GTV-2 Cylinder Head, 94mm with Dual Springs 44 & 37.5 Valves

OVERVIEW

The EMPI GTV-2 Cylinder Head represents the pinnacle of performance casting for the air-cooled Volkswagen community, specifically engineered to meet the demands of high-displacement, high-horsepower builds. Unlike standard factory castings that are limited by thin walls and restrictive port designs, the GTV-2 is a beefed-up powerhouse that features significantly more material in critical areas. This extra meat allows for massive custom porting and deep fly cutting, giving engine builders the ultimate flexibility to dial in high compression ratios without compromising structural integrity. The intake and exhaust ports arrive 20% larger than stock right out of the box, ensuring that your 94mm bore engine breathes with the efficiency required for street-strip dominance or aggressive off-road performance. By utilizing a permanent mold casting process with a special high-quality aluminum alloy, EMPI has created a head that is not only stronger but also more resistant to the thermal stresses of high-performance operation.

Precision and cooling are the hallmarks of the GTV-2 series, and this 94mm variant is designed to keep your engine running cool even when the competition heats up. The exhaust air passages are meticulously cleared to ensure proper airflow over the head fins, preventing the dreaded hot spots that can lead to dropped valve seats or warped surfaces. This specific assembly comes fully loaded and ready to install, featuring massive 44mm intake and 37.5mm exhaust stainless steel valves. These valves are managed by high-rev dual springs, chromoly retainers, and hardened keepers, making this head capable of sustaining high RPMs without valve float. Whether you are building a 1915cc weekend warrior or a 2332cc stroker race engine, these heads provide the flow, durability, and competition-grade valve grind necessary to unlock your VW''s true potential and deliver reliable, neck-snapping acceleration.

FITMENT

This cylinder head is designed for Volkswagen Type 1 based engines utilizing a 94mm cylinder bore. This includes the following models and custom engine configurations:

• Volkswagen Beetle: 1954 through 1977 (Sedan and Convertible)
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1956 through 1974
• Volkswagen Bus / Type 2: 1954 through 1971 (With Type 1 based engine)
• Volkswagen Type 3: 1962 through 1973 (Squareback, Fastback, Notchback)
• Volkswagen Thing: 1973 through 1974
• Custom Applications: Dune Buggies, Sand Rails, Trikes, and Kit Cars utilizing Type 1 upright engine configurations.
• Engine Displacements: Optimized for 1915cc, 2017cc, 2110cc, 2165cc, 2276cc, and 2332cc builds using 94mm pistons and cylinders.

SPECS

The GTV-2 is engineered with premium materials and technical specifications designed for maximum performance output:

• Cylinder Bore Size: 94mm (Standard for 1915cc+ displacements).
• Intake Valve Size: 44mm Stainless Steel.
• Exhaust Valve Size: 37.5mm Stainless Steel.
• Valve Springs: Dual High-Rev Performance Springs.
• Retainers: Heavy-Duty Chromoly Steel.
• Keepers: Hardened Steel for maximum security.
• Spark Plug Hole: 12mm with 3/4 inch (19mm) reach.
• Port Volume: 20% larger than stock Type 1 dual-port heads.
• Casting Material: High-density, permanent mold special aluminum alloy.
• Combustion Chamber: Extra material added for custom fly cutting and CC volume adjustment.
• Cooling: Clear-cast exhaust passages for superior heat dissipation.

PRO TIPS

PRO TIP 1: Verify Your Compression Ratio and Fly Cutting

Because the GTV-2 heads are designed with extra material in the combustion chamber, they are perfect for custom fly cutting to achieve your desired compression ratio. Always CC your heads before final assembly. If you are building a high-performance street engine, you might want to target a compression ratio between 8.5:1 and 9.5:1 depending on your camshaft profile. Don''t assume the out-of-the-box CC volume will perfectly match your deck height; measuring is the only way to ensure your engine is balanced and safe from detonation. Use a high-quality burette and plexiglass plate to get an accurate reading of the combustion chamber volume.

PRO TIP 2: Rocker Arm Geometry and Pushrod Length

When running dual springs and 44mm x 37.5mm valves, you are likely using a high-lift performance camshaft. This makes rocker arm geometry critical. Because these heads have different dimensions than stock castings, you will almost certainly need custom-length chromoly pushrods. When setting up your geometry, aim for the rocker arm adjuster to be in a straight line with the valve stem at half-lift. This minimizes side-loading on the valve guides and ensures that the dual springs are compressing evenly, which prevents premature guide wear and maximizes the lift potential of your cam. Using an adjustable "dummy" pushrod during the mock-up phase is the best way to determine the exact length needed for your specific build.

PRO TIP 3: Selecting the Correct Spark Plugs

One of the most common mistakes builders make with