Thread: Head gasket crossroads

Greetings all, it's been a while. Having a kid and a new job, basically at the same time, will certainly take any and all free time you once had.

When we last left our hero (that's me!) he was in the gravel trap on the outside of turn 14 at Carolina Motorsports Park where he went off in the rain and made a 2-piece Koni shock out of a 1-piece Koni shock. Oh, and did I mention the head gasket is blown?

A year (a kid, and a new job) later, I'm ready to tackle my issues. Koni fixed me up with fresh shocks, but my head gasket issue remains. Here, basically, is what I'm looking at:

1) replace head gasket, have head "freshened" and shaved to factory minimum: $1200
2) just replace the head gasket: $800
3) A low mileage JDM engine delivered to my front door on a pallet: $800ish, not including install.

I flat out do not have time to do this job, so these are shop quotes. It would likely be easier to just replace the entire engine than just the head gasket.

WW(SR20-forum)D?

Even with a shaved head or just a head gasket, you have the same old bottom end of the engine. Based on miles, care, and abuse, that might be an issue or it might not.

A clean replacement engine is ready to go. People mostly just replace easy external accessories (gaskets, water pump, etc.), which is less time/labor than cleaning the block surfaces, bolting up the head in order, running the timing chain, checking cam alignment, etc.

A trusted local gearhead or forum member might be willing to perform a lot of the labor in trade for parts, spares, and/or the old core. An engine swap is not terribly difficult for someone with a Harbor Freight crane and basic tools. Explore that route before paying a shop.

if you was close i would do the swap for you

OK. Sources for engines, please. I know Soko is one. Any others? Any I should avoid?

I got my JDM DE from Greg V. I would go that route again if in your position. We have also had good luck with Venus Auto in Sacramento. There's also a good place in Jersey that's on eBay.

Soko responded already with $575 shipped to my door. That's a pretty strong quote.

Soko is the good old stand by. Nothing wrong with them.

what about Tigerjapanese?

They are great if you like gambling. They aren't as bad as they were 2 years ago but if you want a strong motor I'd pick SOKO over them any day.

Soko doesn't stock sr20DE-T engines ?