Head-Cam Combo

[5strings]

Hi all,

I've got an '82 2000. I bought a 1.8L head, which had been recently "gone through" by a machine shop. I'd like to bolt it on my engine to get the higher CR. I plan on trying my hand at porting and polishing. The head came with a set of stock cams, and I'd like to go a bit wilder in that department . I've been doing some reading on the board here, but I've still got a few questions:
1. Given that I don't know what exactly was done to the head, and therefore don't know if it was resurfaced, should I opt for a set of adjustable cam pulleys in case the geometry has changed?

2. Should I get the existing cams reground, or should I just buy a set of Mark's? If I were to have them reground, what would the specs be, and which set of cams should I have done?

3. If I should go with Marks, what would be the best set? I'm thinking either the 284V based on his description. For the moment, I'm not planning any mods to the block. I do plan on getting a lightened flywheel eventually.

Thanks in advance for your advice

[So Cal Mark]

in choosing the proper cam grind, it's critical to know not only the engine specs but how the car is used and driven. For example in another thread in this section the owner wants more performance but says he operates the engine in the 2-5k range. It wouldn't make sense in his situation to put in cams that make power from 4-7k rpm. I see many owners choose the wrong cams for their application and use. Most choose cams that are too radical, what I call over-camming and it detracts from the driving experience

[narfire]

I put Mark's 274 FI cams in mine with the adjustable cam gears from Millars. Love em.

[vandor]

>1. Given that I don't know what exactly was done to the head, and therefore don't know if it was resurfaced, should I opt >for a set of adjustable cam pulleys in case the geometry has changed?

You can mill the head a BUNCH (1mm) and your cam timing will only be off by about one degree.
Get adjustable gears if you want to perfectly time the cams, or if you want to be able to adjust the HP and torque curves, but you do not need them because of a surfaced head.

[BEEK]

be very careful when porting your own head. you can easily kill the performance if not done properly. study study ask questions study and maybe get someone who has ported heads to do it for you. just my opinion

[5strings]

Thanks for all your replies. This is going to help.