Thread: SR20VE build with 16VE pistons

Any updates?

Not much really, other than I've got crower dual valve springs, sr16 cams (still to arrive from Ireland) and new chips that John should send me today.

But I'll install those when I open the engine to lower the compression (still not 100% sure if I will lift the head with a thicker gasket or shave the pistons a couple of mm).

I'm also looking at piston rings because one of my cylinders is burning oil They probably were too soft for the build, what kind/brand of ring do everybody use on their sr20ve engines here?

the sr16 valve reliefs are deeper...

The SR16VE piston valve relief is not deeper than the stock piston.

It's an optical illusion. The dome is so big it only appears that way. Measure from the block deck to the bottom of the valve relief.

I had that belief given that SR16 cams have bigger lobes so valves go down further, are you 100% sure??

not really supporting what 5 speed said, because i have never measured them, but i ran [and lots of others] sr16 cams with STOCK sr20ve pistons. no issue

peace

i think you mis understood what he was saying

ok... ive never measured from the block deck... so guess thats a more accurate way to do it

John has a sr16 cam and piston tune?

That is why I asked if you measured piston to valve clearances before running it.

Yes, the SR16 cams have slightly bigger lobes than the 20VE, say +.4mm IN and +.7mm EX. But, if you are talking about the piston valve relief depth, then no the SR16 valve relief is not deeper than the 20VE. You would think the valve lift would match up with piston valve relief depth but they don’t. Take for example the 20V cams, they have even higher lift than the SR16 yet the 20V piston valve relief is shallower than the 20VE.

If you are running the SR16 cams with the SR16 piston, I wouldn’t worry about the piston to valve clearance. However, with N1 or bigger cams, I would definitely check the piston to valve clearance.

IMO, the SR16 pistons are not that strong. I saw first hand the results of running them in a build similar to yours. All four pistons crack their ring lands on the intake side, pretty shocking. The engine was running 13.5:1 compression ratio on 91 octane.

Based on pics, I think you have enough skill to measure and find out for yourself. When building an engine measure everything for yourself. Don't go off on assumptions from the board. Be careful there are some guys on this board and all they do is regurgitate bad info, no firsthand experiences.