Tuning only by a specialist - edit the cylinder head

Recently updated on November 30, 2023 at 01:41 am

Experts do not recommend tuning an engine without working on the cylinder head. In order to evaluate this recommendation, you have to know the processes. The gas-air mixture is usually accelerated to a medium speed of approximately 100-120 m/s when the inlet valve opens. If the gas-air mixture is accelerated to a higher speed, the performance is reduced. Because the small valves and channels of series engines or cylinder heads are not designed for this. In order to achieve higher performance, you have to increase the filling of the cylinder head in the upper speed range. How to achieve this? By enlarging the channels and valves.

machine the cylinder head

When tuning cylinder heads, it is important to have a lot of experience. Particular emphasis should be placed on the high quality of the work as well as the materials and workmanship. There are generally two methods of machining a cylinder head available: either the classic way by hand or using a CNC milling machine. CNC machining is being used more and more often and is almost the norm, especially among large tuners. However, smaller companies often cannot afford the expensive machines and therefore proceed by hand.

There are several stages in cylinder head machining. Thinner valve stems, larger valves and/or conversion for a mechanical valve train. If you want to install tuning cylinder heads, you should at least replace the exhaust valves with more stable ones, because the standard valves are not very resistant to high temperatures and high pressures. You can recommend it here Supertech Inconel or Schrick Nimonic Exhaust valves. But as always, there is a wide range here.

Essentially the work steps (the process):

1. Clean and disassemble
2. Spindle up seat rings
3. Milling the channels
4. Smooth the channels
5. Cut seat rings
6. Edit valves
7. Cylinder head rays
8. Cylinder head plan
9. assembly

countless providers with different services

A very renowned supplier of cylinder head machining is Integrated Engineering based in the US. Independent tests have shown that the cylinder heads of Integrated Engineering were perfect. Especially in terms of effectiveness. The company has invested enormous time and money in research and development to optimize the process. The result of the effort was the patenting of the so-called LiftMax process. The process enables excellent cylinder filling, even at low cam lift. A German dealer that sells these special tuning cylinder heads is Bar-Tek, which offers cylinder heads from Integrated Engineering for the 1.8T 20V and 2.0 TFSI engines.

Both variants have inputs and outputs that were CNC milled. The valve seats and transitions of the cylinder heads on offer were machined using the LiftMAX process, the oil channels were cleaned using a special process and new integrated valve guides were created. You can also equip the cylinder head directly with valves. Bamotec is another provider that works with a Super Flow cylinder head assembly line. By the way, the company also offers workshops in this area. There is also SLS Tuning, Tech Tipp and Harpel Motorsport, which offer cylinder head machining. There are many companies that offer cylinder head machining.

Cylinder head tuning only from the professional

The basis for an optimal performance increase is and remains the perfect cylinder head. If more than just a plastic box is planned to increase performance, the actual tuning work should start on the cylinder head. There are many measures to increase the performance of the cylinder head. For example, this also applies to improved ones Hydraulic tappet or milled Valve seats etc. But not everyone is able to professionally expand or smooth the canals for better filling. If the combustion chambers of a cylinder head need to be redesigned and the compression ratio should be higher, a professional has to do it. During this process, he will always subject the valves and valve seats to fine machining. If the company offers exactly that, success is almost always guaranteed. We hope that you will find the information report on the term Machining the cylinder head (sometimes also called Flowen or Porten) from the field of autotuning.

FAQ: “Machining the cylinder head“ – A guide to more engine performance and efficient maintenance

1. What does machining the cylinder head do?

• The cylinder head machining can increase engine performance by up to 15%. This is achieved through improved combustion, more efficient gas changes and lower exhaust gas temperatures, which ensure optimized engine functionality.

2. Is it possible to repair a cracked cylinder head?

• Cracks in the cylinder head can be used more precisely Laser welding process or TIG welding process be repaired. Particularly fine cracks or cast steel welds benefit from the precise laser welding process.

3. How often can a cylinder head be planned?

• Depending on the condition, a cylinder head can usually Scheduled 3-5 times and be reused. The sealing surfaces of the intake and exhaust manifolds can also be processed to correct problems such as oxidation and washouts.

4. How is a defective cylinder head identified?

typical Symptoms of a defective cylinder head or a defective cylinder head gasket include:

• Oil in the cooling water
• Cooling water in the engine oil
• White or blue smoke
• Rapid increase in engine temperature
• Continuous loss of coolant or engine oil
• Exhaust gases/pressure in the cooling system
• Reduced engine performance and poor running

5. Why shouldn't cylinder head screws be reused?

• Cylinder head bolts are used in the elastic range and deform permanently after dismantling. Reuse could result in incorrect tightening torque and the bolts could break, risking engine damage.

6. Why is planning a cylinder head necessary?

• A dismantled cylinder head should be planned to compensate for any distortion. As a rule are 0,05 mm to 0,1 mm sufficient to have the top surface flat again, and the surface structure or roughness is crucial so that the cylinder head gasket can be clamped properly.

7. What grit should sandpaper be for cylinder heads?

• For sanding cylinder heads, the sandpaper should have a grit size between 250 and 400 exhibit. This ensures that the surface is sanded effectively but not excessively coarsely and allows the surface to be finished evenly.

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