Here is my setup.. stock B20Z bottom end, with gsr head.. ITR valves, skunk2 valve springs, skunk2 titanium retainers, peak performance stage2 cams, and peak cam gears... A couple of people have been telling me that i should be worrying about my piston to valve clearances.. Does anyone know if this is something to really worried about, or should I just be really careful when getting everything assembled?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RMXmitch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Here is my setup.. stock B20Z bottom end, with gsr head.. ITR valves, skunk2 valve springs, skunk2 titanium retainers, peak performance stage2 cams, and peak cam gears... A couple of people have been telling me that i should be worrying about my piston to valve clearances.. Does anyone know if this is something to really worried about, or should I just be really careful when getting everything assembled? </TD></TR></TABLE>

I know scott from collective racing says the biggest you cams you can use safely with stock b20 pistons are GSR. His claim comes from tuning B20s at locash racing where even the ITR cams made piston contact in the upper RPM range. I know this was a reason for me to change pistons to the RS spec ones.

Better play it safe and check with clay.

 

b20 piston valve reliefs arent very big. when running big cams you really have to check clearances. clay the engine before final assembly.

 

would a thicker than stock head gasket provide any extra clearance?

 

Obviously, but its a band-aid.

Are you just looking for someone to hold your hand and tell you its going to be OK, or do you want to face reality and accept what several people have stated already in this thread?

 

Thicker HG may work but you will loose compression and power, those cams probably like more compression.
Thicker HG = $65, for another $200 you can get the RS pistions
Take your time and do it right, then find a good tuner, you won't be sorry.
I just put togther a B20vtec with ITR cams
210hp 150 TQ
Good luck

 

I am just looking to make it reliable with good power. Thanks for the input.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RMXmitch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am just looking to make it reliable with good power. Thanks for the input.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Reliabe + Good Power = RS Machines pistons/Aftermarket pistons

It's a VERY simple equation.

 

i will def. look into this.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bambam &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Reliabe + Good Power = RS Machines pistons/Aftermarket pistons

It's a VERY simple equation.</TD></TR></TABLE>
We have been using STD pistons in our customer B20Vtec's for a long time we always notch the STD pistons to suit the Vtec valves we have even gone to the trouble to write a CNC program to do this so when the customer takes the engines they can run good size cams and not worry about damage,the next lot of engines we are doing will be fitted with RS machine pistons.
Regards Dyno Dave

 

yeah i think i am going to go with the rs pistons, where is the best price on these things?