Empi heads and Cima/Mahle cylinders, Review of Empi heads and availability of Mahle cylinders Options

[Mr.Vman]

New to the type 4 and 914 world, Noticed that Empi has two cylinder heads available for the type four. has anyone used them yet? If so, how do they compare against the heads that are available? Cooling? Flowing? Quality? Are the Empi heads worth buying compared to what's out there now? In the type 1 world, Cima/Mahle cylinders seem to be what to use with good success. Are Cima/Mahle cylinders available for the type 4? If so, from whom or where? And while I consider Empi heads and Mahle cylinders, what about new type four cases? Are there new type four cases available? Or soon to be available? I know with the VW type 1 new cases solve many problems. Thank you for the time and information, Steve V,

[914Sixer]

Here is where a lot of people shop. Pretty much everything you need.

[Mr.Vman]

Thank you for sharing AA parts, no doubt another source of parts. I am curious about ecperience with the new Empi Type 4 cylinder heads. Also a USA source for, Cima/Mahle cylinders. Steve V.

[Dave_Darling]

I haven't heard of any source for new Type IV cases. Pauter used to make some "universal" aircooled VW cases that were very different from all of the Type I and Type IV ones. IIRC, they were intended mostly for drag bugs but were sometimes sold to 914 folks as well.

No idea if they still make 'em.

--DD

[technicalninja]

Are new Mahle cylinders available in Europe?

I would have expected Mahle to move on and build new stuff as almost all of the OEM suppliers have done.

My source for Mahle cylinders is OLD ones.
I agree the Mahle is the best when it comes to steel jugs.

Jake Raby mentioned new German built flywheels that were SO SOFT they went into the trash pile.

Sometimes the ONLY good stuff is the OLD stuff...



I also suspect there is only ONE foundry that is making the heads today.

Everyone's heads are coming from the same place...

[JamesM]

Everyone's heads are coming from the same place...

The EMPI 2.0 heads are a different casting than previously available aftermarket 2.0 castings that everyone was reworking. While I haven't done any metallurgy testing on them they visibly appear to be a nicer part.

Manley Valves, EMPI installs all the valve hardware themselves. This was handy as when we (PMB) asked for a big valve version so we wouldn't have to rework them for our 2.3s they kindly obliged. Haven't seen the big valve version yet, getting a couple pairs in next week.

[technicalninja]

Everyone's heads are coming from the same place...

The EMPI 2.0 heads are a different casting than previously available aftermarket 2.0 castings that everyone was reworking. While I haven't done any metallurgy testing on them they visibly appear to be a nicer part.

Manley Valves, EMPI installs all the valve hardware themselves. This was handy as when we (PMB) asked for a big valve version so we wouldn't have to rework them for our 2.3s they kindly obliged. Haven't seen the big valve version yet, getting a couple pairs in next week.

Thank you for that post!
I stand corrected!
And am a little bit more hopeful!

The heads are the weak point IMO.

[Craigers17]

I've been hanging out a bit on Jake Raby's Facebook page, and following some of his posts. He and LN Engineering have come out with new billet push rod tubes(in fact they just became available on LN's site for purchase). He was at LN's CNC facilities this week, and someone asked about new Type 4 cases. His reply was this:

"Yes. We are actually scanning a very early 1.7L T4 case here tomorrow to be the host for this development. The benefits will be vast."

Soooo, it looks like there are new cases in the works....who knows the timeline, but I'm sure they won't be inexpensive.

Here is a link to his page if anyone wants to see some of the discussion or videos:

https://www.facebook.com/aircooledtech

Addtional link to Billet Push Rod tubes: https://lnengineering.com/ln-engineering-bi...hrod-tubes.html

[JamesM]

"The benefits will be vast."

Understatement, if that is possible.

I get that billet pushrod tubes improves on the aftermarket stamped tubes but other manufactures make billet machined tubes so interested to know how the LN billet pushrod tubes improves on those?

I would think that unless you are using nickies cylinders that finding steel billet tubes might be better. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)


Billet ALU
https://www.csp-shop.com/en/engine/push-rod...1ca-29491a.html

Billet Stainless
https://tangerineracing.com/shop/ols/produc...s-pushrod-tubes

[Rob@EMPI]

Everyone's heads are coming from the same place...

The EMPI 2.0 heads are a different casting than previously available aftermarket 2.0 castings that everyone was reworking. While I haven't done any metallurgy testing on them they visibly appear to be a nicer part.

Manley Valves, EMPI installs all the valve hardware themselves. This was handy as when we (PMB) asked for a big valve version so we wouldn't have to rework them for our 2.3s they kindly obliged. Haven't seen the big valve version yet, getting a couple pairs in next week.

No not everyones heads are coming from the same place and EMPI SuperVee heads are cnc machined and assembled in Anaheim CA -please attend the PMO Open House at EMPI on Feb 20 from 2-5pm to see the difference for yourself

[technicalninja]

Thanks, @Rob@EMPI

It's good to have multiple choices.

What is the percentage of silica in the alloy?