Head interchange question, need quick answer if possible

stackz

Founding Member

Jun 13, 2001

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james island, sc

Apr 24, 2004

#1

• Apr 24, 2004

• #1

is there any difference in the 2.3 n/a heads and the 2.3 turbo heads other than say...valves or camshaft??

I found out why the engine wouldn't idle...the two center chamber exhaust valves have cracks going all the way to water jackets...

I've still got the engine from my 88 donor car so can I bolt that head to the turbo motor and just swap the turbo cam into it and go like that or are the turbo heads "special" or something??

 

realtripp

New Member

Mar 1, 2003

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Ft. Madison, IA

Apr 24, 2004

#2

• Apr 24, 2004

• #2

This info is from my machinist and he showed me the difference. I had the same problem with my turbo head, and I am using a 90 head.

The combustion chambers on the turbo head are quite a bit larger. He measured the stock compression ratio with those and it came out at 7.6:1

The NA head measures at 8.0:1, and strangely enough the ports were a bit larger on this one.

He wanted to unshroud the valves on the NA head and I didnt have the money to let him do it which sucks, but oh well.

This is all I know.

 

stackz

Founding Member

Jun 13, 2001

1,352

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james island, sc

Apr 24, 2004

#3

• Apr 24, 2004

• #3

so are you using the n/a head on your turbo engine?? any problems when you raise the boost or not?? is it giving you any trouble??

 

realtripp

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Mar 1, 2003

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Ft. Madison, IA

Apr 24, 2004

#4

• Apr 24, 2004

• #4

Yes I am using it on the turbo block. I had the turbo valves put in there. I have not run it at all yet.

I think that I will be able to run about 15psi without intercooling and will run more when I get an intercooler. The ideal CR for these engines is 8:1 and my 1985 block was running 7.6:1, so I should have no problems.

I just haven't accounted for murphy's law yet.

 

Bearded Forever

Type O Danzigative the Dark

Founding Member

Sep 4, 2000

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Vinland

Apr 24, 2004

#5

• Apr 24, 2004

• #5

I'm running a ported n/a head and I have no problems.

 

stackz

Founding Member

Jun 13, 2001

1,352

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58

james island, sc

Apr 24, 2004

#6

• Apr 24, 2004

• #6

crovax how much boost are you running on the n/a head??

I tossed mine on earlier and already have the engine all buttoned up...probably wont get around to putting it in the car until next month or so but it's all together.

all I did was toss the cam/followers from the turbo head in the n/a head and toss it on the block.

I hear some people on the various other boards and here say to only run 10psi max and I hear others saying they're running upwards of 20psi, some intercooled and some non-intercooled.

I honestly dont know what to believe heh.

 

Asha'man

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Feb 5, 2002

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Denver

Apr 24, 2004

#7

• Apr 24, 2004

• #7

Depends on the valves, I would think. If you keep the n/a valves you're probably gonna burn one pretty quick. If you put the turbo valves in with a good valve job, though, I would think it's just like a turbo head and you can do whatever do it.

Ash

 

Bearded Forever

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Founding Member

Sep 4, 2000

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Vinland

Apr 25, 2004

#8

• Apr 25, 2004

• #8

I'm running 15 psi. Later today I'm going to turn it up to 16psi. Come Monday I'll know whether or not I can front mount the IC and then I'll push 21 until I get a new spring frm Ric Gillis.

 

stackz

Founding Member

Jun 13, 2001

1,352

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james island, sc

Apr 25, 2004

#9

• Apr 25, 2004

• #9

Asha'man said:

Depends on the valves, I would think. If you keep the n/a valves you're probably gonna burn one pretty quick. If you put the turbo valves in with a good valve job, though, I would think it's just like a turbo head and you can do whatever do it.

Ash

Click to expand...

oh, crap. I just pulled the head of the n/a engine cleaned it up and tossed it right on the turbo block.

hm, crovax did you put turbo valves in your head or do something similar to what I did?