2000 vs 1800 head and othe ?s'

[MIGHTY 8]

Hello everyone,
I am working with a stock 2000 motor with some additional add-ons.
4-2-1 headers
40/80 cams
Dual 40 IDFs

I am interested in having some work done to the cylinder head to go along with the above mentioned.

Between having work done to my 2000 head-porting, polishing, etc... I've read that a stock 1800 will produce about the same results. Question here is, which is the way to go?

Along with head work, what are people's thoughts as far as installing bigger valves and their worth to the project?

Down the road, I can see that the biggest gain (and top-off to this whole engine) would be a rebuild with the bigger pistons.

However, It leads to my second question that is, is this head work worth the investment by itself, or is the consensus just to save up and go for the full monty (full rebuild, i.e. head+ pistons) ?

Thanks everyone for your input,

[pope]

I have heard that the 2000 carbbed head is not as good as an 1800 (which will raise your compression a little). Fiat opened it back up with the 80 and above fuel injected head.
Anything you do to the head is great. Think of the engine as a part A (head) and part B (lower end). What ever you do to part A will always stay with part A. When you get high compression pistons in part B, that will not reduce the effects of part A, and you will not have to do part A over again.
In other words, You can do part A now and part B later when you get the money.

[Danno]

I have heard that the 2000 carbbed head is not as good as an 1800 (which will raise your compression a little). Fiat opened it back up with the 80 and above fuel injected head.
Anything you do to the head is great. Think of the engine as a part A (head) and part B (lower end). What ever you do to part A will always stay with part A. When you get high compression pistons in part B, that will not reduce the effects of part A, and you will not have to do part A over again.
In other words, You can do part A now and part B later when you get the money.

OK, I follow you, Pope, BUT, what if I do A and B and then Redo A, but not B and then I get a new A and redo B and then redo B again and then Redo A to be optimal with B and then have to get a new B and then redo it differently than the previous B will my A need to be redone or replaced with another A or could I just get a new C to compensate?

[rlux4]

But, who's on first?

[So Cal Mark]

it really depends on the condition of the short block. If the cyls are sealing well, just do the head. I'd highly recommend the 1800 head and larger valves. I just did this to a 2L with mild cams and a 38dges carb. The car is a blast to drive. It will pull to redline in 5th gear with 2 adults in the car. This car is equipped with my header and exhaust, which helps quite a bit though

[MIGHTY 8]

Thanks for both the informative replies, as well as the humour too!

Gotta have a sense of humour to go with owning these cars, right?

I always understood that if you did this type of work piece-meal, then you would end up retracing your first steps to compensate for the newest add-ons.

For example: you get the head tuned just right with new cams and jetted carbs, then you add bigger pistons. Now you have to go and get bigger cams, bigger carbs, etc. to take full advantage of that new level of work done?!

I'm fully commited to getting started on this head project. But really, I'm still at a loss. Should I source a good used 1800 head, or simply find a good quality speed shop that can work on my current 2L? I'm figuring with the latter option, the part is at least in hand.

Also, what's the advice on the bigger valves? I know IAP sells some, but what are the alternatives, and most importantly RECOMMENDATIONS???

Thanks again and keep 'em coming!