-051, C4558-056, C4558-060, C4558-066, C4558-070, C4558-075, C4558-080, C4558-084, C4558-086, C4558-092, C4558-098, C4558-120, C4558-140, C4559, C4559-027, C4559-030, C4559-036, C4559-040, C4559-045, C4559-051, C4559-056, C4559-060, C4559-066, C4559-070, C4559-075, C4559-080, C4559-084, C4559-086, C4559-092, C4559-095, C4559-098, C4559-120, C4559-140

Founded by Bob Gorman in 1989, COMETIC is recognised worldwide as a leader in the design and manufacture of performance head gaskets. Like the whole of the brand's range, they are made in the United States. COMETIC performance head gaskets are made of several embossed stainless steel layers held together by rivets. There are three types of COMETIC head gasket:

MLS: equivalent to the ATHENA MLS gaskets, these multi-layer gaskets (3 to 5 stainless steel layers depending on gasket thickness) are embossed around the cylinders and around the fluid passages.

• MLX: this gasket has the same base as the MLS gasket, with added reinforcement (a folded layer) around the cylinders and a special high-temperature coating.

• HP: this is an MLX gasket with an extra layer added, whose purpose is to improve the sealing of the cylinders (see below)