Another Newb question....

[DT Racer]

Given: If you change items on a stock car which are percieved to enhance perf you get PiP'd.

What if you change items on a stock vehicle which according to the schedule would lessen its performance... do you get de-PiP'd from stock rating?

As an example:
Rules are if you add electronic fuel injection to a carb car, it is 6 PiPs.

So, if you did an engine swap which ran a carb, (and took the PiPs etc. for the swap) would you then run at 6 less overall PiPs because you no longer have fuel inj?

[ScotcH]

Given: If you change items on a stock car which are percieved to enhance perf you get PiP'd.

What if you change items on a stock vehicle which according to the schedule would lessen its performance... do you get de-PiP'd from stock rating?

As an example:
Rules are if you add electronic fuel injection to a carb car, it is 6 PiPs.

So, if you did an engine swap which ran a carb, (and took the PiPs etc. for the swap) would you then run at 6 less overall PiPs because you no longer have fuel inj?

Nope :) You could however use the dyno option if you though the swapped motor was making less power than the original.

[DT Racer]

So I take it a car is assumed to always be up to its stock classification with the only exception being negative PiP's for a roll bar?

And at the risk of repeating what you already know re your motor:
Your head gasket leak must be so far only cyl to cyl which would be a loss of power only. The danger if you keep running it is if the gasket degrades further and coolant finds away into the oil passages/pan somehow. Coolant/oil/bearings dont mix- that would take out the bottom end and a good chunk of your re-sale value.
(I'm assuming that last check your oil wasn't already magically higher on the stick than it should be which would mean coolant already in the oil).

[ScotcH]

Yes, basically only a roll bar or cage is rewared. The only other way to drop down in PIPs is to use the dyno plot option, which is certainly a good idea if a swap is made with significant changes in power (up or down).

Thanks for your input re the HG. The oil has been fine ... no contamination so far. I also don't seem to loose any coolant (water actually), and I have no over-heating issues, which all support your theory. I'm still deciding what to do :)