Last time I ran at a Lockeed Autocross event I noticed that in between runs, everytime I started the car I got a lot of white smoke. This only happened at the even so it may have something to do with the abuse on the motor, I do not get the problem under normal driving. Anyways, I am thinking I may need a new headgasket, this will be verified after a compresion and leak down test hopefully this weekend. I am thinking of gettings JUN cams soon so if I change the head gasket I am also thinking, "might as well get something to higher the CR" if it is a smart thing to do. Any recommendations?

Use OEM?
Use Spoon?
Use Mugen?
Any other brands?

and if possible downsides to using thinner gaskets....

Sorry so long, I hope this will turn into an informative topic even if I don't have to change the HG.
I searched for Headgaskets but all I found was CR ratios and and HP gains between Mugen and Spoon, but nothing about downfalls of not using OEM.

Thanks

 

If you don't plan on running high compression pistons when you do the JUN setup, use a Mugen or Spoon HG...the mugen will give you ahout a .4 bump, where the spoon is just about .3. Otherwise, an OEM replacement metal headgasket will work, bonus is that you can reuse it when removing the head for whatever reason.

After driving your car for a while, let it cool for about 10 minutes and open the radiator cap and see if there is a lot of air in the coolant. If there is, you most likely have a leaky headgasket.