Head work worth while? 172

[David James]

Hi guys
Just bought a 172 cup, it's due a cambelt due to age in December and aux belt soon.
Now I was looking at upgrades I could do while it's being done , cams, port & polished head etc.
The car at the moment has a ktr induction kit, 2.5" cat back exhaust and a 98ron rs tuner map. It made 169.8bhp recently so hopefully quite healthy.
Is it worth trying to extract power this way or save for a turbo kit?

Thanks

 

[green]

I'd of thought it worth it as the ports aren't really matched to gaskets and ports are machined not polished. If your going to change belts there must be camshafts that go well with turbos. It would save some money while the belts are off.

 

[masekwm]

No point.

If belts due, the best option is to fit a Megane head gasket and up the power to 250bhpish

 

[BoatNonce]

Little point NA tuning the F4R unless you've got deep pockets.

 

[David James]

Thanks for the replies guys.
I think il just save the money for a turbo kit.
I am not desperate for the power but a little more is always nice.

When I turbo it I think I will just go for the 230 bhp as I have gone to far on my m3 and the thought of a 8k engine replacement has stopped me driving it how I used to

 

[leeds_182]

Thanks for the replies guys.
I think il just save the money for a turbo kit.
I am not desperate for the power but a little more is always nice.

When I turbo it I think I will just go for the 230 bhp as I have gone to far on my m3 and the thought of a 8k engine replacement has stopped me driving it how I used to

I've heard Clio turbo is the place to go to for boost.

 

[BoatNonce]

I've heard Clio turbo is the place to go to for boost.

He's only just got here, he might think you're being serious!

Wise choice on the low boost setup. Don't go to CT though.

 

[leeds_182]

He's only just got here, he might think you're being serious!

Wise choice on the low boost setup. Don't go to CT though.

True, id never forgive myself if I sent money that guys way.

 

[David James]

Oh that's definitely one to avoid!
I think I will be doing a lot of it myself as I enjoy dropping engines and major projects

 

[Tony Hunter]

The engine sounds quite healthy, I;d leave it as it is. If you want more power, get a different car.

 

[David James]

Well I have quite a few cars. M3 & aristo & s60 t5 350bhp just this is such a cool little car I'd like to make it lovely

 

[BoatNonce]

Pics of the Volvo!

 

[David James]

I will get some soon.
It's the mrs run around

It's a really comfortable nice car to be fair

 

[David James]

Some pictures when I bought it

 

[R3k1355]

The 1*2 engine is rubbish for N/A tuning, it's pretty much had all the easy work done to it in stock form, so improvements from there cost big money.
The main issue is it just can't rev well, the engine is oversquare and just doesn't like high revs, something N/A engines need.

 

[David James]

I am slowly working that out.
I think il leave it as it is and get a turbo kit later in the year.