So, my head gasket blew. I am pretty sure it was caused by heat. I was still doing datalogging for the start tune and had noticed several instances of 200 plus temperatures on the AEM software. I assumed it was the calibration. I am now to the point of either stroking the motor or swapping to an LS or K24. This sucks and I leave the country in 75 days, so I am on a schedule to get this thing up to be shipped. Pics for consoling my heart...

 

Would be easier to replace head gasket.
do you think you may have had an air lock that may have caused the over heating issue ?<there is a bleed valve on the oem manifold>

 

I wish I knew. I have no idea. I had to put in the second AEM EMS after the first was fried. I don't know if it's a sensor issue or what. The radiator fans do kick in. I just had a lot of sporadic temp spikes. It really does suck.

 

How did you bleed it?

 

What do you mean? I didnt bleed anything, so I can guarantee it has something to do with it. I probably messed up. This is becoming a nightmare.

 

Fans would kick in as steam is hotter than coolant
replace HG and jack front of car up Very high to and remove air from cooling system.<bleed valve is there for a reason>

 

pps we all fcuk up now and again,cost me an engine, so your lucky its just a HG

 

Thanks. I hear you, but man I just want this done. Especially given that I am pressed for time. I am thinking of having it stroked to 2.4 while it's at the shop or just do a K24 with turbo swap. Maybe I can recoup a little money by selling the parts.

 

When you changed manifold to the ITB's you lost a lot of coolant.
Did you just refill the radiator and not bleed out all the air pockets?

 

That is extremely likely. I thought it might of had something to do with the backfiring in cylinder 4 or the fact that the temps were getting in the 200s. My fault for thinking it was just the calibration numbers.