***** 800 Head Mod's*******

Posts: 8 · Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 8 Pictures: 0

Ok Guy's, I read alot about saved head mod's. I think your talking machined or decked head gasket surface. But, No Spec's ? How many thou are you taking off ? Or cc's in the dome ? What compression is safe with this cooling system ? PSI ? Is a larger Rad needed with higher compression. Say, is there a better head gasket than the very poor stock head gasket. Anybody try a copper head gasket yet ? Just looking for something better !

Posts: 415

BigDog,

We are shaving the head surface. I cc'd the head but I don't recall the numbers as it was about two years ago. I'm thinking it was around 22cc with an 8cc piston dish and a.050" head gasket. That should be about 8.5:1. My deck was real tight at .005" so I was worried about valve to piston clearance and only took .020". That should have bumped it to around 9:1. Guys are taking more off now. .040" should bump it up 1 point to 9.5:1.

My head is ported and I run a regrind cam. I have no overheating problems and still run the stock radiator set up. BTW, this is a carburetored model 800.

The turbo guys are pushing way higher cylinder pressures so the stock head gasket will be fine with just the compression bump. I don't know if a copper one is available. Besides the cam regrind will increase duration and therefore overlap, which will reduce dynamic compression anyway.

Hopefully West Coast will check in as he has done a number of these and should be able to provide more accurate numbers.

later...mick

Posts: 8 · Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 8 Pictures: 0

Thanks for your reply. I'm reading up, & learning the tricks ! Thanks !! Very Happy

Posts: 335

Well, Mick is correct the chamber cc stock is 23, and every one I have done is a little different so you need to do yours.
Now valve to piston clearance is a different thing, with a stock cam and pistons you have some where around .350 of clearance I dont know why they have valve reliefs in the pistons. I run custome made JE pistons, .030 of the head and a .375 lift cam and still have a ton of room, I could run a much larger lift but the intake manifold wont flow any more cfm.
I havent had a head gasket problem since I went to ARP head studs so that problem was fixed.
I do sell cams ,carbs,aluminum radiators,turbo kits, etc. if you are looking for aftermarket performance or other advise just shoot me an e-mail.

Later W.C.

Posts: 8 · Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 8 Pictures: 0

Thank's Guy's !! Great Info. !! This is a User Forum !! Very Happy

Greg ,I'll email you. BD

Posts: 56

These guys are all giving you great info. I have done some of the same things. .040 milled, match ported and polished cyl head, big cam, adjustable cam gear, header and a custom built intake manifold with a weber IDF 40. The little car runs darn good, infact i race the Whiplash Racing circut with it. We won the points championship for 07. All of these mods are avalible through my race shop also. I am also working with a shop to make me a close ratio 4th gear set up, should be testing it in a few weeks.

Posts: 56

These guys are all giving you great info. I have done some of the same things. .040 milled, match ported and polished cyl head, big cam, adjustable cam gear, header and a custom built intake manifold with a weber IDF 40. The little car runs darn good, infact i race the Whiplash Racing circut with it. We won the points championship for 07. All of these mods are avalible through my race shop also. I am also working with a shop to make me a close ratio 4th gear set up, should be testing it in a few weeks.

Posts: 10

A close ratio 4th gear set-up for most of the buggies out there would probably be a hot item to market. I have a Joyner 650 sv that would be fabulous with a close 4th. Keep us informed about the trials, tribulations and costs involved.

Posts: 335

Hey southern thunder,
Sure would like to see some photos of that engine and your buggy. Sounds cool.

Later W.C.

Posts: 56

Just figured out how to get pics up, Ill get some of the engine tomrrow