5sfe Head gasket death! Options

[MotoFoo86]

Soooo, i went outside about 5 minutes early before departing to work to warm up my car. Started her up, and walked back inside to finish my breakfast, i happened to take a slightly longer breakfast then normal, and when i went back outside i saw this:

http://s1326.beta.photobucket.com/user/jer...94fc5b.mp4.html

Super lame. I let her cool down (which didn't take long with the hood open and it being 5 degrees outside), and then limped her the 1.2 miles to work. Looks like the coolant froze, i had JUST put the on the list of things to do, oil change. When i got off work, i tenatively i walked to the auto parts store nearby and bought new fluid to refill what had burned off. Filled her up, and started her with the cap open.

Looks like she blew her head gasket. Antifreeze is pretty milky. bummer! Now the question is, how far do i want to take this?

New head gasket?

Rebuild?

rebuild + build it?

or

Time for a 3sgte swap?


First step, drain and refill oil and antifreeze to make sure it's not just water or some other contaminant.

This post has been edited by MotoFoo86: Dec 31, 2012 - 9:16 PM

[MotoFoo86]

Perhaps i should also state that i'm fairly familiar with turbo'd inline 4's.... i've gotten most of my information here, read all of yours and kurt's projects. I'm sorry my opinions disagree with yours. However since you know everything, perhaps you could come up with a weight on the 3mz engine. I know it's an aluminum block, so it will be lighter then a iron block. I know the 3sgte will be heavier then the 5sfe, i'm sure the 3mz will be too however perhaps not by the same amount. I'm still formulating a decision.

I also mentioned that it's my ride up the mountain. the V6's are torquey, and low torque + ice doesn't always work out fantastically. Sometimes on ice a lack of power is nice. I do agree however that the smoother powerband on the non-turbo motors also help with traction issues.

Lastly, i'm wondering if you have any idea what kind of MPG's the 3mz gets mated to the s54 tranny. Seems like that combo would rev the engine up fairly good on the highway and destroy any hopes i have of a decent MPG. I suppose the same could be said of the 3sgte. Just a curiosity.