Is new head gasket a must?

[suprra_girl]

the reason the hg is a must is because.........

from the factory toyota neglected to torque the headbolts to the correct value
so they only torqued to 58ft lbs where they actually need 72ft lbs

depending on power output you want you can stay with the stock hg or upgrade to a metal head gasket
if you just wanna do the 12psi, exhaust, intake thing you should be fine (on a new hg)
for high boost/power applications a mhg is recommended (hks or cometic)

basically... the original torque setting is the failure on the 7m (it's a very capable motor)

7mges also blow hg's... just take a little longer hehe