Thanks, chrissev. I need to start looking at the for sale posts more often.
The recent post on the SAE paper (which I read) was very enlightening. Turns out that the TD engine is different from the NA in many ways. I was not aware that the TD engine also has different/improved crank, main caps, valves, and swirl chambers.
Is it folly to try to build a TD from an NA without these improvements? I'm particularly concerned about the valves and swirl chambers, so that would mean getting a real turbo head. I didn't realize that there was a difference between the turbo and NA mechanical heads.
Yeah I've heard the turbo head has different valves and bigger swirl chambers. You can buy a brand new 1.6 turbo head for $500 US but that might be a bit out of your price range. Another option (and what I'm wanting to do if I can find one) is to install a 1.9 head. These apparently give better air flow than the 1.6 turbo heads so they interest me a lot (it would mean I can pump more air into the cylinders, and pump it faster) and they also can be used with a metal head gasket which can hold more boost. Add an intercooler and a ram air set up.....I am planning a summer project right now.....
Another option (and what I'm wanting to do if I can find one) is to install a 1.9 head. These apparently give better air flow than the 1.6 turbo heads so they interest me a lot (it would mean I can pump more air into the cylinders, and pump it faster) and they also can be used with a metal head gasket which can hold more boost. Add an intercooler and a ram air set up.....I am planning a summer project right now.....
I'm assuming that a 1.9 head is has hydraulic lifters, so it would have to be on a '86 or later block, correct?