shaving the head

[Gengus]

The TSRM calls for replacement of head if warped beyond spec and says nothing of replacing it.
i assume it is ok to shave a little off for a blown head gasket since ive read threads on here where a bunch of poeple have already done that but just thought id ask everyones opinion on the topic

[Chambers]

Well if you plan on running a metal head gasket, then you really need to have a machine shop shave a little off the head and block if they are a warped. Good luck!

[Gengus]

no i dont plan on going MHG. the shop shaved off about 4 ten thousandths, i figure its ok i just wanna check since the manual says not to shave the head. i guess if i had to i could shave more off and use a MHG but i dont really wanna put that much money in if i dont have to

[mkiiisupra]

you want to put that much money in now, as well as APR studs, and dont forget you have to re torque those or you will prolly be doing another HG job.

From what i understand the reason why toyota says replace is there is not much clearance from to tops of the pistons so if you shave off too much you will have clearance issues. Thats why people shave then go with the appropriate metal gasket thickness to off set this.

If you are going for stock power u can prolly get away with doing a composite gasket and just torque it to 75ft/lbs if i remember right

[Chambers]

Yea, thats fine for a NA but for a turbo a MHG may just be the way to go for cost wise in the long run. I have heard of people running stock psi with a composite head gasket at the correct head bolt torque level and had no problems, but I have heard more people say they have ended up with another BHG because they didn't go with a MHG in the first place.

If you absolutely can't afford to do a MHG, then just make sure you re-torque the head bolts to the correct specs, take your time putting everything back together, don't boost up the car, and you should be good.