High Flow, Low Cost, 8V Cylinder Head Project
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
High Flow, Low Cost, 8V Cylinder Head Project
I have been doing research for quite some time now on a high flow, low cost 951 cylinder solution. LR sell a stage III head that flows great but $1,619 with a core was quite a bit more than I wanted to spend. Nize did a custom high flow head a while back but the cost on that was also very high ($2,500). From my days of building Chevy's I just believed there must be a way to get a high flow solution that is much more affordable. So here is where I am at:
Bought a 951 8V head for $50 as all the valves were bent from a broken timing belt.
As I stated in another thread, through A LOT of research I found a company that manufactures SS 951 intake (and exhaust) valves in the OEM size (45mm) but also in +1 (46mm), +2 (47mm), and +3 (48mm) for $26/each! These valves have the OEM 9mm stems, are OEM length, have OEM keeper grooves, and are undercut. As many of you know 2.7L intake valves (47mm) are hard to find and cost about $130/each new. The company that sells the valves is SI Valves:
http://www.sivalves.com/index.html
The valves are not listed on their website but they have them and they have them in stock. I ordered the valves Wednesday and received them today. Here is a few pictures.
Notice the undercut to improve flow. The orginal valve was not undercut.
The original 45mm valve head (left) and the VTM 47mm head (right)
This solution will be significantly cheaper as only the intake seats will need to be replaced. The OEM guides, springs, and retainers can all be used and again the intake valves are only $26/each. If custom or Chevy valves are used custom guides would also be necessarily but in this case that is not required. I originally tried to purchase custom valves from Ferrea but they do not offer custom valves in 9mm stems as they do not have 9mm blanks. Therefore I would have been forced to go with something like 11/32 stems with custom guides which would be A LOT more expensive.
I have been doing a ton of research on porting as my plan is to do the porting on the intake ports myself. A machinist with 30 years experience also gave me a lot of good advice. I was able to purchase the necessary equipment as shown below at Harbor Freight for about $50. I will post final pictures of the porting by Sunday. The porting will be similar to the pictures shown here:
http://www.aftracingheads.com/Project9.html
Lindsey has great info and flow data for different modified heads here:
http://www.lindseyracing.com/LR/Parts/LRHEADS.html
I will be flow testing my design under the same conditions as LR to see how it compares. I should have these flow number in 1-2 weeks and will keep this thread updated.
Bought a 951 8V head for $50 as all the valves were bent from a broken timing belt.
As I stated in another thread, through A LOT of research I found a company that manufactures SS 951 intake (and exhaust) valves in the OEM size (45mm) but also in +1 (46mm), +2 (47mm), and +3 (48mm) for $26/each! These valves have the OEM 9mm stems, are OEM length, have OEM keeper grooves, and are undercut. As many of you know 2.7L intake valves (47mm) are hard to find and cost about $130/each new. The company that sells the valves is SI Valves:
http://www.sivalves.com/index.html
The valves are not listed on their website but they have them and they have them in stock. I ordered the valves Wednesday and received them today. Here is a few pictures.
Notice the undercut to improve flow. The orginal valve was not undercut.
The original 45mm valve head (left) and the VTM 47mm head (right)
This solution will be significantly cheaper as only the intake seats will need to be replaced. The OEM guides, springs, and retainers can all be used and again the intake valves are only $26/each. If custom or Chevy valves are used custom guides would also be necessarily but in this case that is not required. I originally tried to purchase custom valves from Ferrea but they do not offer custom valves in 9mm stems as they do not have 9mm blanks. Therefore I would have been forced to go with something like 11/32 stems with custom guides which would be A LOT more expensive.
I have been doing a ton of research on porting as my plan is to do the porting on the intake ports myself. A machinist with 30 years experience also gave me a lot of good advice. I was able to purchase the necessary equipment as shown below at Harbor Freight for about $50. I will post final pictures of the porting by Sunday. The porting will be similar to the pictures shown here:
http://www.aftracingheads.com/Project9.html
Lindsey has great info and flow data for different modified heads here:
http://www.lindseyracing.com/LR/Parts/LRHEADS.html
I will be flow testing my design under the same conditions as LR to see how it compares. I should have these flow number in 1-2 weeks and will keep this thread updated.
Last edited by refresh951; 06-08-2012 at 08:52 PM.
#3
Definitely looking forward to seeing what it does on a bench. I've got a n/a head laying around full of bent valves.. hmm...
Really been liking the new life that's been breathed into the 944 world over the last year or so, lot of great low cost stuff.
Really been liking the new life that's been breathed into the 944 world over the last year or so, lot of great low cost stuff.
Trending Topics
#8
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Thanks mate!
#11
Rennlist Junkie Forever
Should have used a 8V NA head.
And you'll need more than 2mm larger valves to make it a good flowing head.
I made with stock valve sizes on a 2.5L engine with a ported 8V NA head 400RWHP at "only" 17psi (with the rest of the top end flowing well).
TonyG
And you'll need more than 2mm larger valves to make it a good flowing head.
I made with stock valve sizes on a 2.5L engine with a ported 8V NA head 400RWHP at "only" 17psi (with the rest of the top end flowing well).
TonyG
#12
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
I guess good is a relative term. I want to stick with the ceramic liners. The exhaust port flows better than the intake port on the stock 951 head. I think this modified head intake will flow about 30% more at 28" H2O vacuum. I will be flow testing the head to see how it performs. This is my first attempt of probably several. Anyway, the valves are the key to this thread.
#13
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Got a few hours in my shop this afternoon and made some progress on the porting.
Here is of picture of the tools I have been using, all from Harbor Freight.
Intake port before pictures.
Intake port after pictures. (note: all valve guides will be replaced)
Here is of picture of the tools I have been using, all from Harbor Freight.
Intake port before pictures.
Intake port after pictures. (note: all valve guides will be replaced)
#14
Basic Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
are you going to polish those ports to a mirror finish?
#15
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter