Hahaaa! I didn't want to put a 3400 UIM on it. Believe it or not, I dislike the 3400s more than the 3100s.

Which way are you going Multi Layer Stainless gaskets or stockers?

On either one, I'd suggest picking up a can of spray copper RTV and giving them a trake clean wipe on both sides, spray both sides and let it tack up good, spray again and allow it almost tacky then install.

Keep in mind most GM head bolts are TTY and should not be reused. If you get ARP studs, they are torqued differently, but are much better IMO than any TTY head bolt

I honestly haven't decided. I'm having a hard time too. I want to believe that it was just predetonation that did in my stockers. $150 is a lot and 2 weeks is a lot of down time.....

Doing it right can often be on the opposite side of the room from doing it cheap.

You could always just put them back in and post again in a few weeks when the second set blows.

What he said. You have to pay to play. Just hope for your sake you didn't do any other damage to the engine...

Nah, it'* fine.

Besides, if I blow up this motor, another one is only $150. That'* as much as I'm considering spending on headgaskets alone!

How the crap do I clean this old headgasket off of here?

With a 3M scotchbrite pad on a DA air tool.

Ok, now with something I have in my garage... GO

Jon, ~12.5 is WAY too lean for a relatively untuned turbo motor, drop that back to 12:1 at the leanest until you get a good idea of what the motor wants, then you MIGHT be able to lean it out a bit.