Cost to install a Metal HG

[JMDigital]

If I was to pay a shop to do a metal HG for me what do you think it would cost? I dont need one now, but the prev owner had a Felpro gasket and ARP studs installed, I dont know why he did not do a metal one but now that I am about to hit about 400hp I am thinking it may be a good idea?

what do you guys think? and a rough cost?

thanks!

 

[LordLo]

If I was to pay a shop to do a metal HG for me what do you think it would cost? I dont need one now, but the prev owner had a Felpro gasket and ARP studs installed, I dont know why he did not do a metal one but now that I am about to hit about 400hp I am thinking it may be a good idea?

what do you guys think? and a rough cost?

thanks!

Last I heard the stock hg could hold up to 400 hp... as to how long it'll hold... :aigo:

 

[jdub]

HP is not what you should be looking at...boost level is your concern...related, but not the same. Boost effectively increases your compression inside the cylinders putting stress on the HG. 12 psi with a good tune is a pretty safe bet on a composite HG...14 psi is starting to push it.

You also need to be thinking fuel when running above 12 psi. If you lean out, causing detonation in one or more cylinders even a MHG might not save you.

A lot of the cost for a MHG is the reqired RA (smoothness) spec for a MHG. 30-50 RA is the norm depending on the MHG you use. Both the block and head have to be decked to this spec...this increases the cost significantly. That's why a lot of people stay with the composite HG...it does not require the level of smoothness a MHG does. You don't have to pull the motor, only the head.

Edit: Just looked at your Car Domain site...I see you are/have upgraded your fuel system. Good for you man. Now get a wideband so you can see what it's doing

 

[TurboFreak]

Mine cost $1500 to put in a Cometic Metal HG and ARP Studs...

 

[JustAnotherVictim]

Mine cost $1500 to put in a Cometic Metal HG and ARP Studs...

Goddamn!!
Mine will cost machine work and some time to do it myself. Machine work will probably be a couple hundred or less. It all depends on where you go, just make sure you use a good shop or it may end up costing you more.

 

[supra90turbo]

/\ Ah yes, the beauty of doing the work yourself.

 

[Boosthpy]

Hm no big hp plans here yet. Composite sounds good to me. So just Toyota composite and head studs will be good to 12psi on good tune?

 

[Disced]

easy

 

[MRSUPRA]

I would not bother changing the headgasket if its not blown. ITs too much work, or too much money. With ARP studs, the felpro might hold up longer than you think.

 

[drbowser3]

Call up Fernando @ F&H Performance (813-631-9500), I think labor would be $500. Then you would need the gasket and machine work. They can get the gasket for you, plus a machine shop is about a mile away with quick turn-around.

 

[s383mmber1]

Its all about the tune.

Even a bad tune can bring down a metal headgasket with no problem.