99 head swap and compression
#1
99 head swap and compression
Hi all, I'm currently rebuilding a 99 head and intake to fit on my 1.8 mk1 (94) as I know that there are gains to be made from the head as it flows much freer than the stock head/intake. After this I will be making a choice as to whether I should stay NA or go turbo (for drift).
My question is, what does a 99 head swap do to the compression figures? Does it raise or lower compression of the engine? (assuming stock head gasket is used)
Also would like to hear from anyone whos turbo'd with a 99 head swap, was it worth while?
My question is, what does a 99 head swap do to the compression figures? Does it raise or lower compression of the engine? (assuming stock head gasket is used)
Also would like to hear from anyone whos turbo'd with a 99 head swap, was it worth while?
#2
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Hi all, I'm currently rebuilding a 99 head and intake to fit on my 1.8 mk1 (94) as I know that there are gains to be made from the head as it flows much freer than the stock head/intake. After this I will be making a choice as to whether I should stay NA or go turbo (for drift).
My question is, what does a 99 head swap do to the compression figures? Does it raise or lower compression of the engine? (assuming stock head gasket is used)
Also would like to hear from anyone whos turbo'd with a 99 head swap, was it worth while?
My question is, what does a 99 head swap do to the compression figures? Does it raise or lower compression of the engine? (assuming stock head gasket is used)
Also would like to hear from anyone whos turbo'd with a 99 head swap, was it worth while?
FWIW, a 99 head swap is common and it sure means much better figures all around.
Now; please post your location below your avatar.
#3
Thanks Rafta. I've done a lot of searching on this on many different miata forums but have never found the answer, theres a lot of talk of 99 head swaps, and a lot of separate talk about compression ratios but I have never found a straighforward answer of the compression ratio of a 99 head on a 94, 1.8 engine. (which is what i'm hoping to find out)... unless my search skills are that bad!
#4
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true, i dunno if ive ever heard that either. Is the compression difference due to piston differences in the motor or less quench area due to head design? Is the head gasket the same thickness? The answer to these questions would help find the answer.
#5
Its in the Pistons, they're slightly less concave than the earlier year models. if the gasket is any different, its probably only oil/water passages, doubt it matters even a minuscule amount if they changed the gasket size. I have a compression dropping head gasket for my Audi, but that bitch is like half an inch thick (not really) 2-3 mm iirc, so i dont think they would change compression with a gasket if they were already changing pistion, or, even if they weren't.
#6
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its too bad you missed the part where he suggested you PUT YOUR MOTHERFUCKING LOCATION IN YOUR GOD DAMNED PROFILE. Follow the ******* rules...please.
As for compression ratio...it supposedly stays unchanged but only patsmx5 knows the truth since he measure that **** before headwork.
As for compression ratio...it supposedly stays unchanged but only patsmx5 knows the truth since he measure that **** before headwork.
#8
its too bad you missed the part where he suggested you PUT YOUR MOTHERFUCKING LOCATION IN YOUR GOD DAMNED PROFILE. Follow the ******* rules...please.
As for compression ratio...it supposedly stays unchanged but only patsmx5 knows the truth since he measure that **** before headwork.
As for compression ratio...it supposedly stays unchanged but only patsmx5 knows the truth since he measure that **** before headwork.
+1 on all the advice given. The 94 vs. 99' head should have the same volume combustion chambers. So compression should stay the same. The pistons were changed in 99' to increase the compression. Turbo FTW.
#9
I've done a lot of searching on this on many different miata forums but have never found the answer, theres a lot of talk of 99 head swaps, and a lot of separate talk about compression ratios but I have never found a straighforward answer of the compression ratio of a 99 head on a 94, 1.8 engine. (which is what i'm hoping to find out)... unless my search skills are that bad!
#11
I've seen both heads before, they "look" the same on the combustion chambers. 99' head has a slightly better angle of attack (not good, just less shitty). Diff spec cam w/ solid lifters on the 99', but other than that, they appear highly identical. If there is a difference, it's very small and largely insignificant.
#12
EDIT: Ahh, Pat ninja'ed ahead of me. I figured they would be close.
#13
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correct me if im wrong but didn't they jump to a hemispherical design on 99+? so i've got a hemi? haha
99-00 head swap does make a power difference. went and drove a 95 with similiar mods as mine and it just seemed to lag behind. and my VICs isnt even working! haha
99-00 head swap does make a power difference. went and drove a 95 with similiar mods as mine and it just seemed to lag behind. and my VICs isnt even working! haha
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All miata heads are "hemi". VICS are normally open when not hooked up, so you won't see any more power hooking them up such that they stay closed until activated. Mine's unhooked so it just stays open all the time. Seems to work better on my setup with them open all the time.
Stealth97 said he saw a 10ft-lb or so increase when he had VICS working, but he has a nice n/a build. What im stumped on is Artie's stock 99 manifold with butterflies in but not working and having more mid-range torque than the gutted 99 manifold. What caused it to have more tq if the butterflies were sitting wide-open vs not even there?
#16
Ah, i failed, i thought i was cool for a minute tho.
Stealth97 said he saw a 10ft-lb or so increase when he had VICS working, but he has a nice n/a build. What im stumped on is Artie's stock 99 manifold with butterflies in but not working and having more mid-range torque than the gutted 99 manifold. What caused it to have more tq if the butterflies were sitting wide-open vs not even there?
Stealth97 said he saw a 10ft-lb or so increase when he had VICS working, but he has a nice n/a build. What im stumped on is Artie's stock 99 manifold with butterflies in but not working and having more mid-range torque than the gutted 99 manifold. What caused it to have more tq if the butterflies were sitting wide-open vs not even there?
My motor makes more power from 4k+ with the VICS open. Whether it makes a difference below 4k, dunno, but it's not noticeable.
#19
Anyway, the reason why i wanted to know is, that i wanted to find out if the 99 head swap makes the engine better for NA (by increasing compression) or better for turbo (by decreasing compression).
and apologies for the location; now added