Has anyone installed this yet? And how dificult was it? Any pitfalls I should be aware of. I'm looking at purchasing this with the emanage, head studs and new gasket. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

Its not for your average person. The removal and install is acutally quite difficult because of the design of the front engine cover. You have to remove all of the pullies and the oil pan and there is VERY little clearance. I'd reccomend paying someone unless you have a shop to do it in yourself.

Charles

 

Yeah, I just called up my local shop and they quoted me $700 on labor alone, mind you to do the head on my old eclipse was around $350. I called up zpi and its around $800 for parts and labor at their shop. It requires some work to do.

 

Good lord... That plus the cost of the head - 550, emanage - 200, wiring harness - 150, you're talking about a turbo kit....

 

Directions on how to change a Head Gasket....

http://mithdesign.com/upload/files/2...asket%20TC.pdf

Shows you how to swap/remove head. Looks fun

 

My God! Definitely NOT a DIY'er. Think I'll leave that job to the pros.

 

Hhhmmm, looks like a lotta work, but it can be done.... The instructions only tell you how to take it apart, do you just go in reverse order when putting it back together? Don't you have to adjust the timing belt and crank to a certain position?

 

seems like just more of a pain in thea A$$ than actually hard. More time consuming if anything

 

^^^ Exactly my thoughts. It's something I "could" do but the amount of time it would take me would be enormous (especially since I don't have air tools, engine lift or car lift). If I had the facilities and resources, I'd do it, it would be fun. But as it stands paying someone $800 would be worth it to me.

 

$800.... Just don't have that laying around...

 

Some useful advice I have learned from working on a few of them as well as from my father, who spends all day working on them: On newer cars especially, dont try to move stuff a little here and there to work around it. Start "above" what you are getting to and start removing parts. If it is remotely in the way, take it off, dont try to squeeze around it or move it a little to "save time". Use common sense though.. move air conditioning components over without disconnecting if possible to avoid having to re-charge it. But for the most part, if it starts in your way, take it off the car. You will find in most cases that you will actually save time by not trying to "save time".. if that makes sense. The time you spend trying to squeeze a part around something else is usually better spent just removing the obstruction and putting it back in place afterward. This is a very do-able job if you know what you are doing and have the space and tools to do it. I personally dont have a shop at my disposal right now (sucks not living right next to dads shop any more ) so if I were ordering the head I would wait till I was back visiting to do it. A lift and a full shop makes things a MILLION times easier. But if you tackle it in the front yard, garage, etc. Take your precious time and do it right. If it starts getting hard to work around stuff, take a break. If you take your time and pay attention you will be fine. And dont try to re-use anything that is stated as non-re-useable. The small cost of new o-rings, gaskets, etc is worth the time of having to do it again later.

 

Well my dad always taught me that if it doesnt work right away then just force it! so far its worked for me

J/K

 

if you can't duck (duct tape) it, f*** it

 

Screw... that! I would have to plan all my mods out. There is no point in getting something that you yourself cannot install and not have to money to have it done.. unless of course you have great patience.. I would want that ish' in right away...

 

I get the feeling I'm going to be the guinea pig for the head swaps...

 

Well right before Christmas I'm haveing my car dropped off to ZPI. They are doing an upgraded turbo setup from the stage 1 along with new pistons, new rods, stage 1 head package, and all the necessary transmission mods needed. It should be the fastest auto TC out after they're done. They said no less then 400 hp on pump gas. So yeah you wont be the only one with the head package.

 

I wont be going FI (the 11.1 heads), so it may still be some uncharted territory.

 

yes that is quite costly

 

Fushyuguru, if you do it... Im drivin to your crib so you can do mine... lol

 

flat rate on this is about 12.5 hours, i believe, i have seen professional techs do it in 9.5 or so... (sorry if this doesnt help i tried)