Head Swap

[BboyFlipRoc]

How much would you guys think I could pick up a dual cam head for, from junkyard or whatever?

[adragon202]

it depends on where you go and what state you are from but all that said I got one from a junk yard for $50.00.good luck

[sierrap615]

on ebay there are a few compenys that sell remanufactored heads around $300 i think

Adragon, did you get a SOHC or a DOHC?

[BboyFlipRoc]

You know how much HP you'd be at swapping from a SOHC to a DOHC...?

[adragon202]

well if the repair books are right it's only 20 hp but you can do more to the car if you want and have the money.and it depents on the engine you have now because the 95 engine heads doesn't fit is what I have been told.I said around $50 bucks for the head.

[sierrap615]

91-94 SOHC = 85 HP
95-02 SOHC = 100 HP
all DOHC = 124 HP

but just swaping the head won't give you the full HP of a DOHC, the pistons are also different. they will work, but due to compression differences, they won't work as well as swaping both the head and pistons.

quoting a tech that goes by the name wolfman:

The compression loss is really not that great. An OEM DOHC with OEM DOHC pistons delivers 124 HP (at the crank) in perfect tune and trim. The DOHC head on a block with SOHC pistons could be reasonably expected to deliver in the range of 115-120. SO it becomes a question as to whether that 5-9 hp is worth the effort to you. To make this swap you will need:

DOHC cylinderhead complete with valves lifters and cams
DOHC timing componants (chain and sprockets, tensioner, guides)
DOHC timing chain cover
DOHC cam cover
DOHC intake and exhaust manifolds
DOHC fuel rail and injectors
DOHC PCM (SOHC will work, but not perfectly)
DOHC engine wiring harness

NOTE: This swap is also basically impossible if the car is an automatic (unless you're going to swap the transaxle too..)

[BboyFlipRoc]

Well, I have a '98 SL and it has bad piston rings... So would you say just replace rings or buy DOHC pistons as well as the head... I am limited on money though, but it will be some time before I actually do this... I'm just gathering info up front... And thanks for all this help.

[sierrap615]

bboy, have you tried the MMO soak thats on saturnfans.com? why are you looking to rebuild? burning oil?

[BboyFlipRoc]

Well, I have bad piston rings... So my parents said I should just drive it until I kill the engine... Although I don't think it would happen right away... And my car burns a considerable amount of oil... Although a mechanic put an additive that made it slow the burning, but the big reason is due to the piston rings... But what I was thinking was putting in a DOHC engine, but because I heard it was same block... I just want to do head swap and maybe buy DOHC or performance pistons while I have the head of any hoot... Or am I just being a moron...? -lol- I'd really like the extra power though... So that's why I was going to go DOHC.

[sierrap615]

i would do the MMO soak, and be sure the PCV valve says "ac delco" on it(if its a green thing, that should be ok), if not, go to the saturn dealership and get a new one, don't buy a aftermarket brand.

[BboyFlipRoc]

You got a link where I can get that stuff or whatever... Tried to look for it... But don't really know where to start at saturnfans.com... Thanks.

[sierrap615]

in the top right, click on forums, its in the how-to section, and was posted by wolfman. i know the search function was down a while back but i don't know if its back up yet.