Sources for head uprades...

[zmannz]

So, my block is off at the machine shop getting stripped down and cleaned right now. I am having it built back to oem, but using better than stock wrist pins, piston rings, and bearings for sure. If there are problems with the pistons or rods, I am just going to order one of those full master kits and set the block up how I want it to a "t" and be ready for 400 hp. I am having it balanced too. I have had no problems finding any parts for the bottom end that I need, and have seen bearings in multiple sizes available for replacing anything in the motor. My problem is this: I haven't seen one after market set of valves (edit: make that only one set on ebay) or spring reatainers for this motor. As far as valves go, I am okay with reusing stock/oem units along with a 3 angle job and decent working of the flow characteristics. What I really want though, is some decent retainers that will lighten up the valve assembly a little, enough to get my rpm's up another 5-800 safely. Will I need solid lifters for that too? I would put them in anyway, but the motor will be slightly inaccessible for a lot of fine-detail tuning in the head once it's in the car. Remember, this is going in an rx7, not a 240. The dry sump system is definitely going on too!

[ca18detgabby]

my 2 cents.......

you have it out now and are debating where to this or that...... it is much easier when the motor is out, might as well do it right the first time.

IIRC tomei or Jun..... makes retainers......

as for lifters, little bit beyond my tinkering knowledge of these engines, but I havent seen many or anyone that I can remember using solid lifters. They would def cut down on some of the extra sound effects though...

[Ca_Silvia]

you can use aftermarket z32 dual springs for use in our heads. JWT sells them

[meminto]

I am using brand new oem retainers, the total weight is 191 grams. I looked into the jun retainers and honestly its not worth it..

A decent set of springs, new oem retainers and valve guides and you will be sweet as..

Supertech make aftermarket valves for the CA, intake is nitrided and the exhaust are made from iconel material. Unfortunately they do not make oversize ones.

[athomas08]

my company makes custom Titanium Valves and Retainers. I was going to make myself a set when I recently re-built my head but I did not have time. E-mail me if you are interested, [email protected].

[zmannz]

Well, I went to four parts houses in town today and couldn't find the right kind of spring compressor/"valve lifter" to remove my valves. Poo. Anyways, I found the Jun ti retainers, 440 dollars on sale is a little high for some feather light fancy shaped washers. I will stick to oem. I found out about the z32 spring option here locally today too, and the local sound guy is obsessed with vg's and z cars, so he is hooking me up with some extra hd springs he has. I am hoping my valves and guides are still plenty tight. I am not spending a grand on friggin' after-market valves unless my **** is totally shot. I think my red line increase will be fine on stock cams with adjustable gears and the heavy duty springs. Working on figuring all that out soon.

In other news, I was very impressed with the design of the nissan s13 dash under side and cover. I was very frustrated removing the dash from my rx-7, it was all attached to the wiring harness and all one piece, it sucked *** getting it out. I pulled the entire dash and all pieces in it, down to taking all the ductwork from the blowers and dampers, and removing all but the dash bar and the heater and a/c cores, AND the entire wiring harness, all in about four hours. And I labeled every single connector and made new pin-out drawings for everything in the harness I am using and converting/rewiring to get power to the fc chassis and lighting.

I have to get my long block done, get the dry sump system on it, get everything in the engine bay mocked up, then do a test fit of the motor and transmission to get my mounts made and cut into the firewall/fenders/subframe if necessary. Only after I do that can I get to work on a new dash(gonna be vacuum formed fiberglass with cf wrap) and start putting the s13 harness into the fc chassis and wiring up my ****. I am going to build a complete car domain page while I am in downtime waiting for the motor and stuff to get done and get the credit cards paid off again (just put my whole 600 dollar stimulus check into my credit card account like gw didn't want )