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Builders and racer advice needed - Heads

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Ampdub Officially Full-On Dubber

310 posts · joined May 2006 ·

#819699
Ok, I just need some advice due to Aust being parity on the $USD. I am looking at getting some performance parts in for a motor build later on. I would like some head advice and on the cost effectiveness of the build. I have done some reading and have established that you need to buy heads before camshaft as you select the cam to suit how you drive and where you want power, but with head selection is there such a thing as too big no matter what cam is selected?

I am leaning towards at a set of CNC ported 044’s (wedgeport or the like) or DRD racings selection but in some readings people have mentioned port velocity losses and so on at the valve. Would it be wise to get something large and sore them?

My motor build is looking like a, within reason, HiPo 1916 (or stroked if I can keep motor width normal), with the possibility of forced induction (I am in mock-up stage at the moment). I would like to keep my budget within limits so if I purchase things as I go the savings make it worth it for the larger purchases. I am looking to get the best heads I can for $1000 approx landed as I would like to avoid duty if I can but who knows if I find the right ones.

On the other hand is it worth just getting something built here or buying one off Penrose, are builders just paying American retail and adding postage and a percentage or are they purchasing at trade/wholesale? If the latter I would not mind giving them my business as I don’t want to pay two lots of retail tax and duties. I would love to just get something built later rather than do all this stuffing around (including them getting the heads), that would be nice but if I can save some money for other go fast parts who could blame me.

If I could get some realistic advice from established builders and racers (like Rod Penrose) who have tried and tested builds on motors and have a realistic understanding on what a motor can and cannot do (sorry to the keyboard mechanics) it would be very helpful in putting my mind at ease.

So to sum my rant up, buy as I go (and here the head advice would help), or buy a complete longblock later?

Sides Veteran Volks Folk

2,220 posts · joined May 2007 ·

#819704
Find your builder, then talk to them and see what their suggestions/recommendations are.

Around Brissy and from personal experience I'd recommend Dave Butler (on here as dangerous) - he built my 1915 with 044 Wedge Ports, 11:1 compression, FK87 etc ...... it gives pretty healthy hp figures 😉

I know a couple people who've had good results with Matt Berry (on avd also) as well as Leon from Leon's Motors, so also worth a call.

A thousand ways to skin a cat, but pretty sure they'll all tell you it's the combination... best to have the complete plan before spending any $$$

👍

btw - race car, street car, or a mix ???
VWDCQ vice pres & web dude - vwdcqinc.org.au
Join a car club - get car peeps

My toys
'70 Hillclimb Bug 'Jezebel' w/- Haltech EFI - http://bit.ly/VwTNtQ
'60 KG Coupe - resto kinda started
01 New Beetle - gf's car, but I turn the spanners

66brm Seriously Crusin Dubber

140 posts · joined Nov 2009 ·

#819707
My advice is to ring Rod, tell him what you are after, I got a 2176 (78.4x94) off him a while back at a great price. If its set up right ie all machining done, correct rod length etc then you can have your cake and eat it too, mine measured up at 2mm wider than a stock 1600tp.

1916baja Custom Title Time!

1,990 posts · joined Sep 2007 ·

#819718
yeah, i second that you cant go past rod.... looking at his prices for alot of things its almost like he generally charges what he pays for things in the US but doesn't seem to charge much freight US -OZ, i think its because he fills containers and pays a flat rate on shipping it all back here. He'll certainly be the first call i make when i'm ready for a motor....

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#819723
yep talk to Dave or Matt if yr in Brisbane

what fuel do u want to run thats a big point
I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk

2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 ·

#819751
Talk to Craig Brown at Crankshaft engineering in Brisbane, he has built hundreds of engines over the years and go back a long way to manx buggies when it was owned by Tom Pootes,
Has all the machines in house and has excellent knowledge on vw heads

Ampdub Officially Full-On Dubber

310 posts · joined May 2006 ·

#819865
Looks like I have some phone calls to make and see if it’s better for me to purchase parts under their guidance and build when I have them all together (spread the cost and save with parity) or just get them to build a complete longblock.

I just want to run pump unleaded, the type will depend on build I gather.

Thanks everyone that commented, but keep your experiences coming. I can only think that there are others with this swilling around in their heads.

Cam

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#819876
I just want to run pump unleaded, the type will depend on build I gather.

ive been running unleaded for years no probs with the heads
I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#820021
It's a big subject with heaps of variables to take into account. Best to call a few builders and run with those you feel comfortable with, most builder's will have their own ideas or variations to what you 'need' or what 'works'.
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE