Minor head work, where to stop?

[noR]

I was going to make the title "where to start" but where to stop is much more to the point.

The head's in the trunk; what do I do? At the very least I'll replace springs and go for a port & polish... but is that really where I should stop?

I've got a stock turbo,stock exhaust manifold, and stock fuel system.

I've got bigger pipes from MAF to turbo. Bigger pipes from Turbo to IC.  Bigger pipes from IC to throttle body.  A ported Throttle body, matched to a ported intake manifold.

And finally I've broken the seal and removed the head from the block.  So what do I do to the head to achieve my goals?

I only want 20psi or so. 280 hp? give or take?  I've done my suspension work (Tein), my brake work (TT/EBC), my transmission (eurospecsport), etc etc.  Everything's coming into place.  A new turbo & fuel system is about a year away, maybe ignition system too?

So what can I do now, to prepare me for that? And I wouldn't mind a small boost in performance -OR- efficiency (thermodynamic, not fuel mileage) in the meantime.

I'm running an APR software, because Revo doesn't do tuning for APH motors. I don't think Uni does tuning for stock turbos on APH motors either.

So yeah, that's where I'm at.  Do I look at cams (That's the only way to get more LIFT, right?) ; or do I look at oversized valves? (more openning, same lift?).  I don't feel that I'm looking for large HP gains, not really. I'm not into the triple digit highway racing.  I autocross often. And I've got 170K on the clock already.

So really; do I resurface it, and replace everything with stock pieces? Do I go for oversized valves on a stock cam? Do I look for a more aggressive cam? Maybe I need the turbo and fuel system to support the cam options out there, I'm not sure.

To be honest, I don't know enough about heads. Just looking for more ideas.  The head's in the trunk; what do I do? At the very least I'll replace springs and go for a port & polish... but is that really where I should stop?

Ron

[TommyBoyee]

I recently built a 1.8T and was in the same dilema as yourself. My conclusion was that seeing as it was a 20v AEB to begin with the power gains were very low bang for the buck. Everything you do to a cylinder head is expensive. Whether it's porting, springs or inconel exhaust valves it adds up quick. As far as the best bang for the buck I think anything that keeps the valvetrain weight down enough that you can run higher rev limits is going to realize the highest gains for money spent. Springs come to mind. I would stay away from Ti keepers because although they are lighter they are also a softer material and wear quicker. But that's just my opinion and I haven't tried them. My head is bone stock. I sent it out to the same shop that rebuilds heads for the GTA VW dealers and used it. So far I have no complaints aside from the engine still building monsterous hp at redline.