Advice please!!!

[matty1664]

Hi
My gti 8v is in the garage at the mo, getting the head sent off to be polished and ported. They got back to me today saying do I want the valves upgrading. Sounds pricey £500 to £1000 depending on what I want as the valve guides will need replacing at the same time. Is it worth me getting it done?
Engine has done 116,000 miles. Eventually want to upgrade cam. Also the engine smokes a lot on a cold start up when I haven't driven it for a week or so.
I'm wondering if the valve upgrade will help re juvenate the engine a bit.
I would much appreciate any advice just incase I'm getting fleeced without knowing it, although would like to think not as seems like a really good mechanic and garage.

Cheers
Matt

[Waspy]

Sounds like a lot of money when you look at the bigger picture. If it's a show winning car you are talking about 20% of the car... Plus any work they have already done. I doubt the difference will be worth it, but that's just me.

[matty1664]

I see your point, apparently the valve guides need re doing anyway. It kind of makes sense to upgrade the valves while they are in there. Apparently the best valves gain around 30 horses. In a mk2 that's a big gain in my opinion. All I need after that is manifold and jetex exhaust and that's about as far as I'll go. Not so sure about cams anymore as I don't want to have to put up with a rough idling car. I'm very tempted to get these valves done, just want to make sure I'm not about to spend my money on something pointless.

[Waspy]

Did he tell you it would add 30 ponies? ... Sound a lot. If you think it's worth it go for it! What's the cost of them doing it without upgrading?

[matty1664]

Yeah 30 ponies in a mk2 will make a difference for sure. Without upgrading it will cost around £500 to get it polished and ported with the valve guides that need doing as well. I'm tempted to go the whole hog. Merry Xmas to me!

[Waspy]

Just beware he has a reason to give you big numbers... He might be flogging dead horse (badum tss)

[matty1664]

yeah fair one! Would be good to see if anyone else here has had it done???

[gazareth]

30bhp from a modded head alone! I really doubt it. with a top of the range modded head you would be lucky to gain 15bhp. I would leave the valves as is and fit a fast road cam instead. mind you the big valve head is meant to work really well with the 2 litre bottom end.

[matty1664]

Supposedly they are going to rolling road test it afterwards so if I go ahead with it (which I think I will, depending on final quote) then I'll post the results. Not too keen on cams really as I don't want the car idling really poorly at low revs, would rather have a smooth drive. Bigger valves are meant to make the car run a bit smoother as well, obviously it will consume more fuel tho. Eventually manifold and jetex to complete the performance modding.

[Gambit]

At that price id want the head flowbench tested before and after before it goes anywhere near the car. Thats top top money for an 8v head. And to be honest if the head us off then get a 2.0 bottom end fitted too, its no brainer not too