1.6 Head rebuild seeking the consul of wise men and women

First off, I'm aware of all the mechanics of doing it and that it's not a necessarily sensible choice. My application is a naturally aspirated 1.6 with a standalone ecu, Randall intake, AFM free, feeding into a full FM 2.5 exhaust.

My question is to those who have done it or are intimately familiar with rebuilds, what modifications produced the best returns for the cost?

Examples:

Polish and port
Three angle grind
Deshroud
Supertech oversize valves
Etc, etc

I do plan on skimming at least .030.


And because lately I've been hanging out with the wrong crowd I might just go ITB to troll the Miata turbo kids I hang out with.

I look forward to your thoughtful responses. (No I'm not doing a 1.8 swap)

Myself I would not spend the $$ on custom head work and ITB's. Just add a supercharger for the same money with a better return on horsepower and torque.

MiataQuest, I agree completely, but I'm concluding my goals given where I drive and what I'm looking for are more visceral than just torque/power. If I blew a rod tomorrow, it'd be a 2001+ block, 1990-2000 manifold in a heartbeat.

Skim + new valve seats. The rest is pretty useless individually and without cams. By the time you get done with a quality reworked head, a junk yard NB engine is still going to be better for far less money.

So little 1.6 love in this world.

You asked, I'm giving you anecdotal and factual truth.

Also keep in mind, a lot of B6 parts are starting to be phased out.

Upside to 1.6 falling from favor, discount pricing! But on the topic of anecdotal and factual truth, this is a forum. ��

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Infedora

So little 1.6 love in this world.

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Plenty of love. Just none when the topic of "power" comes up in a conversation about a miata. If you stay with a 1.8 you could use the newer Skunk2 manifold too, always a thought.

I've had head work done, skimmed and ported. New valve seats, back cut valves but not oversized. Jenvey ITBs with a Maxim Works header with a MSII ECU handling the AFR :winky: Drives well, produces strong linear power, way above what a stock 1.8 would push. I don't regret it, I'm happy with 160bhp~ :D If you want more than that without sacrificing the torque the engine already doesn't have, a 1.8 with similar work will get you 180bhp~ - and you always have the option of FM's Stroker kit, if you're wanting to hit the 200bhp mark. Skunk2 currently have no manifold option for the 1.6, which is a shame given the amazing value for money it carries, ITBs aren't cheap, because they're complicated. :lol:

If you're handy and willing to butcher a 1.8 Skunk manifold you could probably adapt it to fit, it's a long shot though with no guides to follow, I've considered trying myself but seeing as I already have ITBs it'd be a waste to sell them for the price the Skunk would cost. I can't imagine USED ITB's being in high demand. :shrug:

Phasing out 1.6 parts is purely because of demand though. If you want a "performance" engine, there's no replacement for displacement.

OP can hit 160 with the ECU he has, an NB engine + bolt ons and ethanol.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kung fu jesus

OP can hit 160 with the ECU he has, an NB engine + bolt ons and ethanol.

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Agreed! +1

Ethanol isn't something I'd use myself, too inconvenient where I live. A good NB engine with a BP5A cam would also do. Even more with bolt ons too!

I don't regret building up my 1.6. But I will admit the car would be faster and have better driveability with the same mods done to a 1.8 at no extra cost.... Considering the cost of buying a miata with a 1.6 or 1.8 is practically negligible most people go the 1.8 route, because it's more sensible. I am however too far gone with my 1.6 to simply lose out financially to move to a 1.8. Also, I am not sensible :lol: