Of course it's pretty hard to tell from those photos, but the lobe looks stock to me.
If you image search poncams, or anything else, you will see how much "fatter" the nose of the cam looks.
That sucks about the gasket! People do weird shit
Maybe because you said you didn't care about peak power just response they didn't bother making it hold boost.
I do find it hard to believe that they trialled various camshafts for some reason, but never made it hold boost...
Toothbrush and degreaser,
Hands and knees/or garage creeper,
Doing it yourself will work cheaper.
Look for broken stuff with your peepers.
Seriously surprised I had to rewrite that for you.
What do you mean advanced timing is correct? First I've heard someone say that in relation to an efi car.
What's a stage 1 ecu?
Only in first is odd, but the rev range you mentioned is what a coil pack misfire would first become noticeable.
What gap plugs you running?
Many, many times a head gasket will pop and not break into an oil area. So the lack of milky oil means basically nothing. No way 2 side by side cylinders just happened to wear out for some reason. I would put money on the gasket. Cash money.
I'm sceptical the bolt from the gym was the correct pitch. I suppose you got it in there, but that's dodgy as considering even if it is the correct pitch, it certainly isn't rated the same.
But looking at the shonkyness of those rails it probably wouldn't bother you