Conversion to German standards: head gasket and brakes

CeesCam · 08-13-2025, 03:27 AM

Dear friends,
I want to buy a Camaro which was imported into Germany.
(I live in the Netherlands)
Wen imported into Germany, conversion to German standards meant a head gasket conversion with everything that goes with it, as well as larger brakes. I really have no clue as to why you would want te replace the head gasket. Does anyone know this? Is it risky to buy a car that had this type of modification?
Thanks in advance,
Cees Verloop

CeesCam · 08-13-2025, 03:28 AM

This is about the 2017 SS model.

arpad_m · 08-13-2025, 08:37 AM

I have never heard of a mandatory head gasket conversion for Germany. GM had European spec Camaros, perhaps they used a different head gasket, but I can't imagine a reason to replace a perfectly good one from the US. Now, is the conversion risky? Depends on who did the job

The larger brakes are a nice touch, try to find out what that actually means, hopefully it's the 6-piston conversion GM used to offer for a cool ~$3000.

DeuceCam · 08-13-2025, 05:01 PM

The changes might have to do with the materials the components are made of. Kind of like how the California cars require different brakes. Just a guess.

Warrior102 · 08-13-2025, 06:22 PM

Nothing about that makes any sense.

CeesCam · 08-15-2025, 11:12 AM

This car was imported from Canada. Maximum speed Canadan about 110 km/u.
Cheaper/ thinner materials used. Then, in Gemany no speedlimit. I am told this is the reason why the car needed an update.

bishopts · 08-15-2025, 11:41 AM

That doesn't make sense either, that would require an entire system retooling to accommodate making engines with lower standard parts. That would cost the same as the engines already made. 110km regulations would just be done in the software.
Leaded gas vs unleaded would be the only reason i could see different parts used. Exhaust valve materials and catalytic converters would be a stretch on hardware differences.
Now maybe, the heads were removed and new gaskets installed for annual inspection of internal engine components, similar to how Japan does. Or did. Im not sure if that's still the case. It was why we used to be able to get so many low milage jdm engines back in the day.

Ventmaster · 08-15-2025, 05:02 PM

A thicker head gasket = lower compression ratio. Is there less availability of adequate octane gasoline there? I think not, so most likely it was for an inspection and the larger brakes may have simply been a request from the previous owner? I can't imagine the standard SS brakes would be considered inadequate even for the autobahn.

Tim M · 08-15-2025, 09:03 PM

Do you mean headlight conversion? I have no idea about an engine part...octane is higher in Germany than US...

speedyink1 · 08-15-2025, 10:22 PM

Canada goes up to 120 km/h speed limits. It doesn't make sense they'd go through the effort of putting different parts in for such a small difference in top posted speed limits.

CeesCam · 08-17-2025, 05:57 AM

Ok, I also think it makes no sense for a car maker to make a difference in thicknees of the headgasket depending on speedlimits in particular countries.

This is the more elaborate text from the salesperson:

This is the case in the US, as well as in Kannada, and perhaps the rest of the world, where there are speed limits, so it's perfectly sufficient for cars to be equipped with a thinner head gasket and "less durable materials."
This means that at speeds of 100 km/h -130 km/h, it's not absolutely necessary to use expensive materials.
But since we drive cars in Germany, and we don't have a speed limit, we "can" drive faster.
We need materials that are thicker or have better strength so the engine doesn't break.
I got the Camaro from Kannada; in Canada �� you're only allowed to drive 110 km/h, and anyone who drives faster can lose their car or end up in jail.
That's why cheaper materials are used in such cars.
If you hit the gas here and drive 270-300 km/h, it would destroy the head gasket and all the cheap components.
That's why I modified or converted my Camaro completely legally.
Parts like the head gasket, etc.,
are simply replaced with stronger materials.

SpeZ · 08-17-2025, 06:14 AM

Big cap. No one ever would replace the head gasket, except it went bad.
It prolly overheated once, thats the reasons.
Makes no sense, that they used bad gaskets for canada fellas, cuz they got a speed limit. lol.
If it came first from canada -> germany then it should have a km/h speedo if its a canada model.
Watch out for salvage model here in europe. Some of them ain't bad, but many are fixed cheaply.

ariZona28 · 08-17-2025, 06:40 AM

.

speedyink1 · 08-17-2025, 12:27 PM

Yeah, total salesman scam. This would mean:

-Gm took the time/money to put cheaper parts into a 455HP car shipped to just Canada because there's a 16km/h difference in posted top speeds.

-They also told people they could go on track with this cheap head gasket because they know everyone drives on the track extremely gently.

-There would be multiple reports of head gasket failures for track users/people who "drive it like they stole it" (this forum is littered with these kinds of reports, right?)

Importer is clearly taking advantage and charging false fees. I'd be surprised if they even touch the head gasket/brakes, but charge you for it anyway.

08-13-2025, 03:27 AM	#1
CeesCam Drives: Mazda 6 GG Join Date: Jul 2025 Location: Noordwijk Posts: 9	Conversion to German standards: head gasket and brakes Dear friends, I want to buy a Camaro which was imported into Germany. (I live in the Netherlands) Wen imported into Germany, conversion to German standards meant a head gasket conversion with everything that goes with it, as well as larger brakes. I really have no clue as to why you would want te replace the head gasket. Does anyone know this? Is it risky to buy a car that had this type of modification? Thanks in advance, Cees Verloop

08-13-2025, 08:37 AM	#3
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 13,149 View My Garage	I have never heard of a mandatory head gasket conversion for Germany. GM had European spec Camaros, perhaps they used a different head gasket, but I can't imagine a reason to replace a perfectly good one from the US. Now, is the conversion risky? Depends on who did the job The larger brakes are a nice touch, try to find out what that actually means, hopefully it's the 6-piston conversion GM used to offer for a cool ~$3000. __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

08-15-2025, 09:03 PM	#9
Tim M Drives: 2018 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Stuttgart, Germany Posts: 901	Do you mean headlight conversion? I have no idea about an engine part...octane is higher in Germany than US... __________________ 2018 SS 1LE German Based Nurburgring Visit #19 202 MPH Ring Laps: 86

08-17-2025, 06:14 AM	#12
SpeZ Drives: 2019 ZL1 "1LE" \| 16 SS \| 2017 F30 Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Europe Posts: 109	Big cap. No one ever would replace the head gasket, except it went bad. It prolly overheated once, thats the reasons. Makes no sense, that they used bad gaskets for canada fellas, cuz they got a speed limit. lol. If it came first from canada -> germany then it should have a km/h speedo if its a canada model. Watch out for salvage model here in europe. Some of them ain't bad, but many are fixed cheaply. __________________ Callaway SC750 ZL1, DIY 1LE with added OEM 1LE Wheels, DSSV Suspension and 1LE Aero, FEA front control arms, DIY oil cooler, CWA 150 pump, bigger intercooler, BMR lockout kit, CTSV Brake Air Deflectors, Smooth idle cam, LS7 lifters, CHE trunnion bushings. Tuned by JRE

08-17-2025, 06:40 AM	#13
ariZona28 Give speed a chance Drives: 2015 Camaro 2LS, 2015 Camaro Z/28 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 2,789	. Attached Images __________________ 2LS: a TREMENDOUS machine. Z/28: it's a BIT MORE POWERFUL, of course.

08-13-2025, 03:28 AM	#2
CeesCam Drives: Mazda 6 GG Join Date: Jul 2025 Location: Noordwijk Posts: 9	This is about the 2017 SS model.

08-13-2025, 05:01 PM	#4
DeuceCam Drives: LT1 Join Date: Apr 2024 Location: AZ Posts: 301	The changes might have to do with the materials the components are made of. Kind of like how the California cars require different brakes. Just a guess.

08-13-2025, 06:22 PM	#5
Warrior102 USCG Retired (MKC) Drives: 2018 2SS 1LE Black Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 673	Nothing about that makes any sense.

08-15-2025, 11:12 AM	#6
CeesCam Drives: Mazda 6 GG Join Date: Jul 2025 Location: Noordwijk Posts: 9	This car was imported from Canada. Maximum speed Canadan about 110 km/u. Cheaper/ thinner materials used. Then, in Gemany no speedlimit. I am told this is the reason why the car needed an update.

08-15-2025, 11:41 AM	#7
bishopts Drives: 2017 2ss 6mt Join Date: Mar 2024 Location: dallas Posts: 941	That doesn't make sense either, that would require an entire system retooling to accommodate making engines with lower standard parts. That would cost the same as the engines already made. 110km regulations would just be done in the software. Leaded gas vs unleaded would be the only reason i could see different parts used. Exhaust valve materials and catalytic converters would be a stretch on hardware differences. Now maybe, the heads were removed and new gaskets installed for annual inspection of internal engine components, similar to how Japan does. Or did. Im not sure if that's still the case. It was why we used to be able to get so many low milage jdm engines back in the day.

08-15-2025, 05:02 PM	#8
Ventmaster Drives: 2017 1SS 6spd Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 3,022	A thicker head gasket = lower compression ratio. Is there less availability of adequate octane gasoline there? I think not, so most likely it was for an inspection and the larger brakes may have simply been a request from the previous owner? I can't imagine the standard SS brakes would be considered inadequate even for the autobahn.

08-15-2025, 10:22 PM	#10
speedyink1 Drives: 2023 Camaro 1SS 1LE 6MT Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 552	Canada goes up to 120 km/h speed limits. It doesn't make sense they'd go through the effort of putting different parts in for such a small difference in top posted speed limits.

08-17-2025, 05:57 AM	#11
CeesCam Drives: Mazda 6 GG Join Date: Jul 2025 Location: Noordwijk Posts: 9	Ok, I also think it makes no sense for a car maker to make a difference in thicknees of the headgasket depending on speedlimits in particular countries. This is the more elaborate text from the salesperson: This is the case in the US, as well as in Kannada, and perhaps the rest of the world, where there are speed limits, so it's perfectly sufficient for cars to be equipped with a thinner head gasket and "less durable materials." This means that at speeds of 100 km/h -130 km/h, it's not absolutely necessary to use expensive materials. But since we drive cars in Germany, and we don't have a speed limit, we "can" drive faster. We need materials that are thicker or have better strength so the engine doesn't break. I got the Camaro from Kannada; in Canada �� you're only allowed to drive 110 km/h, and anyone who drives faster can lose their car or end up in jail. That's why cheaper materials are used in such cars. If you hit the gas here and drive 270-300 km/h, it would destroy the head gasket and all the cheap components. That's why I modified or converted my Camaro completely legally. Parts like the head gasket, etc., are simply replaced with stronger materials.

08-17-2025, 12:27 PM	#14
speedyink1 Drives: 2023 Camaro 1SS 1LE 6MT Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 552	Yeah, total salesman scam. This would mean: -Gm took the time/money to put cheaper parts into a 455HP car shipped to just Canada because there's a 16km/h difference in posted top speeds. -They also told people they could go on track with this cheap head gasket because they know everyone drives on the track extremely gently. -There would be multiple reports of head gasket failures for track users/people who "drive it like they stole it" (this forum is littered with these kinds of reports, right?) Importer is clearly taking advantage and charging false fees. I'd be surprised if they even touch the head gasket/brakes, but charge you for it anyway.

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