Performance Heads?

Question

I have an interview with a company that specializes in high performance auto heads. I have a little bit of knowledge-but need to know quite a bit more.
Is there someone out there who could explain the function and the importance of these in layman terms?

Answer 1

Performance cylinder head companies all specialize in producing heads which have various sized intake ports measured in cubic centimeters. Larger is not always better. The intended RPM (revolutions per minute) of the specific engine, fuel, intake manifold, camshaft and carburetor dictate which heads work better than others.

The heart of the head is the combustion chamber shape (where the valves are seated) and area around them. This is the area where the compressed air fuel mix is ignited while the engine is running.

The final contributer of a cylinder head's efficiency is the exhaust port shape beneath the valve, around the valve guide and boss (metal supporting the end of the valve guide) and the exit shape and angle.

Not to confuse the subject but some Chevrolet heads are cut to angles other than 23 degrees to futher efficiency for racing purposes.

Presently, companies are scrambling to improve the popular Chevrolet Vortec heads because of the sparkplug placement, unshrouding around the valves themselves combustion chamber shape and smallish cc volume for reasonable street compression (10.1 compression ratio.)

The easiest way to describe any head is the term "improved breathing efficiency"

If you'd like to look at various cylinder heads go to: world products.com, Dart cylinder heads, Brodex Cylinder heads. Racing Head Service, Chevrolet high performance cylinder heads among others.

If you'd like me to tame down my tyrate I'll email and get very very basic.