aznboik1mva(edit) said:
I just picked up a '90 MA71 for my brother.
The previous owner replaced the 7MGTE with a GE block.
All the 7mgte electronics are still there, so I decided I should just buy my old 7MGTE that needs a rebuild back from a buddy and swap manifold, turbo, ect.
I would like to just get the car running so do you think if I get an OEM head gasket and ARP studs the engine would be fine? this is just gonna be a DD for my brother so its not like hes gonna boost over 12 pounds. I just want to know if this will be alright until next winter when we can do a rebuild.
Now I can answer.
You can run the car NA-t no problem. The internals are IDENTICAL save for the GE block not having oil squirters, and the pistons are 9.2:1 cr where the GTE pistons are 8.5:1
People have made big power on NA blocks, I plan to swap a spare into my car should anything go wrong with the GTE that's in it.
THAT SAID, a stock headgasket on a PROPERLY PREPPED head and block will hold up just fine if you use ARP studs and don't shoot for astronomical HP. The higher compression and, say, 10psi on a stock CT would make a great daily driver. Again, my plan.
Run whichever block you want to, they will both do the job.
A metal headgasket is ideal, of course, but the stock headgasket will be fine as long as you use a genuine Toyota gasket.
