stock or stage 1 rebuilt head for a 16g setup

[l6u9k6e9]

Hey, im buring oil uptop and im looking to have CI rebuild a head i have laying around, i have a 16g set up running 8lbs for now. Assuming i stay at 8 lbs is there any need for anyting more than a stock rebuild? I have a built bottom end with 8.0:1 wiseco pistons.. so maybe i would turn up the boost later on but i dont think anymore than 15.... Id rather not waste money,,, what do you guys think? by the way here are the links,,,,


stock,,,,,

http://www.mainsitepage.conceptillu...ce Head Pages/Race Heads/Stock Head/index.htm


Stage 1.......


http://www.mainsitepage.conceptillu... Head Pages/Race Heads/Stage 1 Head/index.htm

 

[clipsit]

I have heard...someone correct me if I am wrong, but HRC runs close to 400 ponies w/ their turbo kit on a stock head. Also I believe, but have not researched too much into it, that Lotus or the company that makes Lotus's parts, uses the same head or is made by Lotus, but I am pretty sure it's the same head used in a certain Lotus? Once again, someone straighten my story out if I am twisted somewhere. I will be running 14-15 daily on my rebuilt block with all the forged internals and all the goodies and a stock head that has had the valve guides replaced. Pretty much an overhaul of the head and what needed to be replaced was replaced to OEM standards, but w/ a port and polish and a 3 angle valve job. Besides that, it's all stock on the head. It's really up to you and how deep your pockets are and if you really wanting to run alot of boost or push the HP limits on the car...it depends on what your goals are for this car or if you just want it to run right. Usually a stage 1 is a street polish or a mild port...isn't it? I don't know, but it just depends. I think you could get away with a stock overhauled head if HRC can, IMO. It's personal preference and how much $$$$ you are willing to spend. There is a couple hundred $$$ difference from the stock and stage 1 on CI site, but the stock rebuild is about what mine was, for what was done and the price it cost. So if you are willing to spend a couple extra hundred for a stage 1, or you have a couple extra hundred $$$, then I think that you should go ahead and get the stage 1, but like I said before...Look at what your goals...then what is realistic, finacially...then go from there and let us know what you go with. Good luck man.

 

[BigRand]

personally, If your not trying to spend all the money in the world, That stock kit for $495 (after core charge), looks really good. Although not to take anything away from CI, I think you can get cheaper price if you ask around at a local machine shop, if you have one near by that does good work. If not then CI is looking like your best bet.

 

[selmerguy]

A valve job shouldn't cost more then 150. I like CI, but unless I was really beefn up my head i wouldn't send it to um. Plenty of local machine shops that could hook your head up for much less. A valve job is not rocket science. 450 is alot for a stock head. If you look online. there is a company that will send you a rebuilt head for 300 and pay for you sending your core back. I have got many 420a heads from them and they are clean. I cant find a link right now but they are out of texas. It takes two days for you to get the head after you place the order.

 

[clipsit]

Like Rand said...

not to take anything away from CI, I think you can get cheaper price if you ask around at a local machine shop, if you have one near by that does good work

If there is a shop that has been around for a while that does good work, then that would be your best bet. Unless you like CI alot and that/s the route you want to take. I got mine done by a local shop and I could not be happier.

 

[l6u9k6e9]

Well its not that i like or dont like CI, They are a known name here and would have more to loose if they totaly fu*ked my head up. Its just that im stationed in Delaware and i dont know any shops in the area so i would rather send it out and know there is a good chance it will get done right than to let some guy work on it who i know noting about... If anyone knows a company such as the one mentioned above from texas , please do post a link, email or number where i can get intouch with them, im all about saving money and i love my car so i dont want to sell her. especially since im boosting now, which today was my first day withought problems and holy shit!

 

[selmerguy]

I think this is the company I was talking about. I remember paying 322 shipped for my 420a head. Might want to call and talk to um.
http://www.headsonly.com/

 

[clipsit]

Sounds great!!! CI sounds like your best bet then, unless you can hook up with someone on the forum who knows of a place. Post some pics when the head is done..from wherever you get it done from. Good luck man.

 

[Blitzeclips]

Well its not that i like or dont like CI, They are a known name here and would have more to loose if they totaly fu*ked my head up. Its just that im stationed in Delaware and i dont know any shops in the area so i would rather send it out and know there is a good chance it will get done right than to let some guy work on it who i know noting about... If anyone knows a company such as the one mentioned above from texas , please do post a link, email or number where i can get intouch with them, im all about saving money and i love my car so i dont want to sell her. especially since im boosting now, which today was my first day withought problems and holy shit!

Nice. Another delaware Dsmer in here. Hey man im in Delaware too, and Ive had my whole head ported, polished, and completely rebuilt (new valve job, cams, etc.) from a local machine shop called R&K motors. Im not sure how fimiliar you are with upper DE, but its very close to Newark, or Bear. I can give you their number and my buddy Edgar does GREAT work over there. the polishing was VERY high quality. They include a 4,000 mile warranty too. Also, check out Car Version 2 (they have a website) and 1st State Motorsports. These are all in DE, and they have very reputable services. Ive learned from experience. matter of fact, CV2 is dyno tuning my car next month. Anyways, let me know or shoot me a PM if you need some more info.

 

[dr1665]

Find a local machine shop. Hit up Google if you have to. They are around and a resurfacing for the HG, valve job, and valve seal install is something ANY qualified machine shop will be able to do for you for MUCH less than $450. (That's more than a quarter of what I paid for my head without cams and I went all out on it.)

Pick up PTCruiser lifters and followers from your favorite online source, a new set of valve seals, and ship it all off to a decent, LOCAL machine shop. You'll be glad you did. A local shop is going to look you in the eye and tell you the head is good. Not just ship it back and hope you don't notice anything they didn't even inspect.

Unless, of course, you want to pull the head off and send it back a couple times until they get it right at CI. :shrug

Price is a bit high. You could possibly even find a good condition used head here or on 2GNT in the sale/wanted forums and install that. Most people get a good used head when they buy that way.