Are there any signs of HG/Ringland Failure on Hawkeye STI's
 

I'm looking at a hawk with 55k, modified to circa 350hp.

I'm really nervous about pulling the trigger on it purely because of the well known issues regarding the 2.5L cars.

Are there any sure fire ways to predict if there will be issues? Or is it purely pot luck.... Knowing my luck i'd buy it and 3 months in be faced with a 4k bill.

Put my mind at ease.

cant predict it, service as suposed to, decent fuel, get anything that need sorting sorted and thats all you can do.

What i feared :(

What happens when either goes? In terms of whether it can be driven etc.

I havent even bought it yet and i'm considering my recovery options :D

Overheating is only apparent under boost usually where the head lifts.
So if you test drive it give it a bit

Is the main sign of either failure overheating then? I mean, would a first sign be the gauge on the dash showing too high of a reading?

Simple answer is no... But it's pretty much a given that either will fail at some point.. If it hasn't been done then factor in for repair/replacement because as sure as the sun will rise one or the other will fail. And just for repair you'll be looking at few grand..assuming it doesn't ruin anything else when it fails.. But in all honesty you'll be closer to 5 grand when you choose other forged options.

Signs of hg failing.
Ringlands is oil usage which you aren't going to detect on teat drive

Yes it will stay in the red for prolonged periods.. You may also get a sloshing sound when you rev the engine as the water moves around..

It will take while for it to overheat, so doubt it would show up on a test drive.