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Thread: 3D printing cylinder heads ???

  1. #1
    turbo addict
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    3D printing cylinder heads ???

    Ok this question popped up with some friends while having a couple of cold ones. Instead of tying to find a good head then going though all the porting and machine work why not just get a head 3d printed with all they stuff done to it we want and crave it to have . Now i don't have any experience at all with printing parts. and i did find some Youtube videos of 911 head and a Ls block being printed in 82 hours out of aluminum so i know it can be done. Anyone know much on the topic ???

  2. #2
    boostaholic
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    Re: 3D printing cylinder heads ???

    The cost would bowl you over. While possible the reverse engineering time and the time to print with materials would put these heads in the thousands.

  3. #3
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    Re: 3D printing cylinder heads ???

    was thinking of mounting a damaged head in a bridge port and mill off 1mm at a time and 3d scan it then load data into a 3d cad .

  4. #4
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    Re: 3D printing cylinder heads ???

    I know only enough to ask if that block and head would last the 82 hours they took to print or were they "prototype models"

    I know these days the manufacturers will print parts simply as part of the evolution of the piece or it's relevance to other parts

    actual running engine parts from the printer might be .. scarey

    even if the printer and the material are all fine I know enough from my father's experience selling non ferrous metals the user can have difficulties their own shop brings to the project

    like chrysler's cadmium contaminated water pump bearings in the 50's hemi motors
    cadmium dissolves in warm water ... oops

  5. #5
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    Re: 3D printing cylinder heads ???

    2.4L sounds so much cheaper and simpler.

  6. #6
    Hybrid booster
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    Re: 3D printing cylinder heads ???

    Assuming you are referring to 8v heads, there is an aftermarket company that is currently producing them. I believe someone on here picked up one and it was decent quality.

  7. #7
    Garrett booster
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    Re: 3D printing cylinder heads ???

    I want to do a billet 420A head with k series ports and solid lifter setup. Our intake ports flow decent, but 235cfm exhaust is hurting us. I would be happy even to do solid cast heads, with external cooling.

  8. #8
    Super Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff contraption22's Avatar
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    Re: 3D printing cylinder heads ???

    Would this be more or less time/effort/money than a cnc billet head?
    Mike Marra
    1986 Plymouth Horizon GLMF "The Contraption" < entertaining sponsorship offers
    Project Log:
    http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/showthread.php?69708-The-Contraption-2013-14&highlight=

  9. #9
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    Re: 3D printing cylinder heads ???

    Nope im game for 8v, 12v, 24 valve as there is just only so many mods as the stock heads can only accommodate

  10. #10
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    Re: 3D printing cylinder heads ???

    It would do 3d casting molds and cast some heads haven't poured molten alu in a long long time in seems to have become a lost art.

  11. #11
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    Re: 3D printing cylinder heads ???

    I have been to some presentations of metal 3D printing, the company does make useable parts but they are probably 50x more $$ than a cast product. As for durability airplanes are starting to use 3D printed metal parts, specifically in GE engines, (if I am remembering right) So durability can be there, but probably another decade or 2 before it is cost effective for a hobby job, would be my guess. But it would be awesome to reproduce, the TIII head, custom 8v heads, Hans Herman, and full custom

  12. #12
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    Re: 3D printing cylinder heads ???

    an 8V head with long valves and max wedge sized ports is about ALL we need

    that would solve the need for more valves and cams right there

  13. #13
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    Re: 3D printing cylinder heads ???

    Could it be done? Sure. It would cost more than just casting a custom head, though. Between the materials, machine time, and post-processing to get a truly functional product would shoot the cost right through the roof.

  14. #14
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    Re: 3D printing cylinder heads ???

    if we as a group had the cash to back asking if brodix still have the tooling for those isma heads...we might have our 8V solution

  15. #15

    Re: 3D printing cylinder heads ???

    Quote Originally Posted by Reaper1 View Post
    Could it be done? Sure. It would cost more than just casting a custom head, though. Between the materials, machine time, and post-processing to get a truly functional product would shoot the cost right through the roof.
    Maybe today, but some time soon it likely will become viable...

  16. #16
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    Re: 3D printing cylinder heads ???

    now i like that idea

  17. #17
    Boost, it's what's for dinner... Turbo Mopar Staff Aries_Turbo's Avatar
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    Re: 3D printing cylinder heads ???

    Quote Originally Posted by boots View Post
    I want to do a billet 420A head with k series ports and solid lifter setup.
    THIS!!!!!

    man those K series make power with such low boost. like 400whp at ~10psi and other craziness. too bad they are a 94mm bore spacing vs ours at 96 lol.

    Brian

    Quote Originally Posted by turbovanman
    This one is easy, I have myself to blame, I rush things, don't pay attention to gauges when I should, change to much stuff at once then expect miracles, the list is endless.

  18. #18
    Garrett booster
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    Re: 3D printing cylinder heads ???

    I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one thinking outside the box. I think it would be simple task for 4 piston to mod there billet head program and change he spacing.

  19. #19
    boostaholic
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    Re: 3D printing cylinder heads ???

    What do you mean by simple? That's a pretty major change. That's another associated cost. It's not impossible to create a head for these cars but the cost is something that maybe 5% would take advantage of. The number of sales that would result would be a complete waste for any company. R&D is expensive. A charge of $200 an hour is not unheard of.

  20. #20
    Garrett booster
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    Re: 3D printing cylinder heads ???

    When all the drawing, design work, and machine work is completed. And all you have to do is go into program software and change a dimension (bore spacing and stud layout) To me is a lot more simple task than starting from scratch.

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