Cometic 87mm Head Gasket .028in for Acura Honda Civic Type R

Cometic K20C1 87mm .028in Head Gasket Civic Type R FK8

Head lift is the failure mode that ends big power K20C1 builds. Push an FK8 Civic Type R hard on more boost or E85 and the factory torque to yield hardware and gasket eventually let cylinder pressure past the fire rings. This Cometic K20C1 head gasket (part number C14014-028) is the multi layer steel answer, and it covers the K20C4 in the 2.0T Accord and Acura RDX too.

What It Is and Why It Works

This is a four layer gasket from Cometic's HP line, which adds a .004 inch power ring shim staked around each combustion chamber. That extra shim concentrates clamp load right at the fire ring, which is where a boosted K20C1 needs it most. The embossed outer layers are Viton coated stainless steel rated to 482 degrees F, clamp load spreads evenly with no re torque after installation, and no sealant is used anywhere.

On bore size: the K20C1 and K20C4 run an 86mm cylinder bore, and this gasket's opening is 87mm. That is correct, not a mismatch. A head gasket's bore must always be slightly larger than the cylinder bore so the sealing rings land on flat deck, never hanging over the cylinder edge. The 87mm opening clears the stock bore with margin and still works if the block ever gets a light overbore.

Thickness is .028 inch compressed. Thicker gaskets add deck clearance and pull static compression down slightly, thinner ones raise it. At .028 this gasket keeps the K20C1 close to its factory geometry, which is what most FK8 and DE5 street and track builds want.

Specs

Fitment

Cometic's catalog formally lists the 2017-2020 Civic, 2018-2020 Accord, and 2019-2021 RDX. The 2023 and newer FL5 Type R and DE5 Integra Type S run the same K20C1 architecture with the same 86mm bore, and dealers sell this gasket for those builds, but confirm with us or Cometic before ordering for an FL5 since the catalog has not caught up to those chassis.

What to Know Before You Buy

Do not put this gasket on stock head bolts if you are chasing power. The factory K20C1 bolts are torque to yield, and every serious FK8 build pairs an MLS gasket with aftermarket head studs, ARP or an equivalent M11 stud kit, to hold clamp load under boost. MLS also demands a proper surface: Cometic specifies a deck and head finish of 50 RA or smoother, so if the engine overheated or lifted the head, have both surfaces checked for flatness and machined before this goes in. This gasket is made to order at Cometic, so plan the build timeline around a few weeks of lead time when it is not on the shelf. If your Type R is stock and healthy, keep the factory gasket; this part is for engines coming apart for studs, pistons, or a rebuild after head lift.