How to: Type R Valvetrain Installation

Type R Valvetrain Installation

COMING SOON!

I plan to try this soon, as usual I will be taking pics of the whole procedure and doing a write-up with instructions to follow. In the mean time here are some pics of the progress so far.

I have been planning to upgrade my valvetrain for a while now, but it has taken me a while to gather all the parts I need. I am currently using Civic Type R Cams on my stock B16a valvetrain, with stock revlimit.

CTR/ITR cams will usually be fine on a stock valvetrain but only when keeping the stock rev limit of 8200 ( I say usually and my engine is fine but note the disclaimer on my home page). If you want to rev higher than this you need to upgrade your valve springs so as to prevent valve float. Valve float is caused when the valve spring is unable to keep up with the speed of the valve, the spring will compress and will not be able to push the valve up in time and the piston hits the valve. This only occurs at very high RPM.

In order to remove the valve springs and retainers, one method is to remove the head and use a clamp style valve spring compressor to compress the spring and remove the valve. This method is fine but it takes a long time to remove the head and you will have to consider expenses like a new head gasket and coolant.

 

Another method is to leave the head on and use an overhead valve spring compressor. The main problem with this is you need some other method to keep the valve from dropping into the cylinder. If it does drop you need to remove the head anyway, defeating the purpose of this method.

There are 2 main methods to keep the valve from dropping, 1 is to use compressed air and a compression tester to blow air into the cylinder head via the spark plug holes, thus keeping the valve in the head while you compress the spring.

Since I don't have an air compressor handy I intend to use option 2, inserting a length of nylon rope into the cylinder through the spark plug hole and rotating the crank pulley to put the cylinder at the top of its stroke. The rope coiled up will hold the valve up.

In order to compress the spring, you need a valve spring compressor. Generic screw-down style ones don't work on the B16a/ B18c because there isn't enough room.

 

Snap-on makes a tool which bolts to the head and can press down on the retainer from above. Unfortunately they cost a lot so unless you are going to be using it often you may want to make your own like I did. Here are some pics of the Snap-on tool and my version made from parts I found lying around. See if you can tell which is which.

Which one is the Snap-on?

 

Here are some comparisons of the stock B16a and the Type R valvetrain parts. The Type R valves will be installed later as I have to remove the head and have them professionally seated (note the difference in angles)

Below is the standard b16a intake valve spring on the left and the type R on the right.

Here is a comparison of the intake valves, stock on the left and Type R on the right. Notice the difference in the seating area angles, because of this the Type R valves must be professionally installed and I plan to get this as well as a port and polish in the future. The Type R valves are 12% lighter and are stainless steel. Also notice the narrower stem on the Type R.

Below is the standard b16a retainer I plan to use. In the future I may use some Skunk2 titanium retainers, these don't last as long as stock retainers but are lighter. Some people have found their Skunk2 retainers almost worn through after 20 000 miles. I plan to have mine friction coated and to keep an eye on them. Also pictured is the valve keepers, these fit over the top of the valve stem and keep the retainer on the valve.

I will finish this page ASAP, not sure when I will get time and I don't have a garage so I will need a sunny day.

 

 

This website has been gradually growing since I started it in early 2002. Originally I was simply documenting modifications and repairs to my car but I decided to publish it when I began to discover others were interested in the information. If you need help or have a how-to relating to Honda B series VTEC engines, or DA or DC2R Integras you can
email me.

While all care is taken to provide correct information, mistakes are occasionally made and I cannot be responsible for any damage that occurs to readers vehicles.