Blown Head Gasket need advice

Blackcrimzon

I have been having an overheating issue on my Z. At first, I thought it was the thermostat so I replaced it. The heating issue returned the next day. The temp gauge would go up to the max and then come down to normal every 10 to 15 seconds or so while it was idling. When I was driving the temp was fine.

So I took the car into a shop today and the guy there told me that in his opinion I have a blown head gasket.

Anyone had this happen before and know of some options that aren't going to break my bank? Or a shop that might be cheaper than Nissan? I live in Mesa AZ.

I was in the future planning on doing an engine rebuild to make my motor a 4 liter but was saving up for it. I do have a credit that I could charge it to but not sure of how much it would cost as I haven't really checked into it as I wanted to save up around 7k or so before I started looking. Anyone know how much it would cost to do an engine rebuild along with fixing my Head Gasket? I figure since they would have it apart that I might as well so it all together. That is assuming that it would be around 8k as I don't have much more than that.

I was also thinking that to just fix it to just buy a used engine from someplace and just do a motor swap. Not sure if that would be cheaper as I have a TT build.

Just looking for some advice from someone that has had experience with having your engine rebuilt and the cost. Or someone that has had a blown head gasket fixed and or had an engine replaced.

I connected Nissan and they wanted 3500 just for the basic labor of the blown head gasket with no machining if it needed it. I don't want to pay that much as it most likely would cost a lot more. I also got a straight quote from a guy that included the cost of the parts needing machined to be about 4500 to 5k.

So anyone that can give me some good ideas I am all ears/eyes. Thanks in advance.