Big Valve (mi) Head From Dave Baker?

[engine killer 6]

dear mates,

 

i have been planning to get a big valve head from dave baker last year but unfortunately he was just too busy to take my order. i have blown my engine during a track day event and now it is in run-in procedure. the point is i still want to try the big valve but don't want to let anyone unfamiliar to it to open it for me.

 

the cost for me to get it done will be much higher than you guys in GB, shipping cost is no cheap and it's not easy to find a spare head here.

 

has anyone got any experience with DB's BV head? is it worth installing? shall i stop waiting for his reply and dump the BV head idea?

 

thanks for any comments.

[huckleberry 0]

I don't know Dave personally but all I read here is that he is extremely busy. You could also try Longmans who can probably do the same and have a good name in the racing business as far as I've read.

[smckeown 1]

do some research on here, there's plenty of research to indicate of flows extremely well anyway. What power target do you have, and what is the spec of the rest of the engine. There are people that have 210+ bhp with no BV head. There's plenty of real flow research done by petert

[petert 586]

It annoys me when people sell big valves without telling the whole story. DB has recently expanded his web site to explain the full extent of what is necessary to use bigger valves in an Mi16 head. It was a bit "thin" a few years ago. I suggest you read it thoroughly. If you can fully absorb it, you'll appreciate the magnitude of work involved. Then you can make decisions about the type of valves you want to use, springs, solid or hydraulic etc. More flow doesn't instantly mean more hp. Your head might have the capacity to make 300hp, but other components will limit the hp.

[Batfink 201]

Another good engine builder is Mark Shillaber.

[Dino 3]

Dont forget Richard Longman too

[engine killer 6]

What power target do you have, and what is the spec of the rest of the engine.

actually power "figure" is not too important to me but the feeling and lap time when you drive it is more important. rest of spec... balanced crankshaft, JE high compression oversized 85mm pistons, 85mm overbored liners, Saenz forged conrods with ARP bolts, Schrick fast road cams, vernier pulleys, Jenvey 45mm tbs, XU10J4RS oil pump.... have been using Longman's ported and polished head already.

 

It annoys me when people sell big valves without telling the whole story. DB has recently expanded his web site to explain the full extent of what is necessary to use bigger valves in an Mi16 head. It was a bit "thin" a few years ago. I suggest you read it thoroughly. If you can fully absorb it, you'll appreciate the magnitude of work involved. Then you can make decisions about the type of valves you want to use, springs, solid or hydraulic etc. More flow doesn't instantly mean more hp. Your head might have the capacity to make 300hp, but other components will limit the hp.

 

read DB's website so many time already, just wanted to hear more user's comment because i know NO-ONE will say the product he/she sells is not worh it. RR is not easy to be conducted here so have to consider very carefully what to go with RR. wanted to place the order early this year but... now the engine is fully rebuilt, if i have to swap the head it will cost quite some money again for labour cost. instead of getting a scooby i just want to see how much can a 205 do.

 

thanks for your view anyway.

[petert 586]

I also now doubt the value of building a big valve head and running hydraulic lifters. There's a big difference between a click blap to 8K between the traffic lights and a sustained 7400 RPM down the main straight. If you're going to invest in a well built head you may as well do it properly and fit solid lifters. Having a pair of new valves hit a piston would really dampen your spirits.

 

It's all well very well to engineer a nice 16V, but I was brought back to ground recently when a standard Lotus Elise (with 120kW ?) did a 1:51 at our local track, Eastern Creek. The very best 205 Mi16 can just manage 1:53.

[notamondayfan 44]

surely that says for track useage ud be better off investing in chassis related equiptment, instead of engine upgrades?

 

mind u, the ellise is know for its excelent handling.

[d-9 0]

Another good engine builder is Mark Shillaber.

 

Do you have any graphs to support that comment?

[Sandy 191]

Virtually every competitive engine down here has either Shillaber or Willis heads, so much for the graphs

[d-9 0]

Who did the headwork on Marks blue XSI sprint car that was at haynes last? I'd be prepared to give him money coz that was a damn impressive engine.

[christopher 5 1 Cars]

If I had an arm and a leg spare, the only guy I would go to is...Guy Croft. This guy is a legend in the fiat tuning world. A quick look at his site says it all http://www.guy-croft.com/ OK I have a fiat so I am a bit biased

Edited June 12, 2006 by christopher