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Need new cylinder head. Looking for suggestions

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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 12:28 PM
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Need new cylinder head. Looking for suggestions

Just took my 03 evo 8 down to the dealership to see why I had coolant coming out of the head at the #1 cyl. They took it all apart and apparently I need a new cylinder head. They also said that I'll need about $5500 for them to replace it, almost $3000 of that in labor at an average of $165/hr. Ridiculous. So I'm looking for any suggestions at all. Fortunately its not my daily driver, so I'm not necessarily in a hurry, just looking for suggestions. Thanks!
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 12:53 PM
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Did they specify why you need a new head?
How modded are you or do you plan to mod in the near future?

If they are not full of it or incorrect and you really need a new head, obviously look into other options besides the dealer. If your head is damaged to the point where it's not even usable as a core, you're looking at either buying a used stock head and just freshening it up and putting it on, or sending it in for a build, or a built performance head with the core charge.

Worst (or best, depending how you look at it) case scenario you just drop around $3300 for a new built head with the core charge. Of course it really depends on if you need it. There are tons of Evos making lots of power without a fully built head. On the other hand, if you're going to run high boost and your head is pretty damaged it may be worthwhile to just get a fully built head.
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 01:05 PM
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I am selling the car, and there are little to no mods done to it. They said the reason I need a new head is because the spot where the coolant is coming out of (where the ex mani studs are) is completely stripped out. I can have a machine shop fix it, but that will only save me about $1800 on a new head. So I'd still be at $4000 or so. I just want it fixed to stock specs.
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 02:01 PM
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Seriously? You can get the car up here and I can save you 1,500 on the deal
I bet it could all be fixed at my friends shop for 1,500 or less.
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 02:21 PM
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Originally Posted by xspsi4
Seriously? You can get the car up here and I can save you 1,500 on the deal
I bet it could all be fixed at my friends shop for 1,500 or less.
Hmm. That sounds more like it. I will keep that in mind.
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 02:29 PM
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Whoa there.

All you need is to find an independently owned and operated shop that can reliably remove and reinstall the head. This is a straightforward, relatively uncomplicated operation. Locate a competent shop and have the car towed there.

Repairing the head is not a problem. I have someone who can do that right here. It's just a UPS or Fed Ex Ground package and a couple days each way.

When all is said and done, you'll almost certainly have closer to $1500 in it, not $5500. Toss in a set of ARP studs ($99) while you're at it, and help yourself to a cam upgrade if you're up to it. May as well get something out of it for your trouble.
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Ted B
Whoa there.

All you need is to find an independently owned and operated shop that can reliably remove and reinstall the head. This is a straightforward, relatively uncomplicated operation. Locate a competent shop and have the car towed there.

Repairing the head is not a problem. I have someone who can do that right here. It's just a UPS or Fed Ex Ground package and a couple days each way.

When all is said and done, you'll almost certainly have closer to $1500 in it, not $5500. Toss in a set of ARP studs ($99) while you're at it, and help yourself to a cam upgrade if you're up to it. May as well get something out of it for your trouble.
I believe the studs run through oil passages, not coolant passages. I think the car is fully misdiagnosed.

Check turbo coolant lines, throttle body coolant lines and heater core lines to locate your problem.
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 03:12 PM
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^+1 Id be checking the easy stuff first.

And how do you know "I had coolant coming out of the head at the #1 cyl." ? Clean #1 plug?
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 03:14 PM
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Headgasket anyone!!
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 03:16 PM
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head gasket anyone??!! Take the head to a machine shop and have them bench test for pressure and cracks. Sounds like head gasket let go in the corner
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 03:40 PM
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wtf who charges $165hr? Even the Porsche dealer is $125hr where I live. I think they might have told you the "go away" price.
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 06:39 PM
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Originally Posted by matt6g72
I am selling the car, and there are little to no mods done to it. They said the reason I need a new head is because the spot where the coolant is coming out of (where the ex mani studs are) is completely stripped out. I can have a machine shop fix it, but that will only save me about $1800 on a new head. So I'd still be at $4000 or so. I just want it fixed to stock specs.
About every 1G DSM popped the exhaust manifold studs. The kids that owned them fixed them.
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