Oversized valves OR Cams?

[Jeff_Jeske]

I am in the process of building a six bolt motor. This week I would like to take the head in to get a valve job, seals, and a decking.

While researching valve jobs I see many people have oversized valves installed. Upon further research I hear that our valves are actually a flow limitation and that people with CAMS are only compensating for the smaller than needed valves. Basically most engine builders recommend bigger valves over a more aggressive cam. This is normally shot down due to added costs and added difficulty associated with making the seats larger.

Well here in WI we are blessed with some very good machine shops. Many of them support the local stock car races and many are familiar with turbo 4 cylinder motors.

If cost wasn't an issue....how many of you would prefer to go with larger valves over cams?

Any advice (backed up with fact) would be greatly appreciated.

Respectfully,
Jeff Jeske

 

[peregrine]

seeings how the stock head goes into the 10s no problem i would go with the cams.

 

[Got_Boost29]

I would say cams gotta come first; then later down the road OS valves... I have both; 264/272's and OS Valves, and i saw better gains w/ the cams.

 

[Jeff_Jeske]

Thanks.

 

[PaleDSM]

I'd go cams. I have never heard that the stock valve size is a major restriction. Cams are a proven power maker though.

 

['98 AWD DSM]

go with the cams dude

 

[bigemrich]

Well here in WI we are blessed with some very good machine shops. Many of them support the local stock car races and many are familiar with turbo 4 cylinder motors.

True that. It is nice to have several machine shops just around the corner. Not to mention the four or five performance shops in my little town of butler

--Kyle

 

[RayH]

Though cams will make a bigger difference, if you plan on eventually doing both, it's alot easier to do the valves now while the head is being worked on and put cams on later than it would be to put cams on now and pull the whole head later just to add the the valves.