Head Swap Questions
 

I have searched this board with every keyword I could think of, and I could not find a central location for all of the information I'm looking for. I found a great condition '99 head for next to nothing, so it appears I may go that route.

For a '99 head swap, I know I'm going to need the '99-'00 intake manifold.

The fuel rail/regulator/return is of no concern because I have the dual feed rail that was group bought a while back and it has 2 return ports to choose from.

Now for the questions I have:

Can I get rid of the plug on the back of the head and use my '95 CAS?
Can I use my '95 valve cover?
What does it take to make the VICS system work properly? RPM switch?
I want to do the DIY P&P, but want to know what book it is that everyone keeps recommending for it.

Anything else I'm missing?

Thanks!

Yes.
Yes. The 99' valve cover has a provision for the 99 CPS (cam position sensor, not cam angle sensor), but you won't need it if you run the CAS.
Yes. You'll need a window switch to trigger the solenoid. MS will do this if you have spare outputs. I also have fancy MSD Digital window switch F/S if you are interested.
"How to Build, Modify, & Power Tune Cylinder Heads" by Peter Burgess and David Gollan. There are others too, but this is a good one. I suggest getting this one and maybe another and reading them BEFORE you buy any parts or do any modifications to the head.

Thanks for the answers. I'm glad I can use my valve cover, it just got back from being powdercoated. lol

How hard is it to remove that plug?

I'm running the Link, so it would have to be the MSD. How much for your switch? And what RPM does the VICS solenoid have to be triggered at?

I'll get that book then. The only parts I will have for the head are the head itself and Neogenesis' stock sized Supertech valves that I bought in preparation for head modification.

Any other items I'm overlooking?

that plug pops right out if you loosen the bridge over it

Yes to all questions. I'd probably advise against a DIY P&P, but if you want to just clean up things like casting marks a little that's OK.

egr plug/plate too.

Thanks Paul. Thought so, but just wanted confirmation.

Ben, why? Doubting my skills? lol I've read of people having good results with it, but definitely open to other input.

Hustler, I have the plates from my current motor, but thanks, good to have a checklist running because I didn't think about those yet.

I'd say practice on an NA 1.8 head. Those are a dime a dozen.

Well, I do have my old one sitting around waiting...

hey hey,im doin this swap come tuesday :). ill let u know what i screw up on ;)

just wondering does it matter what rpm switch u get? lookin at this one :
http://www.hamotorsportsusa.com/msdrpmacsw.html

and what rpm does VICS activate?

hrmmm come to think of it, maybe i should just wait until i get MSPNP :-\

as far as literature goes, i got Keith Tanner's Performance Projects, its suppose to have a rewrite on the swap.

Run it on the dyno VICS off, then run VICS on. The switch point is where the lines cross.

I wish I could use an NA intake plenum, instead of the 99 plenum. :cry:

The switch point is ideally determined with a dyno - however, I've looked at several dynos, and found the switchpoint is always between 5,000 and 5,500, and the factory position is around 5,200. I set mine for 5,250 and never regretted it. I've moved it around, too, but that's where I've left it.

I have a '00 manifold, by the way. I have two, if you want one with secondary injector ports and a rail. :-P

Abe, is the unmodified one for sale? The head I found does not have a manifold with it.

One more question, and this may be a dumb one, but I've never been able to compare a 94-97 and a 99-00 closely, so pardon my ignorance.
But if I can get an '00 intake manifold, can I use my '95 throttle body on it?

I dunno on the throttle body. I think I'm going to have to spend a bit of time figuring out what I'm doing before I sell anything.

I was PM'd by someone that has one for sale. It has the VICS solenoid and actuator, just not a TB, so thus the question. I'm asking just in case I have to go that route.

I had assumed it would work, but honestly do not know. If you can not find a web answer, you are welcome to attempt to bolt your TB to the manifold(s) in my garage.

can u use a 94-97 fuel rail on a 99-00 head?

If you can't, I have about 7 million 1999+ fuel rails.