At Highway and Heavy Parts, we’re dedicated to bringing you the best information about diesel engine parts around. We want you to feel confident as you shop for parts, grow your business, and successfully identify what you need for the job at hand.
We have a staff of experts whose extensive experience and knowledge about the diesel industry can help you buy with certainty.
This post helps us bring our knowledge to you!
In this article, we’re taking a look at our line of Ultra Performance Cylinder Heads and what they can do for your diesel engine.
What Are the Ultra Performance Cylinder Heads?
The Performance Line of Cylinder Heads offers some upgrades to help you get the most out of your diesel engine.
Inconel Valves
One of the main features of this line are the Inconel intake and exhaust valves. These valves are stronger and more durable than stock valves.
Inconel is considered a super alloy of blended metals. This alloy can withstand the higher temperatures and pressures produced by these turbocharged engines.
Valves made from inconel won’t bend or break like stainless steel valves can in harsh conditions. You’ll often find them used in motorsports.
Using Inconel valves also reduces the risk of chordal fracture, and they’re resistant to corrosion, oxidation, pitting, and cracking.
Fire Rings
Another feature of the Performance Line of cylinder heads are Fire Rings. These stainless steel rings are machined into the deck, and they help prevent head gasket blow-out.
Heads with these can better withstand the extreme temperatures, pressure, and stress that is generated by high-performance engines.
What Are the Different Stages of Performance Cylinder Heads?
To begin with, all our Performance Line Cylinder Heads use the same castings to ensure proper fit and function, increased nickel content throughout the casting, and increased cooling capacity.
These heads are all brand new. That’s because, over the years, we’ve found that welded or repaired cylinder heads are not as strong as new ones. This can result in another unwanted failure.
Standard Cylinder Head
We offer the standard cylinder head, and this head is loaded with all the new essential components you’d find in an OE quality cylinder head.
Included with this head are:
- New intake and exhaust valves
- Valve springs
- Spring retainers
- Pre-installed cam bearings
This head is also designed with wider fluid passages and a thicker deck for enhanced coolant flow and it’s crafted with a higher nickel content. This ensures increased strength and durability in the overall structure of the head.
Stage Two Cylinder Head
Next, we offer the Stage Two Cylinder Head. With this head, you’ll get everything from the standard head, but you’ll also be getting Inconel Exhaust valves installed.
Stage Three Cylinder Head
With the Stage Three Cylinder Head, you’ll get all the standard features, as well as the Inconel Exhaust Valves, like the Stage Two Head.
On this head, though, you’ll also have Inconel Intake Valves installed. Any issues the stock valves may have faced have been greatly reduced in the Stage Three Head, since all the valves have been replaced with Inconel material.
Stage Four Cylinder Head
The Stage Four, Ultra Performance Cylinder Head, is the hallmark of our Performance Line of Cylinder Heads. It comes with everything we’ve mentioned before: your new essential components, Inconel Intake Valves, and Inconel Exhaust Valves.
The Stage Four Head also comes with Stainless Steel Fire Rings machined into the deck. These Fire Rings help prevent head gasket failure, a common issue caused by the extreme pressures and temperatures these cylinder heads operate in.
If you’re looking to buy a part, expand your business, increase your profit, or get advice from a certified diesel engine representative, we’re here to help!
From diagnosis through delivery, we’re Highway and Heavy Parts!
Related Articles:
ABOUT THE CAT C15, C15 ACERT, 3406E STAGE 4 PERFORMANCE DIESEL ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD
Related Videos:
SHORT ON TIME? TAKE YOUR QUOTE ONLINE!
We get it – when you need diesel engine parts, time is of the essence. That’s why we’ve developed the HHP Online Quoting System.
FAQs for the Ultra Performance Cylinder Heads
1. What are Ultra Performance Cylinder Heads and how do they benefit diesel engines?
Ultra Performance Cylinder Heads from Highway and Heavy Parts are advanced replacement heads designed to improve durability, cooling, and overall engine performance. Featuring new castings with increased nickel content, wider fluid passages, and thicker decks, these cylinder heads enhance coolant flow and structural strength. Upgraded components like Inconel intake and exhaust valves and stainless steel fire rings further increase resistance to heat, pressure, and gasket failure, helping your diesel engine run more reliably under demanding conditions.
2. What is special about the Inconel valves used in these cylinder heads?
Inconel valves are a high-performance superalloy blend of metals that can withstand the extreme temperatures and pressures typical in turbocharged diesel engines. Unlike stainless steel valves, Inconel valves resist bending, cracking, corrosion, and oxidation, making them ideal for high-stress applications. Highway and Heavy Parts uses Inconel intake and exhaust valves in their Ultra Performance Cylinder Heads to ensure longer valve life and better engine reliability.
3. How do stainless steel fire rings improve cylinder head performance?
Stainless steel fire rings, machined directly into the deck of Ultra Performance Cylinder Heads, prevent head gasket blowouts caused by extreme heat and pressure. These fire rings strengthen the sealing surface, helping the cylinder head withstand thermal and mechanical stress better than standard heads. This upgrade is especially important for engines running at higher boost pressures or under heavy loads, reducing the risk of costly gasket failures.
4. What are the different stages of performance cylinder heads offered by Highway and Heavy Parts?
Highway and Heavy Parts offers a performance line of cylinder heads ranging from Standard to Stage Four Ultra Performance models. The Standard head includes new valves, springs, retainers, and cam bearings with improved cooling passages. The Stage Two adds Inconel exhaust valves, while Stage Three upgrades both intake and exhaust valves to Inconel. The Stage Four model features all these upgrades plus stainless steel fire rings, delivering the highest durability and performance for demanding diesel engines.
5. Why should I choose new cylinder heads over repaired or welded ones?
Highway and Heavy Parts recommends new cylinder heads because welded or repaired heads often have reduced strength and are prone to failure. New heads with enhanced nickel content and improved cooling passages ensure maximum durability and reliability. Choosing new Ultra Performance Cylinder Heads helps avoid repeat repairs and costly downtime, making them a smarter investment for maintaining high-performance diesel engines.
