I recently bought a cylinder head that I was told was off an ITR. There is a "star" cast into the exhaust side of the head, what does this star mean? The head didn't have original valvetrain or intake manifold so I cannot verify by that. There is some mild head work done on the intake side which I was told was factory. The code on the head is PR3-2. Any ideas? I searched and couldn't find anything on the star, maybe my search skills just suck but any help would be great.

 

The head as at the machine shop getting tested and surfaced, I can take pics in a few days if needed.

 

PR3-X where X= 1, 2, 3 or 4 is an ITR OR B16 head casting.

Look for the dual valve springs on an ITR head.

 

below the vtec solenoid there should be some green paint all type R heads have that. Also on the same side it will say h 70 cast into the head. Ill find some other things that verify if its a type r head i just need to look at my motor closer. It should also say pr3 on the head to!!!!

 

there's also a date stamp. here's a completed auction with an ITR head i just sold. you can see the casting marks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/140720020961...ht_2021wt_1396

it's more or less impossible to tell the difference between a b16 head and itr except by the bowl blend in the head. i know 98+ jdm was cnc'd which is obvious, 97 was hand blended and 96 came both as cast and hand blended. forgot what usdm was but i think they are all bowl blended.

 

Well just to add a few things that I know. I bought the head with Supertech valve train. It has had a valve job and been cleaned recently so no green paint. Also, no stock manifold so most of the identifiying ITR bits have been upgraded or did not come with the head. What about this "star" that is cast into the head, it's close to the PR3-2 and I have never seen this on a B-series head. What the hell does it represent?

 

if all that is done it doesn't matter if it's a b16 or itr head. the bare casting is the same

 

ITRRRRR

 

This video interview with the owner of Spoon Sports mentions Honda had been doing C&C porting since late 96.

Move to the 9:24 mark on this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCYL70Q9wVs