I was planning on getting some headwork done to my GS before I put the cams in. That, and also my valve seals are bad so I wanted to replace them. Should I just pull my head and have it ported/polished and then get the valve work done, or should I buy another head to do the work to, install cams and springs/retainers in so I can just swap heads later and have everything done already? If anyone has a 420A head in decent condition laying around let me know.

Also, will my ECU adjust to the increased flow from a street p/p, or will it outflow the injectors or stock fuel system? From what Ive heard, you dont need aftermarket fuel management unless you go turbo or you want to tune your fuel system.

The stock ecu will be fine with a port/polish head. I would just get another head and do the work so you dont have any down time. Then after you get that head in your car, then sell the stock one that you have left over if it is in good condition which i wouldn't see why it wouldn't be.

Agreed, if you can get another one and have that ready to go then you'll only be without your car for the weekend that it takes to swap the head. much less frustration and potential for the "fuck-its" to take over

yeah, i'm a big fan of getting the parts together before you do the work.

if you can spare it, i'd grab another head and have all the work done then just drop it in.
it's also one less thing to worry about when redoing an engine. :P

Thanks guys. Im actually talking to a guy in Ashville who has a head for sale for $50 with no cams, and he said all the other valve train components come with it but not on the head. If hes willing to ship it Ill most likely get that one, have it checked, ported/polished and then put in new valve seals and wait for my cams to get here.

Originally posted by foggy45
yeah, i'm a big fan of getting the parts together before you do the work. if you can spare it, i'd grab another head and have all the work done then just drop it in. it's also one less thing to worry about when redoing an engine. :P

+1 this is the only car i have to drive so gathering parts then building up while still getting to drive is a plus.

Originally posted by foggy45
it's also one less thing to worry about when redoing an engine. :P

plus if for some reason the new head is borked, you have the old one to slap back on to keep going

Yeah i've got a mild port and polish on my head and the intake matched and it runs fine on my stock ECU.

Heres the head in question. I figured Id have some trained eyes take a look at it. I think it looks alright, but I may be missing something.

Um, its dirty?



The one thing I would be concerned with is the cam caps. I see that the front cap is missing (probably just left off). Hate to get this from someone else only to find that the caps are missing (or, just as bad, from another head). Just a thought.

yeah the big thing is the cam caps (and surfaces)........... make sure they arent torched and are all there. other then that get a spare ported and then slap it on all at once. oh yeah............ i port/machine heads.......










hope i can post those pics.


mike

Wow ^ Looks to good to put back on the car.


My plan is, if I get this head, to take it to a local machinist, and have him check it first. If it all looks good, Ill have him clean it up, give it a street port and polish, and redo the valve seals.

Damn mike! what do you charge for that kind of work? when I get a head to throw on mine I want you to make it look like that

street porting pacakges start at 600.00 shipped.


mike

Just be sure to have the Head Hot-tanked and surfaced and you should be good to install your new hardware (after any headwork of course).