If you own a Subaru with the 2.5 liter EJ25 engine, you already know the head gasket is the part that keeps you up at night. The single layer composite gaskets used on many of these engines have a long history of weeping coolant, mixing oil and coolant, and overheating once they let go. Choosing the right replacement gasket is the difference between a repair that lasts another hundred thousand miles and one that fails again within a year.
We looked at the gaskets EJ25 owners and Subaru shops actually trust, focusing on multi layer steel (MLS) upgrades, proven OEM units, and complete sets that cover both heads at once. Below are seven real options ranked by how well they seal, how durable the material is on a hot running boxer engine, and how cleanly they fit without surprises during the rebuild.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
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Six Star Head Gasket Set for Subaru EJ25 (MLS) Best Overall Multi layer steel (MLS) design, pair of gaskets for both heads, EJ25 SOHC and DOHC applications |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Fel-Pro Head Gasket Set for Subaru 2.5L EJ25 Most Trusted Brand Fel-Pro engineered head gasket for 2.5L EJ25 applications, OE style or MLS depending on part number |
9.3 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Genuine Subaru OEM Head Gasket for EJ25 Best OEM Fit Factory Subaru head gasket, later revised multi layer design for EJ25 engines |
9.1 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Mahle Original Head Gasket Set for Subaru EJ25 Best for Durability Mahle Original head gasket engineered for 2.5L EJ25 applications, OE supplier quality |
8.9 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Evergreen Full Gasket Set for Subaru 2.5L EJ25 Best Complete Set Full engine gasket kit including head gaskets plus intake, exhaust, valve cover, and seals for 2.5L EJ25 |
8.6 | 🛒 Check Price |
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DNJ Head Gasket Set for Subaru EJ25 Best Value Pick DNJ head gasket set for 2.5L EJ25 engines, pair of gaskets at an accessible value |
8.3 | 🛒 Check Price |
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ITM Engine Components Head Gasket Set for Subaru EJ25 Best Budget Backup ITM head gasket set for 2.5L EJ25, includes head gaskets and related sealing components |
8.0 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. Six Star Head Gasket Set for Subaru EJ25 (MLS): Best Overall
The Six Star MLS head gasket has become the default answer in the Subaru community for a reason. The EJ25 was famous for chewing through its original single layer composite gaskets, and swapping to a multi layer steel design directly addresses the root cause. The thin stacked steel layers flex with the head and block deck without compressing and degrading the way the old fiber gaskets did, which is exactly why we put this set at the top.
The honest weakness here is that an MLS gasket is far less forgiving of an imperfect surface than a composite one. If your heads are not properly resurfaced and verified flat, an MLS gasket can actually be harder to seal than the part it replaces. This is a great gasket for a careful rebuild, but it punishes shortcuts, so plan on machine shop time before you bolt it down.
- Multi layer steel construction that resists the weeping failure common to the original composite gaskets
- Sold as a matched pair so both cylinder heads get the same upgraded seal
- Application coverage across many EJ25 SOHC and turbo DOHC variants
Pros: MLS design is the upgrade most Subaru specialists recommend for a permanent fix; Strong reputation among EJ owners for ending repeat coolant leaks; Comes as a pair, so you are not buying two separate parts
Cons: Requires properly resurfaced and flat heads to seal correctly; You still need to source separate intake, exhaust, and valve cover gaskets
2. Fel-Pro Head Gasket Set for Subaru 2.5L EJ25: Most Trusted Brand
Fel-Pro is the name most mechanics trust for gaskets across nearly every engine family, and the EJ25 is no exception. Their head gaskets are engineered to the specific deck and bore dimensions of the Subaru 2.5, and the company’s reputation for quality control means you are far less likely to open the box and find a fitment surprise. For anyone who wants a known quantity from a brand that supplies professional shops, this is the safe pick.
The thing to watch is that not every Fel-Pro EJ25 listing is the MLS style. Some part numbers are an OE style composite improvement rather than a full multi layer steel design, and for the EJ25 specifically the MLS route is what tends to last. Read the part number and description carefully so you know whether you are buying the upgraded steel gasket or a higher quality version of the original style.
- Backed by Fel-Pro's long history as a top tier gasket supplier for rebuilders
- Application specific design engineered for the EJ25 deck and bore layout
- Widely stocked, so replacements and matching sealing parts are easy to find
Pros: Brand that professional engine builders reach for without thinking twice; Consistent quality control and reliable fitment out of the box; Easy to pair with other Fel-Pro sealing components for a full job
Cons: Some part numbers are OE style composite rather than full MLS; Coverage varies by exact EJ25 year and head design, so verify before ordering
3. Genuine Subaru OEM Head Gasket for EJ25: Best OEM Fit
Going with the genuine Subaru part guarantees the gasket was made to the exact specification the engine was designed around. Thickness, bore size, and coolant passage layout all match perfectly, which keeps your compression ratio and clearances correct. Subaru also revised the EJ25 gasket over the years, so a current OEM unit is a meaningful step up from the parts that earned the engine its reputation in the first place.
The catch is history. Even the revised factory gaskets have not always matched the longevity that owners get from a quality aftermarket MLS swap, and the early designs are the very ones that made this engine infamous. The OEM gasket is the right call if you value flawless fitment and want the manufacturer’s own part, but it is sold one at a time, so remember you need a pair to do the engine properly.
- Genuine Subaru part with guaranteed factory fitment
- Later production revisions improved on the early failure prone design
- Exact thickness and bore match for correct compression and clearances
Pros: Perfect factory fitment with no guesswork; Revised material is a real improvement over the earliest gaskets; confidence on the road from using the manufacturer's own part
Cons: Sold individually, so you buy two for a full job; Older revisions did not have the best long term track record
4. Mahle Original Head Gasket Set for Subaru EJ25: Best for Durability
Mahle supplies gaskets and engine components to automakers directly, so when you buy a Mahle Original head gasket you are getting genuine OE caliber engineering. For the EJ25, that translates into tight material tolerances and a design built to survive the constant heat cycling that kills lesser gaskets. If your priority is a part that simply endures, Mahle’s reputation for durability makes it an easy recommendation.
Where Mahle falls a little short is breadth. The catalog does not always cover every odd EJ25 sub variant the way the largest brands do, and stock can be less consistent on Amazon, so you may need to confirm the exact application before ordering. For the mainstream EJ25 engines it fits, though, this is a quietly excellent choice that punches above its profile.
- From a global OE gasket supplier with tight material tolerances
- Designed to handle the heat cycling of a hard running boxer engine
- Application engineered specifically for the EJ25 platform
Pros: OE level quality from a major original equipment manufacturer; Durable material that holds up to repeated heat cycles; Reliable, repeatable fitment
Cons: Less coverage of obscure EJ25 sub variants than the biggest brands; Availability can be patchier than Fel-Pro
5. Evergreen Full Gasket Set for Subaru 2.5L EJ25: Best Complete Set
When you have the EJ25 torn down to the heads, you are already touching nearly every gasket on the engine, and the Evergreen full set lets you replace all of them in one order. The kit bundles the head gaskets together with intake, exhaust, valve cover gaskets, and assorted seals, which removes the hassle of hunting down each individual part and waiting on separate shipments. For a complete top end refresh, the convenience is genuinely hard to beat.
The honest trade off is that a value full set is engineered to a price across dozens of pieces, so the individual gaskets are not always held to the same standard as a dedicated premium head gasket. Many careful builders use the Evergreen kit for everything except the head gaskets themselves, swapping in a dedicated MLS pair for the most critical seal. Used that way, or on a budget conscious refresh, it is a sensible and convenient choice.
- Complete kit so you replace every gasket the engine is open for in one purchase
- Includes head gaskets along with intake, exhaust, and valve cover seals
- Convenient single box for a full top end refresh
Pros: Everything for the job in one kit, no chasing individual parts; Good value for a complete top end gasket refresh; Saves time sourcing matching seals and gaskets separately
Cons: Individual gaskets are not always to the same standard as premium single parts; Some builders still swap the head gaskets for a dedicated MLS unit
6. DNJ Head Gasket Set for Subaru EJ25: Best Value Pick
DNJ has built its business on broad coverage engine parts that get the job done without straining the budget, and its EJ25 head gasket set fits that mold. You get a matched pair covering many model years and trims, which makes it an easy fit to find and a practical option when you are rebuilding a high mileage Subaru that you do not plan to keep forever. For a straightforward repair on a budget, it earns its place on the list.
Set expectations honestly, though. This is acceptable quality rather than premium, and a value gasket leaves even less margin for sloppy machine work than a top tier part. Get the heads properly resurfaced, torque everything to spec in the correct sequence, and DNJ will serve you well. Cut corners on prep and you are inviting the same EJ25 leak you are trying to fix.
- Affordable head gasket set covering common EJ25 applications
- Sold as a pair for both cylinder heads
- Broad coverage across many model years and trims
Pros: Strong value for a budget conscious rebuild; Wide application coverage makes finding the right fit easy; Comes as a matched pair
Cons: Quality is acceptable rather than premium; Surface prep matters even more with a value gasket
7. ITM Engine Components Head Gasket Set for Subaru EJ25: Best Budget Backup
ITM Engine Components rounds out the list as the budget backup, the set you reach for when you need to get a leaking EJ25 running again without a large outlay. The kit covers mainstream applications and bundles in related sealing parts, so it is more than just a bare pair of head gaskets. For a daily driver you want back on the road quickly, or as a stopgap, it does the job.
Be realistic about where it sits. The material longevity does not match the MLS upgrades or the OE supplier gaskets higher on this list, so this is not what you bolt into a car you intend to keep for the next decade. As an economical fix on a high mileage Subaru, or a backup when the better parts are out of stock, ITM is a reasonable choice as long as you go in with the right expectations.
- Budget friendly set covering mainstream EJ25 applications
- Includes head gaskets plus related sealing parts in the kit
- Readily available as an economical replacement option
Pros: Low barrier option to get a leaking EJ25 back on the road; Kit includes more than just the head gaskets; Easy to source when premium parts are out of stock
Cons: Not the choice for a forever rebuild on a keeper car; Material longevity trails the MLS and OE options above
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Subaru EJ25 head gaskets fail so often?
Many EJ25 engines, especially the SOHC versions, left the factory with a single layer composite head gasket that did not hold up well to the heat cycling of the horizontally opposed boxer design. Over time these gaskets weep externally, leaking coolant or oil at the edge of the block, or they let coolant and oil mix internally. The problem is well documented across the Subaru community, which is exactly why upgrading to a better gasket during the repair is so important rather than just replacing like for like.
Should I use an MLS head gasket on my EJ25?
For most EJ25 rebuilds, yes. A multi layer steel (MLS) gasket, like the Six Star set, uses thin stacked steel layers that flex with the engine and resist the degradation that killed the original composite gaskets. It is the upgrade most Subaru specialists recommend for a lasting fix. The one requirement is that your cylinder heads must be properly resurfaced and verified flat, because MLS gaskets are less forgiving of an uneven surface than a composite gasket.
Do I need to replace both head gaskets at once?
Almost always, yes. The EJ25 is a boxer engine with two cylinder heads, and once you have gone to the labor of opening one side, it makes no sense to leave the other original gasket in place to fail later. Many gasket sets are sold as a matched pair for exactly this reason. Replacing both at the same time means both heads get the same upgraded seal and you only pay the labor of tearing the engine down once.
Do I have to resurface the heads before installing a new gasket?
It is strongly recommended, and with an MLS gasket it is essentially required. A machine shop will check the heads for warping, which is common after an overheat, and resurface them flat. Skipping this step is the most common reason a freshly replaced head gasket leaks again. Budget for machine shop time as part of the job, because even the best gasket cannot seal against a warped or uneven surface.
What else should I replace while doing the EJ25 head gaskets?
Since the engine is already apart, it is smart to refresh the timing belt, tensioner, idler pulleys, and water pump if they are due, along with the intake, exhaust, and valve cover gaskets and the spark plugs. A full gasket set like the Evergreen kit covers most of the sealing parts in one purchase. Doing this related work at the same time saves you from a second teardown soon after and gives you a genuinely fresh top end.
Our Verdict
For a Subaru EJ25 repair you want to do once and forget, the Six Star MLS Head Gasket Set is our top pick. Its multi layer steel design attacks the exact failure that made these engines infamous, and it comes as a pair so both heads get the same upgraded seal, provided you resurface the heads first. The Fel-Pro Head Gasket Set is our runner up, offering the trust of a brand that professional engine builders rely on with consistent fitment and easy availability. Whichever you choose, proper machine work and correct torque sequence matter as much as the gasket itself, so prep carefully and your EJ25 can run leak free for years to come.
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