Opinions...should I swap out my headgasket?

[jspaeth]

I am planning on doing a turbo swap in the near future....I think I am going to go with a GT2871R .64 A/R and probably some 740 injectors.

The motor is a relatively well-conditioned blacktop S13 SR20...I have a Greddy R SPL front mount...

My question is as follows....I am shooting for 350ish whp on a GT2871 (like to have up near 375 or so, would be great).....is it worth it to swap out the headgasket?

I was considering waiting to do the headgasket until the next time I decide to take the motor apart or if I ever build the motor up...

I know there is no "answer" to this question.....I am trying to weigh the pros and cons....

If I blow the headgasket, what is the worst can happen?......Swapping the headgasket for me will be either expensive (if someone else does it), or take a lot of time (if I do it)....I was hoping that if I ever take the head off, I use that opportunity to do replace some valvetrain stuff, cams, springs, retainers, etc.....


Essentially, my question boils down to.....If I am shooting for 350-375 whp out of a GT2871 .64, do you feel it is worth it to take a chance on the stock headgasket?

Thanks for your opinions.

PS I am checking compression this weekend when I change my plugs, but last time I checked, compression was excellent

[Sileighty_85]

Well depending on how bad you blow the head gasket and what you are doing of the time it blows excessive coolant in the cylinders will cause Hydro Lock and bend some Con-Rods and crank and leave you stranded wherever you are.

Preforming a H/G swap yourself is faily simple and yes a lot less expensive, Just follow the FSM and the get head mill'd change out your Valve Seals, BC Springs/Retainiers, with Some ARP Head studs, maybe some BC SS Valves, and your in buissiness. Machine work should cost you less than 100 bucks for milling and changing the seals, and springs. I'd do it for the peace of mind so you can beat the crap out of it and not worry

[jspaeth]

OK by the way, my compression is 155 across all 4...

[DALAZ_68]

i say yes... a light gasket rebuild can only do u good...iiiiif u do it right...