building turbo heads, questions.

[cwriley]

after putting a new stock motor in my 1g eclipse i tore down my old heads. I want to built a turbo engine. i know i have to get a 4g63t block ecu injectors etc. etc. but i am wondering if i can re-build my n/t heads to fit a turbo block, will it fit the same? (planing on building a 2.3l turbo bottom end)

and also cam sizes, i read up and decided on hks 264 cams but when browsing there are hks 264 cams with different lifts sizes, what size would i need, i want to built a descent turbo motor but not a drag car just something to open up and hawl a on the weekends ideas and thoughts are appreciated

 

[92tsiawdguy]

look into 272 cams for a 16g or bigger turbo. The turbo and non turbo heads are the same. The only difference is the cams.

 

[MichaelSuch]

Turbo and non-turbo heads are the same, only difference is the stock cams that they come with. I believe the NT cams actually are a little bigger. There should be a plug on the oil gallery to feed oil to the turbo still. So yes you can build your NT head for a turbo build.

The cams will be up to you and how much power you ultimately want to make. If your building a stroker I would recommend some FP cams that have been designed for the stroker engines. I have some regular FP2 cams in my car and I LOVE them. I believe the FP3's are designed with the stroker in mind. You will also need upgraded valve springs for most of the aftermarket cams.

But honestly if you're not building a drag car, I wouldn't build a stroker. I would go with a stock rebuild if you're limited on money. Stroker builds are not cheap, and if you're doing that much work you'll want to get a tuneable ECU, bigger than stock turbo, big injectors, fuel pump, etc...

 

[Tanro]

Turbo and non-turbo heads are the same, only difference is the stock cams that they come with. I believe the NT cams actually are a little bigger. There should be a plug on the oil gallery to feed oil to the turbo still. So yes you can build your NT head for a turbo build.

The cams will be up to you and how much power you ultimately want to make. If your building a stroker I would recommend some FP cams that have been designed for the stroker engines. I have some regular FP2 cams in my car and I LOVE them. I believe the FP3's are designed with the stroker in mind. You will also need upgraded valve springs for most of the aftermarket cams.

But honestly if you're not building a drag car, I wouldn't build a stroker. I would go with a stock rebuild if you're limited on money. Stroker builds are not cheap, and if you're doing that much work you'll want to get a tuneable ECU, bigger than stock turbo, big injectors, fuel pump, etc...

The only thing that is more expensive are the pistons. If you plan on going forged you might as go 2.3... The crank can be had for less than 100$ if your patient. The rest is just pistons.

 

[tenn-gsx]

But honestly if you're not building a drag car, I wouldn't build a stroker. I would go with a stock rebuild if you're limited on money. Stroker builds are not cheap, and if you're doing that much work you'll want to get a tuneable ECU, bigger than stock turbo, big injectors, fuel pump, etc...

Are you serious? The stroker makes a GREAT DD engine. A 2.0 will rev higher which is better for all out drag racing. For someone who has a lil cash and just wants to have some fun a stroker makes sense. A stroker hgas more torque for better low end power, it will spool any turbo quicker. These 2 things alone say better DD engine. The only 2 downfalls I see to a stroker are the cost and the rod ratio. The ratio is said to make a stroker not last as long as a 2.0.

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

after putting a new stock motor in my 1g eclipse i tore down my old heads. I want to built a turbo engine. i know i have to get a 4g63t block ecu injectors etc. etc. but i am wondering if i can re-build my n/t heads to fit a turbo block, will it fit the same? (planing on building a 2.3l turbo bottom end)

and also cam sizes, i read up and decided on hks 264 cams but when browsing there are hks 264 cams with different lifts sizes, what size would i need, i want to built a descent turbo motor but not a drag car just something to open up and hawl a on the weekends ideas and thoughts are appreciated

Like everyone else has said, the non-turbo head is the same except for the cams. While you are rebuilding the head I would seriously consider switching to the 3g lifters. The ITM ones can be had on ebay for around $75 shipped IIRC.

Also just like you can convert a non-turbo head to a turbo head by changing the cams, you can convert your non-turbo block to a turbo block by changing the pistons (either stock 1g turbo, 2g or evo turbo, or aftermarket forged pistons). The non-turbo block doesn't have oil squirters but those aren't considered necessary anyways.

I went from non-turbo to turbo earlier in the year so it can be done, just takes a lot of planning and preparation. If you have any questions feel free to ask or check out my blog to see how involved it can be.

Good luck on your build, hope this helps!

 

[cwriley]

thanks guys so i can use the old heads, for a 2.3L stroker turbo build i should use 272 cams and 3g lifters, any other suggestions such as what brands are best and where i can buy them, i have both time and money, this isnt something i plan on just doing one weekend. i want to have it all mapped out before i actually do this. but i already got my old heads tore down and was waiting to send them off for machine work, port polish and i have been told a 3 angle valve job is ideal, am i correct in this thinking?

i have been a mechanic for about 4 years but have never done any engine builds so this is my first and want to be very thorough and plan everything out. thanks to all who posted so far

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

thanks guys so i can use the old heads, for a 2.3L stroker turbo build i should use 272 cams and 3g lifters, any other suggestions such as what brands are best and where i can buy them, i have both time and money, this isnt something i plan on just doing one weekend. i want to have it all mapped out before i actually do this. but i already got my old heads tore down and was waiting to send them off for machine work, port polish and i have been told a 3 angle valve job is ideal, am i correct in this thinking?

i have been a mechanic for about 4 years but have never done any engine builds so this is my first and want to be very thorough and plan everything out. thanks to all who posted so far

With most 272 cams it is usually recommended, but not required, to use aftermarket springs. On my head I am going to be using springs/retainers and 272 cams in addition to the 3g lifters that I already have. The only reason I am doing this is so that I can rev higher to get the most out of the turbo I plan on using, a hybrid 20g. This is just a basic head upgrade. If you want to go all out with a port/polish, oversized valves, etc it can it very, very expensive. What are your goals for the car?

 

[cwriley]

goal summed up is to have a badass honda eater. not looking to make it into a drag car just something i can drive a little hard and be able to take it (while also having major upgrade in hp and torque)

i honestly have so many goals its hard to find somewhere to start, i love my dsm . but i guess i will start with engine. i have tried to read up on forums to find a descent motor build, i WANT A TURBO so bad because the n/t just isnt fast enough for me. im thinking about doing a 2.3l stroker eagle rods, wiesco pistons ( not sure if i spelt that right) eagle crank and new bearings, upgrade cams, valve springs lifters and rockers, port and polish the heads 3 angle valve job, skunk2 camshaft gears, i know i would need to upgrade fuel pump and injectors and probably bigger fuel rail. its mostly all in my head right now just gunna start buying parts each month and put it together slowly.
im guessing its gunna take me about a year to build the motor, probably a month or so to get it tuned right once its in there. and i dont know much about how turbos operaterate but am trying to do as much research as i can.

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

goal summed up is to have a badass honda eater. not looking to make it into a drag car just something i can drive a little hard and be able to take it (while also having major upgrade in hp and torque)

i honestly have so many goals its hard to find somewhere to start, i love my dsm . but i guess i will start with engine. i have tried to read up on forums to find a descent motor build, i WANT A TURBO so bad because the n/t just isnt fast enough for me. im thinking about doing a 2.3l stroker eagle rods, wiesco pistons ( not sure if i spelt that right) eagle crank and new bearings, upgrade cams, valve springs lifters and rockers, port and polish the heads 3 angle valve job, skunk2 camshaft gears, i know i would need to upgrade fuel pump and injectors and probably bigger fuel rail. its mostly all in my head right now just gunna start buying parts each month and put it together slowly.
im guessing its gunna take me about a year to build the motor, probably a month or so to get it tuned right once its in there. and i dont know much about how turbos operaterate but am trying to do as much research as i can.

I know what you mean about wanting a turbo bad. I was the same way. But you NEED to consider your goals and make REALISTIC plans to reach them. It is good to formulate a plan before you begin but the plan you listed is way exceeds your goals and you are going to have so much money and time sunk into your car that it will take all the joy out of spanking a few hondas.

To have a honda eater, all you need is a stock 'turbo' rebuild on the block, ARP headstuds, boost gauge/wideband, exhaust, 190 fuel pump, FMIC, tuner/logger (SAFC2 or V3 lite), 650 injectors, and a 16g.

To step it up to a v8 eater, wiseco 8.3:1 pistons, ACL "race" rod and main bearings, if you have a 6 bolt - stock rods, 7 bolt - forged rods, ARP hardware (rod, main, head), 272 cams, adjustable cam gears, valve springs, boost gauge/wideband, full 3" exhaust, 255 fuel pump, AFPR, FMIC, v3 lite, 850 injectors, 20g or holset 35 turbo.

If you really want a stroker you can add that with the added cost of a crank. If you want a fully built head you add that with the added coast of machine work and porting and the rest of the valvetrain components. Why do you think you need to upgrade your rockers? Are you just naming valvetrain components? Also the stock fuel rail (as well as ignition system) will be more then enough for your goals.

Hope this helps!

 

[cwriley]

it does help, thanks for the advice i will probably ask you some questions later on. solved