Head work on a mk2 VTR

20th April 2010, 19:00

I am looking into getting some head work done on my mk2 VTR and was looking for some advise etc. I have done a search and some research on the topic but as this is a saxo site, i think its the best source of info.

Here's what i am looking at doing -

Port and polish head
Skim head
bigger valves (resealed)
new gaskets
Stronger valve springs
Mild cam
New cambelt
Remap + raised rev limiter (7k)

From this i am hoping for around 130bhp combined with my other engine mods
(manifold,exhaust,panelfilter)

Firstly are there any other work that is worth doing whilst the head is off?

The main issue i am having problems with are the valves and valve springs, i think i understand the benefits etc but am struggling to find which ones will fit and potential gains.

Where can i source these bigger valves and springs from? I not looking for the biggest and best, just larger than standard to give a decent gain. The bigger the valve, the more work needs doing to get it to fit etc so a straight swap would be handy.

Am i right in saying the rallye has bigger valves and stronger springs?

Any websites/contacts would also be appreciated

Thanks in advance
Craig

20th April 2010, 19:04

If your raising your rev limiter I would look at getting one of the Black Top heads which have solid lifters on. This would be better to start out with for all that work.

The Rallye 1.3 head has a more lairey camshaft compared to the Saxo 8 Valve Cam.

For the work, look at LAD (think they have a new company name now) as these do some very good work.

20th April 2010, 21:58

Cheers mate

anyone else?

20th April 2010, 22:00

100% GMC for 8v headwork - I wouldn't go anywhere else for 8v's

Can only go so far on standard pistons, might be better to go high compression with them and valve cut-outs so you can run a nice camshaft, but then may as well fit TB's and then standalone and the cost mounts up

20th April 2010, 22:54

i didnt want it to get that expensive tbh.

I did look at having the valve seats recut also.

any advice on where to get bigger valves?

20th April 2010, 23:17

with the work your looking at getting id get a 16v conversion instead. if you do that , with an exhaust and manni + breathing mods you'l be looking at 130bhp ish !!
plus youl have more prospects with a 16v than an 8v.

20th April 2010, 23:37

A 16V conversion would be cheaper and more effective, but I can understand you wanting to do something different. I thought the same and wish I hadn't bothered haha.

Piper do uprated valve springs for silver top engines - £60 direct from them. I'd say a Newman PH3 (with a vernier pulley) and the timing adjusted on the rollers would see your target of 130bhp. Absolutely no need for a remap when using a PH3 or similar cam from my experience, but no doubt others will tell you different.

I'd also urge you to go for a closer ratio gearbox with that kind of setup too - will make the power much more useable.

20th April 2010, 23:50

Cheers for the replies.

would i not get a lot from a remap? i was thinking of going for the ph3's.

would a VTS gearbox be better, or should i get an S1

20th April 2010, 23:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTR_Craig

Cheers for the replies.

would i not get a lot from a remap? i was thinking of going for the ph3's.

would a VTS gearbox be better, or should i get an S1

S2 rallye box would be best...alot say the 1.3 rallye box's on 8valve rev limit just isnt worth it. Unless you got your rev limiter raised. Havnt used one myself on an 8valve though so no personal expereince from it.

21st April 2010, 00:00

Getting the car mapped with a PH3 or similar profile cam is a waste imo - the cam isn't wild enough. Sure you would gain a few ponies, but for the money it costs it's not worth doing imo.

I had a Kent PT40 (which isn't far off the profile of a PH3) and the car ran exactly the same as before - no lumpy idle or anything like that. Unless you were told, you wouldn't notice. Mine made 118bhp at the fly after having the timing tweaked. AFRs were checked at the same time and everything was a-ok. The car made peak torque at ~3krpm and peak power well before the limiter, so no real reason to up the rev limit - keep money towards a closer ratio box.

The only other wilder cam I know of for silver top engines is the Kent PT41 - not sure if this would require pocketed pistons/ throttle bodies though.

A VTS or 1.4 XSI gearbox would be ideal - I belive the ratios are the same so you could always pop an XSI final drive into a VTS box for the same effect.

21st April 2010, 00:02

cheers mate, i will see how it runs and idles after the work

any ideas on bigger valves?

21st April 2010, 00:04

Best way mate. Set it to standard timing initially and see how it feels - I guarantee it will run fine though.

Not sure re: bigger valves. With a PH3, I don't think there'd be any particular need for bigger ones. GMC or Sandy Brown are who you need to speak to.

21st April 2010, 17:29

Cheers mate