Blown Head—how to repair?

[McSpooney]

So I had a Blast yesterday at thunderhill East with my lotus-owning brothers. Actually did it backwards. On the drive home the dash light comes up for coolant level... so I stop and fill the tank with water. Turned it on and it’s pumping smoke out of the exhaust. I tried to block off the hose to the AOS just Incase that’s the culprit... but the smoke persists. So I get a tow. This morning I did a coolant pressure test—and coolant comes seeping out the exhaust flanges on cylinders 4-6 which also had thrown a misfire code. So... either a blown head gasket or cracked cylinder head. I think I’m screwed.

So. Masters of the 986, can I pull and swap the head with the engine in? Is it way worse than pulling the engine?

I ask because... I’m not just lazy, I really don’t have space to have an engine out at my house. I’ll pull it if it’s that much easier though.

Side note: should I swap in a 3.6? Or wait for the next major catastrophe? Should I just give up on this motor? It has 97k miles.

Please 986 masters, I beg for your assistance.