my car is currently at honda having a new engine put in....the block and head just arrived on friday...the block comes complete but the head comes in pieces and has to be assembled, so the honda mechanic thats building my engine said he will use whatever parts i want in the head....I called Joe Alanis and he said he can send me upgraded retainers/springs/valves for approx $900...and my mechanic at honda will put it together for free.....or I can send the head to him and he will machine the head and use oversized valves.....as of right now my car is NA, but I may add a vortech in the future....from what I understand just using the improved parts will strengthen the head.....without FI there wont be a big hp difference either way.....my main concern is to strengthen the head (since this is were the problem that blew my last motor began)......

what do you guys think? should i just order the parts and stay with standard size valves or have the head work done even though it wont make much difference unless I go FI (which im not sure about at this point)........??????

 

strengthened parts are always good
but retainers/springs/valves for approx $900 is a little bit pricey.
Call around you should get better price elsewhere.

 

I had Joe Alaniz do my head. My headwork was done with FI in mind. The results were equivalent to be about 10 hp when we dynoed it NA. Now with the FI it is 50 or 60 hp.

Joe Alaniz has some nice parts. They tend to work well and be high quality. He is (I think) the only source for the Ti retainers with clearances for the S2000 rockers built in. He has a line of SS valves special made just for the S in various plus sizes. You may be able to get it cheaper but Joe has a proven product at a good price.

Here is the catch: It takes Joe a good 3 months to turn a head around. Only one Joe Alaniz and so many guys wanting the magic touch.
Can you be without the head for 3 months? Most guys are picking up a used head and sending it off to Joe. This way you are not stuck high and dry. You can't rush the master and must wait your turn in line. The line is only going to get longer.

 

how did you blow a MY03 so quickly??

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sideways
I had Joe Alaniz do my head.

 

That would depend on the cams.

 

what cams do you have sideways? ... I have stock cams right now...maybe i should upgrade the cams too....

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bullet1123