As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.
Subaru’s EJ25 flat-four is one of the most-serviced head-gasket jobs in the aftermarket, and the parts market reflects it: composite and multi-layer-steel (MLS) gaskets, complete kits versus head-gasket-only listings, and turbo-specific reinforced gaskets all compete for the same job. These 10 real options span all of that. One clarification worth stating up front: this is EJ25 territory (including the earlier EJ25D and the later EJ253/EJ255/EJ257 revisions) – the newer FB25 engine that replaced the EJ25 starting around 2011-2012 is a different design, and none of these parts fit it.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fel-Pro HS26415PT-1 Head Gasket Set | $150-$220 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | Cometic C4264-040 MLS Head Gasket | $60-$90 per gasket | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Victor Reinz 61-10724-00 Multi-Layer Steel Cylinder Head Gasket | $40-$70 | Amazon |
| 4 | ITM Engine Components 09-41405 Cylinder Head Gasket | $80-$100 | Amazon |
| 5 | DNJ HGS715 Head Gasket Set | $50-$80 | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | Mahle Original Head Gasket (55017) | $100-$130 | Amazon |
| 7 | Six Star EJ253 Non-Turbo MLS Head Gasket Kit | $180-$210 | Amazon |
| 8 | Six Star EJ255/EJ257 OEM MLS Head Gasket Set | $180-$210 | Amazon |
| 9 | Athena Reinforced Cooper-Ring Head Gasket (EJ25 Turbo) | $130-$150 | Amazon |
| 10 | Nippon Reinz OEM Cylinder Head Gasket | $40-$45 | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
Fel-Pro HS26415PT-1 Head Gasket Set
Fel-Pro’s PermaTorque MLS gaskets use a proprietary coating rated for sealing surfaces up to 80 Ra, and this set is cataloged for 2006-2011 EJ25 Forester, Impreza, Legacy and Outback.
- PermaTorque MLS head gaskets
- Coating rated for surfaces up to 80 Ra
- Fits 2006-2011 EJ25 Forester/Impreza/Legacy/Outback
- No-retorque design
- Broad EJ25 model-year coverage
- Check the exact year range against your VIN – Subaru revised the EJ25 head design more than once
Cometic C4264-040 MLS Head Gasket
A .040-inch multi-layer-steel gasket that comes up repeatedly as a Subaru-forum favorite, sold per gasket rather than as a full kit.
- .040-inch MLS construction
- Built for the EJ25
- Strong enthusiast-forum track record
- Holds up under boost on turbo builds too
- Sold as a single gasket – budget for a matching pair plus a separate seal set
Victor Reinz 61-10724-00 Multi-Layer Steel Cylinder Head Gasket
Victor Reinz supplies Subaru’s own factory lines, and this MLS gasket with a high-temp rubber coating fits both the EJ22 and EJ25.
- MLS construction
- High-temp rubber coating
- Fits EJ22 and EJ25
- OEM-supplier brand
- Reported no-retorque performance
- Like Cometic, sold per gasket rather than a full kit
ITM Engine Components 09-41405 Cylinder Head Gasket
A budget composite (non-MLS) OE-spec kit for the 2.5L H4 SOHC EJ25 covering Forester, Impreza, Legacy and Outback.
- OE-type composite sealing components
- Fits 2.5L H4 SOHC EJ25
- Budget-friendly OE-spec option
- Composite construction rather than MLS-grade like Fel-Pro, Cometic or Victor Reinz
DNJ HGS715 Head Gasket Set
A full gasket set covering the Saab-badged version of the Subaru platform (9-2X) as well as Baja, Forester and Impreza with the 2.5L H4 SOHC engine.
- Full gasket set
- Covers 1999-2011 Saab 9-2X and Subaru Baja/Forester/Impreza 2.5L H4 SOHC
- Also covers the Saab 9-2X
- Full-set convenience versus buying gaskets individually
- Budget-tier brand with less forum track record than Fel-Pro or Cometic
Mahle Original Head Gasket (55017)
An OE-quality MLS cylinder head gasket for the later EJ253/EJ255/EJ257 engine codes.
- OE-quality MLS construction
- Fits EJ253/EJ255/EJ257
- Mahle is a factory-level OE supplier
- Covers the later EJ253/255/257 revisions – confirm your engine code before buying, not the older EJ25D
Six Star EJ253 Non-Turbo MLS Head Gasket Kit
A complete kit for the naturally aspirated EJ253 (2006-2009 Legacy/Outback and related Forester/Impreza years) with 2 MLS head gaskets, 2 exhaust gaskets and 2 intake gaskets included.
- 2 MLS head gaskets
- 2 exhaust manifold gaskets
- 2 intake gaskets
- Cataloged for the non-turbo EJ253
- Complete kit rather than gaskets-only
- OEM-quality MLS construction at a mid-tier price
- Non-turbo EJ253 fitment only – not for the turbo EJ255/EJ257
Six Star EJ255/EJ257 OEM MLS Head Gasket Set
The turbo-application counterpart to Six Star’s EJ253 kit, for WRX, Impreza STI and Forester XT.
- OEM-quality MLS head gasket set
- Cataloged for turbo EJ255/EJ257 (WRX, STI, Forester XT)
- Purpose-matched to the turbo engine code rather than the non-turbo EJ253
- Standard OEM-spec gasket, not a reinforced racing gasket – see the Athena option below for boosted builds pushing past stock pressure
Athena Reinforced Cooper-Ring Head Gasket (EJ25 Turbo)
A performance-oriented cooper-ring gasket built from shape-memory stainless steel, aimed at boosted EJ25/EJ257 builds running past stock boost pressure rather than a stock rebuild.
- Cooper-ring / cut-ring construction
- AISI 301 shape-memory stainless steel
- Built for EJ25 turbo (WRX/STI, 06-17 coverage)
- Rated for higher compression ratios and boost pressure than a stock-spec MLS gasket
- Overkill (and pricier) for a stock-power daily-driver rebuild – this is a performance-build part
Nippon Reinz OEM Cylinder Head Gasket
An economical OE-style gasket sold by exact application year (e.g. 2006-2014 Impreza, 2013-2019 Outback) rather than one universal EJ25 part number.
- OE-style construction
- Sold by specific model-year application
- Cheapest option on this list
- OE-style fit for a stock rebuild
- Composite-style OE gasket rather than MLS – check whether your specific application still uses composite or has moved to MLS
Buying tips
- This list covers the EJ25 family only (EJ25D, EJ251, EJ253, EJ255, EJ257) – the newer FB25 engine (2011-2012 onward on most models) uses a different head gasket entirely and none of these parts fit it. Confirm your engine code, not just the model year, before ordering.
- MLS (multi-layer steel) gaskets generally don’t need a re-torque after the first heat cycle; composite gaskets (ITM, Nippon Reinz) are cheaper but more sensitive to surface prep.
- A complete kit (Fel-Pro, ITM, DNJ, Six Star) includes cam seals, manifold gaskets and other wear items a lone Cometic or Victor Reinz gasket doesn’t – factor that into the price comparison.
- If you’re building a boosted EJ25/EJ257 past stock power, the Athena cooper-ring gasket is worth the premium over a stock-spec MLS gasket; for a stock rebuild it’s unnecessary expense.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.