Head smashed :(

[Straycat]

I can't believe I can actually post in the 4g forums now . anyways, Got my GST home, spun the motor over everything moved correctly even the cams. Compresion test was, ummm.....less than adequate. He told me it needed a head gasket.....yeah not so much. It jumped time and bent the snot out of the valves. The tops of the pistons look knicked but not much, guess the timing belt caught soon enough to not be completely catastrophic, so I think they will survive awhile...

As far as the head goes, I know for sure I'm upgrading the head bolts to ARP bolts, as far as the head gasket I can't decide which to go with. As far as these engines go which one is the most bullet proof? It seems like every internal engine parts supplier has a " much better than stock" upgrade just looking for an expierienced reccomendation.
Also going with the kevlar timing belt.....

Now as far as internal head parts, are the titanium valves,springs, ect really worth the money or should I just go with stock. I'm not looking for a major race build yet, as I am fully willing to admit I am new to DSMs,I'm not a noob to engine building by any means, hell I built a 540ci blower motor for my hearse, but this is a different ball game, and just looking to invest the money in better parts that will pay off in the long run. Probably going to replace the cams as well with something slightly better than stock, nothing too aggressive. Next year I may rebuild the whole motor and go balls to the wall with it, but since I have to go through all this top end shit now I just want to build it. I'm going nuts, I want it on the road like yesterday..

 

[gusu]

I can't believe I can actually post in the 4g forums now . anyways, Got my GST home, spun the motor over everything moved correctly even the cams. Compresion test was, ummm.....less than adequate. He told me it needed a head gasket.....yeah not so much. It jumped time and bent the snot out of the valves. The tops of the pistons look knicked but not much, guess the timing belt caught soon enough to not be completely catastrophic, so I think they will survive awhile...

As far as the head goes, I know for sure I'm upgrading the head bolts to ARP bolts, as far as the head gasket I can't decide which to go with. As far as these engines go which one is the most bullet proof? It seems like every internal engine parts supplier has a " much better than stock" upgrade just looking for an expierienced reccomendation.
Also going with the kevlar timing belt.....

Now as far as internal head parts, are the titanium valves,springs, ect really worth the money or should I just go with stock. I'm not looking for a major race build yet, as I am fully willing to admit I am new to DSMs,I'm not a noob to engine building by any means, hell I built a 540ci blower motor for my hearse, but this is a different ball game, and just looking to invest the money in better parts that will pay off in the long run. Probably going to replace the cams as well with something slightly better than stock, nothing too aggressive. Next year I may rebuild the whole motor and go balls to the wall with it, but since I have to go through all this top end shit now I just want to build it. I'm going nuts, I want it on the road like yesterday..

When you have a turbo you only upgrade your cams to fit the needs of your turbo. Unless it does not have a stock turbo you DO NOT want to upgrade your cams at all.

 

[Straycat]

When you have a turbo you only upgrade your cams to fit the needs of your turbo. Unless it does not have a stock turbo you DO NOT want to upgrade your cams at all.

O.k cool. Then that saves me a few hundred bucks. I plan on upgrading the turbo as well, but I want to start fresh with a running car.This is my first turbo car. I'm a "hands on learner". And will only start asking questions on that topic when I know what the hell i'm talking about, which now is only half assed. I'm not going to lie, when I got to this car when picking it up, my wife took a picture of me litterally hugging the turbo unit like it was a long lost friend. She said she hasnt seen me smile like that since the heart attack, so she is onboard with it too. Thinks it's "therapeutic".

 

[nek]

Arp headstuds work.
Kevlar timing belt + Auto Tensonier
Any gasket works, reading around will tell you mls gaskets only work on a really smooth surface so you need your head and block machined. Cosmetic gaskets are more forgiving but cant take as much boost. If you dont plan on going over 25psi a cosmetic gasket is perfect, you could even go back to oem.

 

[BeatupVR4]

I can't believe I can actually post in the 4g forums now . anyways, Got my GST home, spun the motor over everything moved correctly even the cams. Compresion test was, ummm.....less than adequate. He told me it needed a head gasket.....yeah not so much. It jumped time and bent the snot out of the valves. The tops of the pistons look knicked but not much, guess the timing belt caught soon enough to not be completely catastrophic, so I think they will survive awhile...

As far as the head goes, I know for sure I'm upgrading the head bolts to ARP bolts, as far as the head gasket I can't decide which to go with. As far as these engines go which one is the most bullet proof? It seems like every internal engine parts supplier has a " much better than stock" upgrade just looking for an expierienced reccomendation.
Also going with the kevlar timing belt.....

Now as far as internal head parts, are the titanium valves,springs, ect really worth the money or should I just go with stock. I'm not looking for a major race build yet, as I am fully willing to admit I am new to DSMs,I'm not a noob to engine building by any means, hell I built a 540ci blower motor for my hearse, but this is a different ball game, and just looking to invest the money in better parts that will pay off in the long run. Probably going to replace the cams as well with something slightly better than stock, nothing too aggressive. Next year I may rebuild the whole motor and go balls to the wall with it, but since I have to go through all this top end shit now I just want to build it. I'm going nuts, I want it on the road like yesterday..

The ARP's are a great start. You can't reuse the factory bolts so spend the money on some ARP's.

I've only run Fel-Pro and OEM organic head gaskets and both work great. I think the MLS thing is a huge fad but that's just me. Same goes for the timing belt. Why spend the extra money on a Kevlar belt when stock belts last 60k and have run 9's? Again just my opinion.

I'm a huge fan of the Evo 8/9 valvetrain. A set of springs/retainers can usually be had for around $75, has MUCH less mileage than stock stuff but is still factory quality, and to top it all off is an upgrade. WHIN!

If you have the money a set of 272 cams would be a GREAT addition. I was never a huge big cam on a mildly modified car guy until I drove my friends 91 TSi with 272's , K&N, boost controller and a 3" CAT back (not turbo). I could not believe the top end! The car felt amazing. I have since had a set of cams and will never go back to stockers.

Good luck with the car!

 

[olddsmer]

Jackson Auto Machine sells a composite head gasket rated to 450 hp.

Regards
Greg

 

[ExpresS]

The ARP's are a great start. You can't reuse the factory bolts so spend the money on some ARP's.

What do you mean you can't "reuse" the factory bolts? As in they aren't suggested or they literally cannot be used? I've reused stock headbolts when i took the the head off my laser and the car ran great. Just curious here.

I can't believe I can actually post in the 4g forums now . anyways, Got my GST home, spun the motor over everything moved correctly even the cams. Compresion test was, ummm.....less than adequate. He told me it needed a head gasket.....yeah not so much. It jumped time and bent the snot out of the valves. The tops of the pistons look knicked but not much, guess the timing belt caught soon enough to not be completely catastrophic, so I think they will survive awhile...

As far as the head goes, I know for sure I'm upgrading the head bolts to ARP bolts, as far as the head gasket I can't decide which to go with. As far as these engines go which one is the most bullet proof? It seems like every internal engine parts supplier has a " much better than stock" upgrade just looking for an expierienced reccomendation.
Also going with the kevlar timing belt.....

Now as far as internal head parts, are the titanium valves,springs, ect really worth the money or should I just go with stock. I'm not looking for a major race build yet, as I am fully willing to admit I am new to DSMs,I'm not a noob to engine building by any means, hell I built a 540ci blower motor for my hearse, but this is a different ball game, and just looking to invest the money in better parts that will pay off in the long run. Probably going to replace the cams as well with something slightly better than stock, nothing too aggressive. Next year I may rebuild the whole motor and go balls to the wall with it, but since I have to go through all this top end shit now I just want to build it. I'm going nuts, I want it on the road like yesterday..

If you wanted to save some cash, go with a Mistu timing belt. People swear by it. Also take a glance at Topline valves, inexpensive quality replacement IMO.

 

[Tanro]

I'd go with EngnBldr valves. You can find them on ebay. The guy has been doing toyota engines for 20 years. 4g63s for several.

Kevlar or OEM timing belt. Arps, Composite headgasket unless you want to deal with the fuss for a MLS HG.

LMFAO @ Cosmetic headgasket.... Its Cometic, thats a brand. And Cometic MLS are no less picky about mating surfaces.

You could run 264 or 272s no reason not to as they are a bolt on replacement more or less. You dont need a built head or bigger turbo....

 

[williillii]

What do you mean you can't "reuse" the factory bolts? As in they aren't suggested or they literally cannot be used? I've reused stock headbolts when i took the the head off my laser and the car ran great. Just curious here..

The factory bolts, at least on the 2g that I know, are torque-to-yield. AKA when theyre torqued all the way to spec they will stretch out, and strength is compromised if you try to use them again. There is a length spec you can check them against, and reuse if theyre not too stretched. But for $30, just buy new bolts. Or go ARP or whatever.

Tanro, pretty sure he meant composite instead of cosmetic.......not sure why it was capitalized tho.

 

[2slow4utsi]

The ARP's are a great start. You can't reuse the factory bolts so spend the money on some ARP's.

I've only run Fel-Pro and OEM organic head gaskets and both work great. I think the MLS thing is a huge fad but that's just me. Same goes for the timing belt. Why spend the extra money on a Kevlar belt when stock belts last 60k and have run 9's? Again just my opinion.

I'm a huge fan of the Evo 8/9 valvetrain. A set of springs/retainers can usually be had for around $75, has MUCH less mileage than stock stuff but is still factory quality, and to top it all off is an upgrade. WHIN!

If you have the money a set of 272 cams would be a GREAT addition. I was never a huge big cam on a mildly modified car guy until I drove my friends 91 TSi with 272's , K&N, boost controller and a 3" CAT back (not turbo). I could not believe the top end! The car felt amazing. I have since had a set of cams and will never go back to stockers.

Good luck with the car!

+1 on everything this guy just said.