Which head should I use?
 

Well I'm stuck, I can't make a decision on which of my heads to use. Just wanting some feedback from you use so it'll sway my decision and make it easier lol.

I've currently got a 2000 head with around 42k mi with a polish (aka dermel tool). But I think it has a sticking valve issue or it could be a few other things, never the less it will probly need to be reworked.

I've also got a spare 94 head with a good port and polish, unknown mileage :(. I could snag up an extra exhaust cam and do a exintake mod as well.

So do I keep the 2000 head and have it reworked if need be or pop the 94 head on and do the exintake mod?

run the good head now, get a mild p&p on the other with a complete valve job. Doing things right the first time > chasing problems.

fixing a sticking valve is not a hard job I wouldn't think.

Well im not sure if its a sticking valve. I finally have time to look at it tonight. Hopefully it could be something simple and i wont have to do a head swap.

Well I had a mechanic friend listen to the tapping noise from the 2000 head and says its a rocker and probly just needs a valve adjustment. So time to do some research, first of are 99-00 valves adjustable? Is it shiming? Do I know wtf I'm doing........ nope haha. I'll figure it out eventually.

lol@rocker.

Yes, you get to shim them.

get a second opinion.

and if the second opinion says it's a rocker, get a third.

maybe he should upgrade to a hot-cam at the same time.

I'll admit, Im relatively clueless when it comes to heads lol.

I thought about doing the exintake mod with another exhaust cam out of a 99-00. I've seen it been done, not sure if the benefits are as nice with the same mod to a 94-97.

Hot-cam=??

After further investigation I discovered that the shims on piston #4 on the exhaust side were a little worn but what was worse is the flat spot on the cam lobe. Rights right on the ramp.

So I need a new exhaust cam, really would like two. I don't want to have my car sitting around until I find one so I'm popping the 94 head I've got and going to have the 99 head rebuilt and hopefully do a inexhaust cam mod to it as well.

I figure I'll still be able to reach 250rwhp and 240tq @15psi with this head. Hopefully......

Taking hustler's advice and I'm going to quit chasing problems.

it wasnt the rocker? maybe a push rod? lmao

Are we talking about a 454 here? Or a miata motor? :giggle:

Haha yeah I took whatever the mechanic said and ran with it, trying to make myself feel better about the noise really. Didn't really think it through either. Once I finally got a chance to look at it I realized that when I said rocker it made me look like a huge dumbass. Ah well, shit happens, learn from my mistakes, and fix the problem.

but he'll have to take the motor out so he can pull it out of the block.