What a coincidence.. I'm doing the same thing at the moment.. I already have the blowthrough MAF, just waiting on an upper replacement pipe. I already have a manifold option I'm looking at, and I intend to run an upgraded head.. I don't want to run a thinner headgasket though.. I do have the 93/94 octane advantage and a fairly detonation resistent engine.. Its great to see someone else going in a similar direction..

 

Is there a reason you don't want the higher compression ratio with a thinner head gasket? I would think with access to 93/94 octane, this is an easy 5-7HP?
It's nice to know somebody else is thinking along my lines.
From what I've read from Buschur and Dark Horse, the head really opens up the flow possibilties.
I'm sure your SS exh. manifold will improve spoolup and flow.
The key to HP in turbo cars is high exhaust flow.
Good luck!
I'm going to smoke some local ricers now, There are some FWD Hondas that think they have something for me, .

 

This is not directed to you Bishiboy - you are one of the tops in tuning and I know you are more than capable to make the right choide for your ride - its one of the best running evos I have driven to date. This is more of an informational post for others who may be reading along

My testing showed that head porting produces almost as much additional power as the cams do - at leats 20 whp on stock valves and the Ferrea 1 mm bigger valves are good for an additional 10 - 15 whp

When we tested the Buschur upgraded head on Robi's car it required an additional 15% fuel to dial in the same a/f target which shows us some really good air flow gains were being made

There is a LOT of power in the head

BUT it may make more sense to spend the funds for head work on a upgraded turbo instead

Head work makes power but mostly on the top end and if its not done by a very professional and knowledgeable shop like Buschur or Dark Horse you may suffer reliability issues.

Its possible that you can suffer head job related failures (I went through that a few times before i got it right) iF the job is not done properly

This is all just food for thought - there is big power to be found in the head - however when you go about finding it - make sure you are not a crash test dummy for some one who is conducting experiments on 4G63 - - - doing head work is not like bolting on parts

With that said - springs and retainers make a nice upgrade on any evo

 

I've seen your head exploits, and I definitely don't want to be someones science experiment.. However I do plan on getting the Buschur head when I can afford it.

Ultimately the efforts won't be wasted, because the power can be made with the stock turbo, and its sort of the "prerequisites" for a turbo upgrade at some point in the future if I feel its necessary. I just am of the school of thought where you optimize what you have.. The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced the stock turbo is a nice unit, additionally I bought a turbo car, why replace the turbo? I guess that aspect goes along the same lines for me as replacing the Recaro seats or Momo steering wheel.. Those aspects were selling points of this car, and what made it unique and desirable to me.

and about the headgasket, although its good for a few HP, I don't know that raising the compression slightly is something I'd want to do... Of course that could change.. But I have a plan and am trying to do things as methodically as possible.

Besides, there's something to be said about making power with what you have..