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Installing a bigger cylinder head for more power?

Hi, kinda new to engines still and I currently have a 1.3 engine that seems to be worn out due to high mileage. I was going to rebuild it soon, after I had learnt more about them, but I also wanted to have a bit more increased power as with people in the car it's quite a bit sluggish. I've found the same engine, but it's a 1.6, will installing that cylinder head onto my current engine block give me a little extra power? Thanks.

Update:

It's a 1.6 cylinder head only, not full engine.

Update 2:

Sorry, it's a ford escort, both CVH engines. Both carburettor'd.

7 Answers

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  • 7 years ago
    Favourite answer

    I don't think that will work. Even if the head fits onto the block (which is doubtful), then the valve train has to have the exact required clearance into the cylinders, for one thing. Then your crankshaft will have to allow for the increased torque...does it? Finally, adding more air and gas to an engine that is already worn out will only wear it out faster. If I were you I'd rebuild the entire engine, including refinishing the cylinders and filling in all the scratches, and of course replacing all the rings and seals. After you've rebuilt the head as well you are going to notice BIG increase in power.

    Barring all that, I'd just buy a bigger bike.

  • Anonymous
    7 years ago

    larger displacement engine likely has a larger cc head. if it were possible to mate to the smaller engine, it would lower dynamic compression points/pressures. that would equal less power.

    for small gains in that regard, one might look into a thinner head gasket or as stated, shave the head, to raise combustion pressures. if that's even possible. and if the engine has say 100k or better on the clock, the valve seats would likely burn due to everything being work hardened/wear mated to less pressures. so if one could use a thinner head gasket, and or shave the head, you'd want to re-lap the valves at least.

    fair amount of work for a very small gain.

    most times it's a lot of little upgrades that collectively will have an impact. other areas might include exhaust upgrades, porting heads, more efficiant carb (look a weber carbs).

    again though, all that is a lot of work, fair amount of money, and small gains in performance and less over-all mpgs.

  • Harry
    Lv 7
    7 years ago

    hmm what makes? most heads cant be used on different engines like the v8 days.

    what would you expect from this head? bigger valves? better airflow? more displacement from a larger combustion chamber? almost zero performance gains, and the added cc's from a larger combustion chamber would be nill, just lowering your compression ratio a touch

    see here is the deal, that is a tiny sewing machine. it has computer controlled engine management that undoubtedly is omnipotent. nothing you can do physically to the engine will provide more than a shot glass of cheap whiskey to the performance of the engine because of the management system.

    on modern drivetrains when modding them, custom flashing goes hand in hand with the parts. without one the other is pretty much a waste

  • 7 years ago

    It will not give you more power. Likely to give less.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    7 years ago

    You could gain some HP from the cylinder head from the larger engine, or you could notice...nothing. It's not uncommon for manufacturers to use the same cylinder head casting on similar sized engines, but just vary the cam profile for the engine sizes.

    The converse of that, is you might gain some peak HP, but lose valuable low RPM torque by doing that. Plus you would have to retune for it.

  • 7 years ago

    It won't work.

  • Jay P
    Lv 7
    7 years ago

    Whenever you ask a question about your vehicle, always include the YEAR, MAKE, and MODEL.

    Without that crucial information, no one will know whether the 1.3L and 1.6L cylinder heads are interchangeable.

    But even if they are, don't expect the cylinder head to make much of a difference here. Getting a more aggressive camshaft, if available, would be the 1st thing I'd try as far as the cylinder head is concerned. Other possibilities include shaving the cylinder head to increase the compression ratio and porting the cylinder head for better/increased intake and exhaust flow.

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