so everyone out there with an aftermarket head feel free to chime in.
who sells a good ;durable head not looking for giant valves but good strong stuff and maybe ;probably stronger springs. gonna run the same cam so just want a nice port job and nice valve job and springs . who's got it ?

 

I have the same question actually - I just had a spark plug somehow work its way out of the socket, burning out the thread behind it - so I need a new head myself. If anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear them, I was thinking it might be a good time to get a performance head since I have to replace it anyway...

 

I replaced my new '06 OEM head with the m7 Cosworth.

Did it at 2,000 miles.

 

2nd that

 

Last I looked there was a ported and polished head on Ebay going for $1000.
Jay

 

Just looked on Ebay and found the head you may be looking for. It's got all the bells and wistles with the current bid at $510. Item no# 180048361443. The guy selling it had over $1800 worth of work done on the head: larger valves; port polish; some thing called a Ferrera valve train w/ titaniom retaners and sronger valve springs,
Jay

 

Good valve train parts and titanium retainers. $1800 easy.
More than the original poster was looking for and unless he plans on some serious mods to go with the head it might be a bit much.
For $1K though it might be hard to argue.

 

To be honest with you, I wouldn't waste my money on heavier springs unless I planned on going over 8000 rpm. Other than that it's just creating more parsitic drag on the little motor...I can set you up with the machine shop that did my head. I am still using all stock valve train components, just larger valves. We were able to make impressive gains with a stock head and stock valve components for a reasonable price of around $650. If your interested let me know. -- Johan

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MINI-...QQcmdZViewItem

 

when i do this (this summer) i gotta go with a reputable vendor or machine shop like denzyne. i wanna know it's been magnafluxed and is good to go . a good place will back the product.

 

I nominate this thread for wacky thread of the year award for the following.

Herbie asks for advice and then says he will go with a reputable vendor/machine shop like denzyne. ( sounds like you had denzyne already picked out ). Then Herbie wants to magnaflux aluminum. ( you will get laughed out of the shop on that one ) What I really think you meant was PRESSURE TEST the aluminum.

 

I replied to everyone's PM and I will make sure to keep everyone Posted as soon as I am finish getting the results from mine. -- Johan

 

wow guess i am old . i said denzyne as an example richard . or is it ****? and yes i forgot mini put aluminum on cast; i thought that was considered iffy. funny you're the first here to jam on me on this everyone else has been very helpful . remember one twice daily and don't drink while on them .

 

Actually the name is Bill.

 

Magnaflux is a corporation.
Possibly he was referring to using a Zyglo process.
FPI testing a very good idea. Unfortunately the brand name is often used in a generic manner. Wouldn't be the first time I've heard it used wrong.

A little slack wouldn't really hurt anyone.

 

thx obe but he got me . i eel like i'm so not worthy now. pls. forgive my ignorance all . i promice it WILL happen again. but just try to read between the lines when dealing with those of lesser knowledge. now about this glycol process....

 

no one is making castings other than the original factory, so you're going to get some flavor of OEM head.

Most want a usable core. Yours may not be. That will add to the price.

I'm not sure I"d go with "this is what I want, where do I get it"..... I'd suggest finding your vendor, and then talking to them about how to get the improvements required to get to your goals. That will work better in the end. Each builder has a different "style".....

What are you looking for? Want a better head without upgrading valves? Why not? Want a better valve train with the stock diameters, doesn't really make sense...

Set your goals, talk about what it takes to get there with the vendors and shops that you're considering, and go from there. You will get at least as many ways to get to where you want to be as shops you talk to.

Matt

 

form what i've read many of the head tuners for the mini don't always go with bigger valves . but i have read that even the stock valves have been known to float at 6000 rpms . this latter bit does seem absurd cause who would put a red line at 750 rpm more than actual ;but i thought a little better springs couldn't hurt.. i'm basically looking for strength and if a good porting and valve job ad hp well that's good too. i'd be fine with 10 - 15 h.p. for the 650.00 from someone like johans guy . see i started the thread for recommendations . ex; i've got x amount mls. on my cosworth -all is well. that type of deal. no offence but to shell out even 500.00 on a sight unseen off ebay just doesn't work for me . the core chg. won't be an issue. my heads at most got some guide wear (hopefully). i don't have the tools or knowledge to flow this one so hence the thread.

 

Just so you know I have the same guy Johan had work his head starting on mine. The core as a matter of fact is Johan's old one.

Mine will be a while out though because I'm waiting on M62 package results which will impact my specs and may be going with better pistons at the same time.

My target is a reliable 210+lbs/ft.

 

I'm hoping that the 210 that you want is after the 62 and pistons? I have a good source for pistons too. There 430 with rings. I want to get a pic of the domes though before I buy them.

 

After whatever it takes to get there

I'm assuming head, probably pistons, better ECU map, header and then maybe the M62.

I'll settle for 200 if I have to. Might be a lightweight flywheel/clutch combo will help as well.

 

Good deal You had me worried for a sec. I was thinking you meant 210 with just the head. Just to let you know too I have 2 Spec stage 3+ clutch kits. Ones going on my mini and I'm going to sell the other one. Stupid on me why I have two. -- Johan

 

Is this DMH Don

 

The fact of the mater is, why not bigger valves, is what most head builders do. In the big picture bigger valves can't hurt, it's just how big. All valves float. Unless you are using pneumatic followers, springs are too slow with conventional followers. There is an instance where the valve spring stalls in harmony with the momentum of the follower. There are all kinds of spring arrangements, types and presures that are used to control the float. So when someone tells you that the valves have been known to float at 6k, how do they know? Unless there is a very radical cam with a high ramp speed ( barely noticeable slap), you can't detect the slap.
The valve springs are matched to cam events so they are not too heavy or lite. There is a lot of thought a good head builder will put into all aspects of the finished product.

It sounds like Johan & Obe have a good sourse for building heads. At a good cost for performance too. You wanted recomendations. So, talk to a tuner who will give you what you want & they will tell you what you need & how to get there.

 

Yes it is.
If it's the same head then they are dramatically underselling their supplier.
Sounds good