Upgraded valvetrain for H23: Very beneficial?

[Ziggymidget5]

I was thinking about upgrading my H23 with a set of performance camshafts and vavle springs/retainers. I already have CAI, header, hi-flow cat, exhaust, and pulleys. I was wondering if this upgrade would be very beneficial with these mods and the stock rev limiter, or if it's possible that I would have enough mods to even raise the rev limiter to ~7000 RPM or so and make more power. I know that this would work much better with a P&P head, intake manifold, and throttle body, but right now, I can't do it all. I'm not looking to raise the rev limiter just to be able to go higher, I just would like to find the peak power point at a "safe" RPM to try to keep wear and tear to a minimum. ANY input on the subject is appreciated. Please no H22 swap comments, I know it's a much better all-motor engine, but it is completely out of the question for me. Thanks for any help.

[AcesHigh]

Well, being able to rev higher, you are increasing the period of torque multiplication, and it would help you go a bit faster. But the h23a does not make any more power past 5800 rpm. You are correct in assuming that the combination of port and polish, bored intake manifold and throttle body would make for a better overall system, but since you are only limited to this right now I would say go for it if you plan to do these mods in the future.

Oh, and you're making your car all the more unstreetable; I hope you have a secondary car ready if this one breaks down.

[Ziggymidget5]

Thanks Aces, I was hoping to get a reply out of you. Anyways, I understand what you're saying, but if I do have future plans, (of course chipping it would be last) would it still be pretty reliable to get camshafts with stiffer springs and take the couple extra horses with that until I do more in the future? Were you saying mostly that revving higher makes it less streetable, or just the camshafts, etc. The camshafts I'm looking at if you're interested supposedly keep a good idle and are from www.honda-performance.com "Performance profile maintains good idle with added mid and upper end power." Also, any experience with regrinds?

[AcesHigh]

No, stronger valve springs and camshafts alone won't make your car unstreetable; I was just referring to the full NA mod treatment. The more mods you put on, the less streetable it becomes. Just something to keep in mind, is all.

[Ziggymidget5]

Thanks Aces, on more question though, can stiffer springs have a negative effect on the longevity of the head? Somewhere, i don't know where, I heard that stiffer springs also put more pressure on the head itself and maybe the valves. Or are there any other consequences of just upgrading cams, springs, and retainers on an otherwise stock H23a head that I should know about? Thanks.

[SiGNAL748]

I know you said to mention an h22 swap, in your case you don't necesarilly need to.

you do realize that putting an h22 head on your h23 will cost you much less than buying all those valvetrain components? also making your car much more streetable..

[AcesHigh]

Since I have never done it, and as such have no experience on it, I won't comment on the H22/H23 frankenstein other than the fact that I hear more people who have it complain about it being unreliable than people who say it is.

On the topic of upgraded valvetrains, stiffer springs do increase pressure, but that is needed to control your valves at higher RPMs. There are sets of springs and retainers available out there for the H22A that can allow you to rev up to a screaming 9000rpm [i/]safely[/i], and the stiffer springs would also allow you to use some larger cams. I imagine a similar, lower revving setup for an H23A would quickly bring you into the higher stages of the NA path.