My car is 1997 audi a4 b5 quatttro 1.8t with intergrated engineering forged rods and JE pistons with a Precision 5857 billet turbo running 550cc injectors and atp software, the block only has about 7k miles on it, but the head has 140k. i want to rebuild it but i can't seem to find any shops in Washington who will do it for a cheap price.
Does anyone know of any shops or of someone selling a head?
Ive seen ads on ebay like this 1996-2000 AUDI / PASSAT 1.8T CYLINDER HEAD REBUILT AEB | eBay
But im a bit skeptical.
Also id like some advice on whether i should build the head or just rebuild it.

Im just looking for more people with experience on this to chime in.

 

Rebuild the head with upgraded parts. You might not need it now but it'll pay off if you decide to go for higher power. I'm not sure what all the stock parts are rated for in the first place but I come from the land of hi-po big blocks and high rpm smallblocks. Always overbuild a little.

 

Yeah, that's what i want to do, but when people are charging 2200 just for the rebuild its scaring me away.

i'm looking around for built heads on the forums.
Ill just have to keep checking shops to see if i can find a deal.

 

What do you guys think about the ebay heads for sale?
That's basically cheaper than what any shop would charge for a rebuild.
Then i could just purchase upgraded valves from maybe ecs tuning, and possibly some other parts.

 

Ok, i've got a rebuilt head now.
Should i upgrade valve springs so i can rev up to 8k?
Should i upgrade any valves?
And i think i wanted to do a intake cam, but don't know any shops that have them in stock and are under 400$?

 

How much boost are you thinking you're going to be pushing? What's the hp you're shooting for? What do you think this car is? A Honda?

 

i'm looking around 400- 500hp, i don't really want to push more than 22psi.

 

Talk to Mike Hood, flynnr, or FasterA4ThanUrs. Those guys will likely have the info you need for your head since Mike's rep is well-known and the other two guys both run BAT setups and have likely educated themselves on top-end breathing needs.

 

Yeah, im hoping one of them sees this post, i like to think i understand a bit about my engine. But when i get to the cylinder heads im lost. Ive never been educated on that. ha

 

If your looking to rev up near or past 8k, then you really only need new valve springs and retainers. Does your tune allow you to rev that high? Replacing valves with supertechs or ferreas is common when buliding the head, but only absolutely needed if your machining the head for oversized valves or something. Using a single groove valve will help you rev out higher because they wont slip and float. Oversized valves and bigger cams are very helpful, but your tune will need to be updated to see the potential of them.

If you can dump $3500+ into building your head (like I did) then go for it, but you can get away with spending way less if your just looking to get a few more revs out of it.