OK. So im fairly sure that I have a bent valve on the talon. When I bought the car from Neil he told me that the bottom end had ~35K on it and the top end had ~15K on it. I've put less than 5K on the car in the time that ive owned it. Last I checked the compression was great (above average) in each cyl. I'm doing another compression test tonite to confirm the bent valve theory, but I'm stuck on what to do. I literally have 0 bills right now and a steady fulltime income. I could easily take out a small loan on the car and do a pretty big buildup. I was planning on some wiseco 9:1 pistons, HKS cams, SS oversized valves, 18G turbo, FMIC, SAFC, and a few other minor assortments. Or I could just replace the valves and run her till she dies. I took the valve cover off and popped the rocker arms off and checked\cleaned all of the lifters to be sure that one hadnt collapsed and everything looked great so im pretty sure the rest of the motor is OK besides the valves. So I need opinions. Thanks in advance! I also plan on gutting the rest of the interior, and painting the whole car a flat\satin black this summer (not a krylon job either).

You build up plan sounds good to me except for the 18g turbo. I've heard nothing but bad things about that turbo. Stuff like spool-up of a 20g with the power of a 16g. I'd check forced performance, buschur, agp, or pte for some larger turbos if a 16g isn't going to satisfy you.

Rip it apart and replace bent valve. Worry about the rest later. If it breaks, you're screwed.

Totally disagree. There's a lot more to it than the hack repair that would give him IMHO. If he's shelling out for the necessary timing belt, etc items as well a new HG, he might as well do it right.

Chances are that there might be more than just the 1 bent valve as well. Possible piston damage etc.

The 'cheap' way would be to go with a used head provided there is no piston damage. Personally, I'd pull it apart, evaluate the real damage and go from there.

The 'worry about the rest later' advice though sounds like a recipe for further engine damage, a repeat occurence, and money wasted on the hack repair.

Just my $0.02

Well as much as ide like to do the upgrade im thinking that I may just buy Rob's rebuilt head if hes still got it. If there is any piston damage I may just buy the block hes got too and put everything together and build the head\block I've currently got up when the oportunity provides its-self.

Sounds like a plan to me!!

OK. I've got dibs on the head. I'll let you know if I need the block too. I'm gonna do a compression test tonite and then probably tear it apart sometime soon. I'll give you a call in the next few days??? I'll buy the head for sure, but I wont have the money until friday so maybe this weekend or early next week?

Couple people have already inquired about both Mark, no $$ for anything, so it's all still up for grabs. If you want to put a deposit down, I can hold one or both for you.

Rob

OK. Then I'll come pick the head up on friday if you still have it. I'll probably give you a call on friday or if you sell it before then just post here. Thanks!

If you can handle buying everything at once, and having that car down for a while, do everything. If not, at least do the valve. I skipped over the steady income part. My bad. I'm assuming you have another car to drive.

Well yes and no. I've got a 90 laser RS-T that is stock, but I really bought it for my G\F to drive. Also, its only a 5 minute walk to work so I could walk if she cant taxi me around. I think for now, im going to buy the head from Rob and try to semi-bandaid the car until I can get a good daily driver. I found a 97 chevy S-10 with 53K on it that I may pick up. But as soon as I find a good DD, the car is going under the knife(or should I say hatchet in the case of a DSM.)

Sledgehammer.