If there is no risk why do others go?
Advised not to do bottom end, bottom end failed, given bill for second engine, went to court, won, second engine paid for.
Not only that but when the engines stripped damage is often found to the bearings.
Should have been clear, I'm talking solely 2.5 here.
I'd be interested to know who the tuners are not doing them, because the more well respected ones i know of now wont rebuild without bottom end.
my info isn't based on one failure or pub talk, comes from sources with considerably more experience than you. Simply put headgasket failure on a 2.5 is a gamble if you don't do the bottom end at the same time.
mate of mine was advised by a highly regarded tuner bottom end didnt need doing, less than 1000 miles after the build (not even run in), guess what, bottom end let go. He had to go as far as court to get his money back, which he did.
Ah k not to worry then, wasn't sure if you;d gone syvecs or not yet, the iphone/android app is free direct from syvecs for that. just need the bluetooth module
my dad didn't want to get force to run 99 so had it mapped for 95, dropped from 330 to 300 so about 10% drop.
However even being mapped it did eventually drop a valve.
this a double post?
My type R was speced for 550,
2.5 closed deck converted block
mahle pistons
manley rods
v5 sti heads with super tech valve kit
ARP headstuds
ACL race bearings
syvecs ecu
and a huge list of ancillary and supporting mods
Problem you have is it sounds like its the physical system that's a problem and while the CEL can be mapped out, you will still have a mechanical valve that could be in the wrong position.