Performance heads

[Baikal Bimmer]

Hi everyone
My 1972 csi looks like it has a cracked head. Since I’ve decided to rebuild the whole engine, I was wondering what performance heads you would recommend. My local shop doesn’t do too many performance upgrades to their engines, mostly stock rebuilds, so I was wondering what you guys thought would be a good upgrade?

 

[Markos]

Hi everyone
My 1972 csi looks like it has a cracked head. Since I’ve decided to rebuild the whole engine, I was wondering what performance heads you would recommend. My local shop doesn’t do too many performance upgrades to their engines, mostly stock rebuilds, so I was wondering what you guys thought would be a good upgrade?

Are you keeping your CSI piano tops or are you considering new pistons?

 

[Baikal Bimmer]

Are you keeping your CSI piano tops or are you considering new pistons?

New pistons are in consideration, I don’t want necessarily want a race engine, but I want to do it right so that I don’t do it twice.

 

[Stevehose]

284 cam. Better high rpm breathing without lopey idle.

 

[Ajay]

Hi everyone
My 1972 csi looks like it has a cracked head. Since I’ve decided to rebuild the whole engine, I was wondering what performance heads you would recommend. My local shop doesn’t do too many performance upgrades to their engines, mostly stock rebuilds, so I was wondering what you guys thought would be a good upgrade?

If you are looking to rebuild your engine I have an extra engine that came with my car. It's a B34 the block has been prepped and painted, brand new pistons + rings in the box. Crank has been turned, the head has been redone. All the bits and pieces are there but it will need someone to reassemble it.

I went with a B35 for my car which is why I didnt use it in my build.

I see you are in San Diego, I am in OC you are welcome to come check it out.

 

[Baikal Bimmer]

Thanks for the responses. 284 cam is one planned upgrade. Thanks for the offer Ajay but I kind of want stick with the original block.

 

[Ajay]

Thanks for the responses. 284 cam is one planned upgrade. Thanks for the offer Ajay but I kind of want stick with the original block.

Also have 2 original complete engines. 1 out of a 3.0cs and 1 complete out of a 2800. Both engines turn, meaning not seized. The 3.0 motor has dual webbers.

 

[Baikal Bimmer]

Also have 2 original complete engines. 1 out of a 3.0cs and 1 complete out of a 2800. Both engines turn, meaning not seized. The 3.0 motor has dual webbers.

Mine has new external parts, my main concern however, is the head, not the block. Engine doesn’t necessarily need a whole rebuild, but if I’m doing the head I might as well do the bottom end as well.

 

[Baikal Bimmer]

You wouldn’t happen to have any five or six speed trannys though?

 

[Ajay]

You wouldn’t happen to have any five or six speed trannys though?

Yes I do. 5 speeds not 6 speeds. Which ones are you looking for?

 

[Baikal Bimmer]

Yes I do. 5 speeds not 6 speeds. Which ones are you looking for?

Just curious but are there any six speeds that bolt to the early m30s?

 

[Ajay]

Just curious but are there any six speeds that bolt to the early m30s?

The speedo cable is the issue. The 6 speeds would probably have a more modern speedo cable than our cars have.

 

[Baikal Bimmer]

The speedo cable is the issue. The 6 speeds would probably have a more modern speedo cable than our cars have.

Hmm, a six speed would be cool, I’ve never seen one in a coupe, I wonder is something can be done to fix the speedometer cable other than switching to gps. Anyway the transmission isn’t the immediate issue, i still need some head recommendations.

 

[Bert Poliakoff]

I believe to do a six speed you will have to have an adapter made. A few e24 guys have done it by having adapters made and one fellow in OZ mated two bellhousings together. It is not a plug and play swap

 

[HB Chris]

I would make sure the d-jet ecu can handle a hotter cam, these are fairly primitive systems.

 

[sfdon]

You want a head that matches the early intake shape of the stub manifolds, is a fuel injection head with no hole for a fuel pump and has the later water jacket so it doesn’t crack like crazy and is within factory specs for thickness.
79-81 head should do it. Tough to find.
I have 2
As a checked at the machine shop core - 700.00

 

[inovermyhead]

Metric mechanic has a complete Head with all the bits done including cam for $2700 if that’s worth considering...
Once you take out the cost of a replacement head, cam , valves ect and rebuild costs it might be worth considering

 

[Baikal Bimmer]

Metric mechanic has a complete Head with all the bits done including cam for $2700 if that’s worth considering...
Once you take out the cost of a replacement head, cam , valves ect and rebuild costs it might be worth considering

Metric mechanic’s head may be the way to go then. Will it work with only stock piston size?

 

[Baikal Bimmer]

Yes I do. 5 speeds not 6 speeds. Which ones are you looking for?

How much for one of your 5 speeds?

 

[matthewp]

I would make sure the d-jet ecu can handle a hotter cam, these are fairly primitive systems.

I would make sure the d-jet ecu can handle a hotter cam, these are fairly primitive systems.

they can't
the d stands tor druck (pressure) manifold pressure.