decisions about engine

[foxgst]

I am so torn about what to do. There are so many options. I want to know if I should start building my engine by buying a fully built head, and keeping the stock bottom end. I want to know if I will gain any power by adding a fully built head, like timing belt, cams/ gears, retainers, springs, lifters, etc. I don't know....There are so many different directions. I have a couple thousand I would like to throw at all of this. Could someone point me in a direction.. Thanks guys.

[goalieman24]

Are you talking about for the 1g or 2g?

[Gamble]

A lot of power can be had by doing head work.

[Red1991TSI]

Yeah, but rings can be helped with a fresh head. I've been struggling over this very question myself. I'm now currently leaning towards a remanned engine. Probably go 8.5/1 compression with pistons and the rest a stock rebuilt 6-bolt.

[QuasiMondo]

If the compression is good, leave the bottom end alone and work on the head. Porting, valves, and cams will go a long way toward freeing up some extra power.

[heppm01]

Unless you know you have a problem with your bottom end, do the head.

[Red1991TSI]

Originally Posted by Red1991TSI

Yeah, but rings can be helped with a fresh head.

Meant to say "can't be helped". My compression is 120-115-120-115 at 5000ft elevation. I get some smoke at idle and initial throttle. I've been figuring valve seals but I begin to question the health of my bottom half at 182,000 miles. What do you guys think. New engine or just the head? Leakdown is moderate from my last test. I've been meaning to run it again and just haven't had the time.

[turbolover]

Originally Posted by QuasiMondo

If the compression is good, leave the bottom end alone and work on the head. Porting, valves, and cams will go a long way toward freeing up some extra power.

I would say do it this way, as long as you have some money set away for a bottom end aswell . You never know what going to happen, specially if its a d/d.