So, I couldn't really find what I wanted but if you have a link, I'd appreciate it. What are the downsides to switching to a colder spark plug without forced induction?

I'm considering building my engine this summer and postponing FI until next year. With that, any threads you know off-hand on building engines would be great too...

 

plugs are so cheap, there's no point to changing them now.

you want to run the hottest plug you can get away with.

 

Priorities are a little backward, IMO.

FI, then colder plugs, if you need them. I took my BKR6Es to 14 psi and dynoed on them. But I run 7s now, as a safety measure.

FI, then build. If you build first you're so going to be tempted to crank the boost into the 20s and make killer power. I say you turbo to around 230 hp and then decide if you need to make the leap to a built engine.

$0.02

 

It's one thing to do, say a clutch job 1st. Plugs take all of 15 minutes to change.

 

Well then, it appears I have an oil leak around my valve cover gasket, so I was going to replace that and maybe tinker with other parts in there/ see what I could modify/upgrade while I was in there.

Speaking of valve cover gaskets, is there anything else I should be checking if that gasket is leaking?

 

CAS O-ring.

 

CAS? I'm not familiar with all the acronyms yet.

 

Close Air Support, or Camshaft Angle Sensor.

It's one or the other.

 

CAS = Cam Angle Sensor. It's the small distributor-like device sticking out of the back of the head on the intake cam ('90-'93) or the exhaust cam ('94-'97). '99 and later cars did not have one, although they still had the hole for it (again, just behind the exhaust cam) which is filled with a little plastic cap. On these cars, the gasket is integral to the cap, and it's not particularly common for it to leak oil.

 

If you are looking to do a cheap modification, bring your timing up from the stock 10* to 16*. You will feel a slight increase in performance.

Something else you can do to get a little more umph is to go ahead and do a lightened flywheel and clutch. It will make your car accelerate harder, and be compatable with other mods later.

Take Kotomile's advice, and do a basic turbo first, learn, then see how far you want to take it. You may never need to build that motor.

 

This is my primary concern, atm. Can anybody tell me what part I am looking for to replace the seal in the middle picture?

 

Valve cover gasket and PCV grommet