Blown headgasket FTL! Options

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Well, it's been 4 and a half years since I rebuilt the engine and ever since, it has taken the abuse I've given it like a champ. High EGTs and 87 octane fuel was the order of the day. It took it like a man. Compression was perfect across the board, and everything else was good to go. Well, you know how they say that you shouldn't have sexy time in your car because it jinxes it? Well, I think that actually is true, because before breaking a piston the first time, my car was the place of some love encounters with my girlfriend, LOL. It can't be coincidence that it broke again after I disrespected it with my current girlfriend. Blown tires and some other things happened before, too.

Anyway, the last straw that broke the camel's back was a 15 PSI test run after tuning it with the eManage. We were gonna take it to the dyno to tune it at that boost level, so we needed to test if the engine would hold or if it would blow like a grenade. Too bad I forgot I had moose piss 91 octane watered fuel from a gas station I never go to, but I had to this time because I was running low. I thought I had Shell 93 and well, nothing made a sound. I nailed it from a dead stop, it just roasted tires with the 17s, put our heads against the headrest, and then coolant was all over the windshield when I let go the gas. Good times. The auto tranny is holding well. No signs of slippage or anything. I ordered a Cometic headgasket and should be here this week. This engine can sure take some punishment. I need to up the boost to see if a rod gives up before a piston. I need an excuse to install the Belfab rods and some other pistons I found.

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After a lot of pain (guy that recently re-made the downpipe bent the pipe over the bottom bolt ), I took the old turbo off today and I prayed that this one would fit. I was relieved when it fit no problem. It cleared the manifold and alternator. I just had to clock it and that was it. I get my turbo flange gasket and wastegate gaskets on Thursday. I still need to install the new fuel pump, pick up some bigger injectors (going with 630cc ones), install a manifold stud on the head and do a LOT of cleaning. Rats decided to throw a party again while my car was parked for over two months. What a mess. I'm so overwhelmed at the list of things I need to replace...and pretty much everything in the engine bay needs cleaning and painting. Oh well. This is part of the game. Man, the turbo certainly looks big on this engine. I wonder how many weeks it's going to take to spool it. We'll find out in a week or so.