looks like the franken is getting parked for the winter.......

[monomer]

I had thought about an intake grid heater.  Anyone tried this?

Dodge has

[nathan_b]

my franken mk1 started -12f with stock glow plugs, no block heater. never failed to start in cold.

[R.O.R-2.0]

You are running a Franken with a too thick head gasket, complaining about starting issues at 20F?!? 

By the way, your turbo is surging up high so better make that wastegate do it's job before your turbo detonates.

If you read the original post I KNEW frankens arent the best starting wise.  I dont push my car to max boost much at all so the wastegate is staying blocked.

Im just wondering if it is worth the time/money to put a 1.6 1 notch in.  I generally plug my car in at home and at work so thats not the trouble.  Before I did the overhaul I had a tractor tank heater on the engine which worked real good but I had to open the reservoir for the coolant or it wouldnt pump.  I may just drive the old ford aspire to work for the winter.  Having my car plugged in all the time is a PITA, and since the franken setup the engine doesnt heat as good as the old stock head/block did.      I also dont relish the idea of driving my rust free car anymore in the winter salt.

it would get better mileage with a FUNCTIONING wastegate..