1g or 2g head

[larryd]

when putting on a 1st gen TB and IM I have the choice of putting in a 1g head or porting my 2g head from 56-60mm to match the IM & TB.

Would it be more beneficial to go with a 1g head instead of having the 2g head ported or would a properly ported 2g head be better??

I was reading on RRE's site about doing the 1g head swap and it seems like alot of work with the cam angle sensor? Is it as much work as it seems to be or are they making it sound overly complicated, can anyone simplify the swap for me?

 

[jdmawd]

from what i understand, even the best highest flowing 2nd gen port job. will only flow just a little better than a 1st gen head(stock)

 

[larryd]

yeah thats pretty much the same thing RREs website says.. though a 2g head can be made to flow as good maybe a little better then the 1g head, why bother??

But the problem is this cam angle sensor thing? Ive read it over and over again and I dont understand what I have to do. Are there other parts that I need and what is different.. god i hate feeling like a newb..

 

[NJGSX96]

I believe the 2G head has a better design. From what I have heard, a properly ported 2G head will outflow a 1G head and then some. Depending on how much the port job would cost would probably be the deciding factor. You can get a 1G head and sell the 2G head to recoup some of the costs, but if you port the 2G head there is no way to recoup cost unless you bend over and clench.

 

[larryd]

true.. the toss up here is though a 1g head is already the right size.. it seems like alot of modification to make it work.. Atleast thats the gist im getting from RREs website, and I dont wanna pretend to be a mechanic and screw myself becuase I dont know what im doing..

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

How much more HP can be gained from a ported 1g head on a 2g than a ported 2g head? Anyone know? I doubt it that's why I'm sticking with the 2G head. More work to install the 1G head compared some undocumented gain. I don't think so

Later,

 

[jdmawd]

I dont wanna pretend to be a mechanic and screw myself becuase I dont know what im doing..

HA HA .......HA HA DUDE, dont feel bad me either. i cant even remove a valve cover without it breaking

 

[NJGSX96]

Good ol' tip from your Uncle Richie....
To remove the valve cover easily, get a long screw driver or even a pry bar. Place it under the little hose mount on the left side (where you attach the catch can) bracing the edge of the screw driver on the TB or CAS or something else in the area - something solid - and with one swift motion, push up on the handle and watch the valve cover pop off with ease.

 

[jdmawd]

I KNOW but i missed the bolt next the #1 plug and it shattered around the hole

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

I have 3 threads shattered where the spark plug cover goes from tightening to much. I'll remember to remove all the bolts when pulling the cover off though don't want to damage it anymore.

Later,

 

[larryd]

well guys if it makes any difference to ya I decided to stick with the 2g head and just port match the intake ports to a 1g intake manifold and round off the ports on the exhaust manifold..

 

[95gstproject]

larryd to put the 1g intake manifold on the 2g head is there anything special you have to do?
Thanks

 

[jw]

Originally posted by MuttedTSiAWD
How much more HP can be gained from a ported 1g head on a 2g than a ported 2g head? Anyone know? I doubt it that's why I'm sticking with the 2G head. More work to install the 1G head compared some undocumented gain. I don't think so

Later,

Unless you are already running the 120mph trap, use the money else where.

 

[97EclipseGSX]

There is no map sensor on a 1g head.
I believe that is the only kinda major thing.

I don't see why you wouldn't be able to hook it to any vacuum line though.

The coil pack mount is different.

 

[Mistaspakles]

Go with the 1G head. I'm doing it right now. The whole setup for the swap cost me $500 including all of the gaskets.

 

[rdrkt]

If the headgasket cost 110 and the arp head studs cost 90 this means you got a head for 200 bucks?

 

[GSTspeedracer]

stick with the 2g head and just port match the intake ports to a 1g intake manifold and round off the ports on the exhaust manifold..

this is what I would do also if I was at that point ! A big head is a nice item BUT I've seen some MEAN time slips with a stock 2G head. The 2g head is supposed to be a better design internally, but the 1g is just bigger on the ports all around.

But the problem is this cam angle sensor thing?

These also differ from 1g and from a 2g to a 2g. Meaning, I THINK and pretty positive that a 95, 96 2g cam angle is different than a 97+. There's a lot of little differences between the years of our cars.

I dont wanna pretend to be a mechanic and screw myself becuase I dont know what im doing..

It's nice to hear someone else admit this, cause I've read a billion things and still get to a point that I say @#$% just let a real mechanic do this one and give back to me when your done....hehehe

Also BANG FOR THE BUCK keep the head and intake and just a BIGGER turbo........but eventually you'll need to go the head route to get every litle bit of power from the turbo into the head. Unless your trying to max this COMBO you have already, which is the smaething I'm gonna do with my turbo setup......blah blah blah anyway GOOD LUCK just trying to make a decision!

 

[larryd]

thanks for all the advice guys, the head is at the shop right now, just porting the intake ports to match a 1g intake manifold, rounding off the exhaust ports and cleaning them up.. thats it, nice and simple.. I also went with Crower 1mm oversized SS valves, springs and retainers and cams