Best cylinder head. (4 cylinder)

[JonC]

Hello all, this is my first post although I've been soaking up the wisdom from afar for a while.

I have a '67 13/60 which really needs a new/recon head. It occurs to me that I needn't simply replace the 13/60 one, I could for example go for a slightly higher CR or more importantly larger inlet valves.

I'm interested in 4 things:
1) Which is the best head for power with driveability?
2) Which is the best head as above but that is actually available. (Canleys etc...)
3) Should I think about a cam change anyway?
4) Are these straight drop-ins or are there other considerations and fettles required.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Jon

[Clive]

There are a few std heads with bigger valves. I think the MKIV spit head??
Compressions vary a little too I believe, some export ones had a low CR so def avoid.
this may help (a bit!)

http://www.triumphspitfire.com/heads.html

I suspect if you approach an engineering shop they can recon your head to unleaded with new larger inlets and skim as required, Make sure a 3 angle seat is cut too. May be cheaper than buying a recon off the shelf. A local place who did an unleaded convesion for me offer a full recon for approx £200 all in, extra skim may be a little extra.

As to camshafts, that can be a can of worms. If you want a performance increase but want to avoid lumpy idle I would suggest a mk3 spit profile, maybe with a 9.5cr head? Of course the story never ends there, next it will be exhaust manifolds, twin carbs................ ;D but the head/cam will make a noticable improvement with few downsides.

[JonC]

Thanks Clifty

I will also be upgrading manifolds and carbs but regard these as seperate items really. (I guess the Cam is too, but in my mind I always associate it with the head as I'm more accustomed to OHC's)

So you reckon I may as well stick with the head I've got and get the valves increased in size. Sounds like an idea. Might need a machine shop familiar with Triumph, any around the Oxford-Berkshire area?

[Clive]

I don't think it needs to be a Triumph specialist, just a good machine shop. Ask the question on the forum in a new thread, should get a few replies!
Otherwise it may be worth a visit to the Stoeleigh spares day in March (7th) lots of traders, often show specials etc.
If you do the cam, best done during the head swap as it has to come off anyway.

[Deleted User]

1478 wrote:

Thanks Clifty

I will also be upgrading manifolds and carbs but regard these as seperate items really. (I guess the Cam is too, but in my mind I always associate it with the head as I'm more accustomed to OHC's)

So you reckon I may as well stick with the head I've got and get the valves increased in size. Sounds like an idea. Might need a machine shop familiar with Triumph, any around the Oxford-Berkshire area?

http://www.robwalkerengineering.com/

[Nick Jones]

Some excellent info here:
http://www.justdrive.ca/gt6/josh/race_engine.html

towards the bottom of the page.  Note link to list of various heads and valve sizes.

Nick

[JonC]

Thanks for your responses.

I'll find out how much the modifications will cost me.