shaving the head?

[MCG89]

I'm thinking about shaving the head on my 96 GST, but i read some pro's and con's and cant decide. Just looking for advice on what people think. main reason is wanting to bump the compression ratio on it

 

[bryanwheat]

Is the head already off and needing the surface cleaned up, or are you just wanting to pull the head and do it in hopes of gaining performance?

 

[MCG89]

better spool up for my turbo

 

[94_TSi]

better spool up for my turbo

Really, or are you kidding?

 

[bryanwheat]

You aren't going to gain any noticeable faster spool by machining down the head. You would be way better off to port the exhaust manifold, turbine housing and o2 housing.

 

[Rideit636]

It won't make your turbo spool better at all. Even a half compression point has negligible results in spool time. Not at all a good idea. Waste of time and money. You will not get any real performance gain from it also. If in the future you needed to have the head surfaced because of damage, you may not have enough left to cut it and keep it in spec. Why do I could go on and on, just don't do it. Anyways, according to your profile, you still have a T25 (no aftermarket turbo listed). Why in hell would to want to spool any quicker than that!

 

[92AWDHX40]

Yep just port it if you want to help with spool up.

 

[MCG89]

this is the newb section for a reason right? the car is getting rebuilt as of now and a guy at my work brought about getting the head shaved for better gains. thats why i asked on here because it didnt make sense for me. the head is ported though. so thanks for answering my question.. as for turbo. a garrett gt38 turbo is going on it, thanks.

 

[RadDsm]

Any specific reason for a GT38? You'd be the first person I know to use one on a DSM.

 

[MCG89]

Because I got it for $50 and it's practically brand new. Plus for fun

 

[tkelly27]

Shaving the head was a thing to do on V8's to gain compression way back when. You can do it to a DSM, but it is easier to get pistons that are set up for the compression ratio you want. You get stronger pistons and just about the exact compression ratio you are after.

Make sure that turbo is real. $50 turbos are often not worth the price paid for them. If it is new and it is a knock off it may be troubles. Hell, if it is a real garrett you may still be up the creek.