I'm having the head re-done on my 8-RC. Apparently it should have been worked on 2 valve jobs ago, but that's another story. The tech at the machine shop said the cam and bearings were fine, and that I might want to consider a "performance grind" on the cam and recommended a shop. He said that with a like-new head and a tweaked cam I'd have a little hot rod. Really? Could a "performance grind" for $68 turn my 1.8 litre into a tire smoker? Might consider it if the gas mileage improved.
Idk about a hot rod but I've seen re-grinds make 400+ hp on Hondas and Nissans. All depends on the amount of lift and duration they put on each lobe. Also depends on supporting mods and such. My .02
8/18R heads are crap stock. they need LOTS of work to make decent power. swap a 18R bottom end under your 8R head and gain a bit. weber, cam, head, full exhaust will help. tire screecher probably. Don't forget to hardened seats in the 8R head. unleaded fuel and cast iron seats don't like each other.
@Will, I had everything replaced on the head and hardened seats were installed. I had a performance grind on the cam, and picked up a NOS Weber 32/34 that was made for that truck. What do you mean by "full exhaust"?
