Trying to gather a list of head builders to make a final decision to ship mine off. So far i've found 3, any more recommendations?

4Piston Head Build Options list page

InlinePro Head Build Page

Urge Design Head Build Page

 

Hey mate, what are the options? Bigger valves? keepers etc...? I don't know much about these things it's not talked about much since the OEM is quite good so I've read.

 

 

I think Urge farms all their stuff out to Endyn.

 

Blacktrax are good people. I'd trust them.

 

Port Flow Design, Competition Cylinder Heads
they have been around forever

 

Manganese Bronze valve guides and Berryllium exhaust valve seats are things i hadnt even heard of, i like how 4P racing seems to have the latest materials and equipment looking into them some more.

 

It seems that even though our heads flow well the biggest cause of engine failure is from a dropped valve.
How can we avoid this from happening?

 

Dont know about dropped valves being biggest cause of engine failure, as far as FI s2k's throughout on the forums id have to say that overheating/thermal discipation is the biggest cause of engine mishaps.

What i've read as far as valve life is 3 things.
1. Valve material(so the valve can stand up to the heat and it not literally burn off)
2. Valve guide material(better guide material like bronze or bronze manganese have better lubrication which allow tighter valve guide to valve clearances. Which means less unwanted valve movement longer service life)
3. Valve seat material (RARELY talked about but biggest benefit. It turns out that better valve seat material which is what the valve actually makes contact with, is responsible for taking heat away from the combustion chamber AND absorbing the impact from the valves.


This is only what ive carefully read and gathered and this will be my first head build so i will be sharing my philosophy and documenting my experience and am open to suggestions.



This gives great explanation:
Understanding valve seats

 

Options are stronger or harder or lighter or thermally conducive or less friction properties with just about all materials. Then theres price and size.

OEM is excellent but most of these engines mine included are over 100k miles and i plan on running the next 100k miles harder than the first 100k. A simple compression and especially leak down test will show if your valves are leaking. To replace a valve you have to take the entire head apart so might aswell upgrade.