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      11-12-2019, 03:38 PM   #1
chetrickerman
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Head Games CNC ported head review

Hello, there isn't much info out there on this head work so I thought I would post a review.

My performance mod list is as follows:

Kratos KRAS55 billet turbos
HeadGames CNC ported head
HeadGames valve springs with TI retainers
ARP Head Studs
MILV's
Stock bottom end
Self made Intakes
Self made Exhaust
Self made Charge Pipes
Self made upgraded LPFP
Burger Tuning J-pipe
AR Design downpipes
Burger tuning Stealth Meth tank
Dual 20 gph meth nozzles
W Engineering Data Display and Meth controller
Self tuned running E70 fuel

As someone who likes to push their setup to the peak of efficiency, a properly flowing head is essential to that formula. So I decided to contact HeadGames and get the ball rolling. I chose to go with their CNC ported head with all the bells and whistles. That includes the CNC porting and hand blend to the intake and exhaust ports, new Ferrea Inconel valves, new bronze valve guides, the best valve job available, deck the head, CNC'd combustion chamber, and HG single springs with custom titanium retainers.

I also added a set of MILV's which increase the intake valve lift by 1mm and add 2-3 degrees of duration to the intake cam just to allow even more airflow. I live at 6000 ft altitude so my car needs all the airflow it can get.

Once I got the head installed with the ARP head studs and all new OEM gaskets, I primed the oil system and fired her up. As soon as I started driving the car, I could immediately notice a difference in response of the engine as well as the turbos. On the stock head at around 2k rpm, I would see 1-2 psi if I went full throttle at that rpm.
With the ported head I see at least double that boost, as well as the turbos producing that boost much faster. The ported head has made these turbos feel much more like stock in terms of response, but with a lot more punch.

The ported head also made a significant difference in spool up as well. With the stock head, the fastest I could get these Kratos turbos to hit 20 psi was at 4150 rpm. Remember, I'm at 6000 ft altitude which has a large effect on spool up. With the ported head, Im hitting 20 psi at 3750 rpm, and I'm not done yet.

As far as overall power with and without the ported head, I dont have a comparison, but just based on the difference of the responsiveness, I know the ported head will easily make more power.

Overall, the CNC ported head is absolutely one of my favorite mods. It has woken up the car in every aspect. If you are on the fence about it, its well worth the cost and the wait time.

I attached some pics with my custom titanium hardware to match the new head.
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      11-12-2019, 03:46 PM   #2
rnguyennnn
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Nice build!
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      11-12-2019, 03:48 PM   #3
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Nice!! Finally a thread with mechanical upgrades and not just a tune and stickers..

Any reason not going with slightly oversized valves?
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      11-12-2019, 04:00 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MR RIZK View Post
Nice!! Finally a thread with mechanical upgrades and not just a tune and stickers..

Any reason not going with slightly oversized valves?
I went with whatever HG suggested since they know the most on this subject.
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      11-12-2019, 04:46 PM   #5
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Absolutely love the concept of your...I have been wanting to see this exact setup (and have it on my car). Will you put it on the dyno? With oversized valves it certainly wouldn’t be more responsive than the stock head, although it may make more top end power. Should hold better torque/hp at high rpm too. I’m interested to see how much many degrees you can advance the timing up top vs the stock head on the same fuel/boost, that will give a good representation of how much more efficient the built head is and about how much power it is gaining as well. Congrats and enjoy thanks for the post nice work.
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      11-12-2019, 05:02 PM   #6
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Awesome .... not really a dyno worshiper... but what would you estimate as your flywheel and rearwheel hp? how do you like your turbos ( kratos ) as most people use pure turbos...I'm on the fence on which one to choose
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      11-12-2019, 05:30 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whitstap View Post
Absolutely love the concept of your...I have been wanting to see this exact setup (and have it on my car). Will you put it on the dyno? With oversized valves it certainly wouldn’t be more responsive than the stock head, although it may make more top end power. Should hold better torque/hp at high rpm too. I’m interested to see how much many degrees you can advance the timing up top vs the stock head on the same fuel/boost, that will give a good representation of how much more efficient the built head is and about how much power it is gaining as well. Congrats and enjoy thanks for the post nice work.
Once I get the car running the way I want with the amount of boost I want, yes It will be going on the dyno.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bmwlmr99 View Post
Awesome .... not really a dyno worshiper... but what would you estimate as your flywheel and rearwheel hp? how do you like your turbos ( kratos ) as most people use pure turbos...I'm on the fence on which one to choose
I have had PS2, PS2+ as well as the Kratos and the Kratos are by far the best option for turbos on the market. Their response vs the power they make is exceptional.
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      11-12-2019, 06:50 PM   #8
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Nice write up, can you share the details on your self made lpfp?
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      11-12-2019, 06:51 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by cbrtrx View Post
Nice write up, can you share the details on your self made lpfp?
Thanks. Not at this time
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      11-12-2019, 07:14 PM   #10
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Any info on wait time and cost for this please?
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      11-12-2019, 07:39 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by M3ZCPNYC View Post
Any info on wait time and cost for this please?
They had my head for 4 weeks. As far as price, you will have to contact them
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      11-12-2019, 07:54 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chetrickerman View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by M3ZCPNYC View Post
Any info on wait time and cost for this please?
They had my head for 4 weeks. As far as price, you will have to contact them
Did you upgrade your pistons and connecting rods?
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      11-12-2019, 08:10 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3ZCPNYC View Post
Did you upgrade your pistons and connecting rods?
No, stock bottom end.
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      11-12-2019, 10:25 PM   #14
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what does MILV stand for?
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      11-13-2019, 07:31 AM   #15
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Are you planning to push the head to higher RPMs? Word is you can safely run to 9,500 with this upgrade. I'd love to see some real world results!
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      11-13-2019, 08:38 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluer2 View Post
what does MILV stand for?
Modified Intake Lift Valvetronic Supports

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kev608 View Post
Are you planning to push the head to higher RPMs? Word is you can safely run to 9,500 with this upgrade. I'd love to see some real world results!
Not likely since I'm still on the stock bottom end.
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      11-16-2019, 11:41 PM   #17
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Awesome Build Chet
thanks for the info, look forward to your progress as I am also at similar altitude.
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      11-17-2019, 01:23 AM   #18
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Wow I love your setup Chet! I've been planning something similar and couldn't figure out a lower cost solution to the camshafts. They are kinda small imo. So you can only get so much with stock cams.

Where did you buy the MILV or what's it's called sorry I can't see your post on the app on my phone.

Is that why the valve stem is sticking so high up from
The retainers?

I really like what you're doing and will follow your build.

Congrats! Kratos is bar none the best turbos on the market for f80 m3.
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      11-17-2019, 01:25 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chetrickerman View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluer2 View Post
what does MILV stand for?
Modified Intake Lift Valvetronic Supports

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kev608 View Post
Are you planning to push the head to higher RPMs? Word is you can safely run to 9,500 with this upgrade. I'd love to see some real world results!
Not likely since I'm still on the stock bottom end.
Since the kratos turbos push power to redline under 1100 whp. I'd say you can rev to 8k easily especially with titanium teyainers and stiffer springs you won't float the valves. With that higher lift and more duration you mentioned. That extra camshaft overlap could easily give you a little more rpm without stressing the motor.
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      11-17-2019, 09:21 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by papasmurf_m3 View Post
Wow I love your setup Chet! I've been planning something similar and couldn't figure out a lower cost solution to the camshafts. They are kinda small imo. So you can only get so much with stock cams.

Where did you buy the MILV or what's it's called sorry I can't see your post on the app on my phone.

Is that why the valve stem is sticking so high up from
The retainers?

I really like what you're doing and will follow your build.

Congrats! Kratos is bar none the best turbos on the market for f80 m3.
If you google bimmer MILV, the website should come up as the first or second result.

Thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by papasmurf_m3 View Post
Since the kratos turbos push power to redline under 1100 whp. I'd say you can rev to 8k easily especially with titanium teyainers and stiffer springs you won't float the valves. With that higher lift and more duration you mentioned. That extra camshaft overlap could easily give you a little more rpm without stressing the motor.
I likely will when I build the motor down the road.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Railgun View Post
No before/after dynos to show...ya know...the results?

NM, I see the line where you don't. Kind of a hard sell using butt dyno results.
I'm not selling them, just giving my review.
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      11-17-2019, 01:03 PM   #21
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I see it thank you. Now if we can only get some cams that would be awesome.
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