Your 2-stroke engine’s cylinder head determines the efficiency and power of your motorized bicycle. As such, it’s one of the most important parts to consider and keep an eye on.
Different types of cylinder heads do different things and will affect your bike in different ways. Overall, though, a cylinder head will provide more power to help your motorized bike perform better on tough terrain, as well as improve insolation and engine cooling. It also allows you to run more high-performance parts on your motorized bike, so you can ensure you’re getting the maximum performance and efficiency out of your 2-stroke engine.
In this article we’ve outlined what you’ll need to know about cylinder heads so that you can understand exactly what they do and how they affect the way a motorized bike runs. We’re also highlighting a few of our favorite high-performance cylinder heads so that you can find the best one that works for you and your ride.
What Is a 2-Stroke Cylinder Head?
A cylinder head is a pivotal part of any 2-stroke engine. Located on top of the engine block, or cylinder body, the head has several purposes.
- A cylinder head helps form your 2-stroke engine’s combustion chamber. The head’s functions include serving as a place where valves, spark plugs, and fuel injectors can be mounted. It allows space for air and fuel to be fed to the cylinder and for exhaust to escape.
- A metallic lip seal on the cylinder head helps prevent gas leakage. This seal allows the combustion chamber to be switched out and modified by swapping out different inserts rather than changing the entire head itself.
- Your engine’s cylinder head helps keep your engine from overheating. The metallic lip seal mentioned above provides better thermal isolation between the cylinder head and the cylinder barrel. This is important as the cylinder head helps keep the cylinder body’s temperature regulated, which in turn allows the cylinder body to remain cooler so that it’s compatible with various internal lubricants.
Overall, the cylinder head is important due to the various functions it serves. It determines the performance and efficiency of an internal combustion engine based on the shape of the combustion chamber, inlet passages and ports, and the exhaust system. These factors all play into the volumetric efficiency and compression ratio of an engine. In short, the right cylinder head can do wonders for your 2-stroke engine!
How Can a High-Performance Cylinder Head Improve My 2-Stroke Engine?
The right high-performance cylinder head can help to improve a 2-stroke engine on your motorized bicycle in several ways:- Increased Engine Power and Performance — If you’re looking to increase your 2-stroke engine’s overall speed, a cylinder head upgrade could provide you with the boost you need.
- Improved Torque — This will help a great deal when taking your bike on steep hills or rough terrain when you head off-road.
- Better Compression — High compression cylinder heads work to compensate for compression when you’re using a lot of high-performance parts — like a 66/80cc High Performance Carburetor or BBR Tuning High Performance Voodoo Muffler Expansion Chamber — on your bike.
- Faster Engine Cooling — A good high-performance cylinder head allows your engine to cool much faster, which means it will avoid overheating and run better for longer.
When Should I Use a High-Performance Cylinder Head?
Photo: BikeBerry (Facebook)- Off-Roading on Difficult Terrain — A good 2-stroke cylinder head can give your engine enough power so that your bike is able to take on rocky paths when you’re heading on a new adventure. With the right cylinder head, you’ll be able to tackle virtually any terrain on your motorized bicycle.
- Climbing Steep Hills — Whether you enjoy challenging yourself on an off-road trail or you typically commute through hilly street roads, an upgraded 2-stroke cylinder head will make climbing inclines a breeze.
- Racing — Who doesn’t want a little extra power to one-up the competition on the racing circuit? Some cylinder heads are designed specifically for racing, so you’ll want to look into those if that’s something you plan on doing.
- Carrying Heavy Loads — If you find yourself struggling to carry heavy loads frequently while riding, upgrading your 2-stroke cylinder head will increase your motorized bike's torque. This is great as it'll provide more pulling power, which in turn means you and your bike won't have to work as hard.
The Best High-Performance 2-Stroke Cylinder Heads
If you’re not sure where to look for the best 2-stroke engine cylinder head for your own motorized bike, we can help! Here are a few high-performance cylinder heads that serve different purposes.
Editor’s Choice: BBR Tuning Billet Aluminum High-Performance Cylinder Head 66/80cc
The BBR Tuning Billet Aluminum High-Performance Cylinder Head 66/80cc is the perfect head if you’re looking for power, functionality, and style. If you’re looking for a head that will increase your engine’s speed, you’ll be glad to know that this 2-stroke cylinder head provides up to 30 percent more power for your motorized bike.
It’s not all about top end speed, though. The BBR Tuning High-Performance Cylinder Head also gives you an increase in torque. Whether you’re trying to hit high speeds on the racing circuit or just need a bit more pulling power when you’re traveling on rough terrain or commuting uphill, this cylinder head has you covered.
If faster speeds and increased torque aren’t enough, you’ll be glad to know that this 2-stroke cylinder head also provides better cooling for your motorized bike engine. This is a nice plus since your 2-stroke engine will be working a lot harder if you’re racing, off-roading, or climbing hills.
This is one of the most versatile high-performance cylinder heads you’ll find on the market. It does a lot and it does it well — and it features a sleek, sophisticated look, too. In addition, it’s compatible with a wide range of 66/80cc 2-stroke engines, making it a top choice for your riding needs.
2-Stroke Cylinder Head Features:
- 30 percent increase in speed and power
- Increased torque
- Improved engine cooling
- Compatible with a variety of 60/80cc 2-stroke engines
Our Price: $74.99 | Click Here to Buy This 2-Stroke Cylinder Head
For High Compression and Fuel Efficiency: BBR Tuning Billet Aluminum High Compression Cylinder Head 66/80cc
When it comes to cylinder heads for performance motors, look no further than the BBR Tuning Billet Aluminum High Compression Cylinder Head 66/80cc. If you’re installing a lot of high-performance components on your 2-stroke engine, you’re going to want increased compression to keep up with all that power.
Performance motorized bike engines call for high-performance parts and, in turn, a head that can compensate for high compression. With this high compression head, you won’t have to worry about your engine struggling to give you fast speeds. This high-performance cylinder head is highly recommended if you’re using a lot of upgraded components on your engine. This is because the more performance parts you have running on your motorized bicycle, the more compression you’ll need.
Higher compression also means better fuel efficiency. This is because this 2-stroke cylinder head offers improved thermal efficiency, which allows the engine to extract more energy during the combustion process.
This upgrade is shorter than most other high-performance cylinder heads, so you’ll be able to easily fit it onto your 2-stroke engine. On top of that, it’s compatible with most 66/80cc 2-stroke engines on the market.
2-Stroke Cylinder Head Features:
- Increased compression for running multiple high-performance parts
- Flat shape makes it easy to install on most engines and motorized bike frames
- Increased fuel efficiency due to higher thermal efficiency during combustion
- Compatible with a variety of 60/80cc 2-stroke engines
Our Price: $44.95 | Click Here to Buy This 2-Stroke Cylinder Head
For Improved Engine Cooling: BBR Tuning Racing Cylinder Head
Racing with your high-performance 2-stroke engine can lead to high temperatures. As such, you’re going to want a high-performance cylinder head that provides faster cooling. The BBR Tuning Racing Cylinder Head is perfect for the job.
This 2-stroke cylinder head provides up to 60 percent faster engine cooling. That means you’ll be able to hit those fast speeds on the racing circuit without fear of overheating your 2-stroke engine. A cooler engine means you’ll be able to rev higher and stronger for longer periods of time, which will allow you to smoke the competition on your motorized bike.
Even if you’re not racing, more efficient cooling means you can run your engine much better in areas with extreme temperatures. That means you don’t need to worry about your motorized bike engine overheating even if you’re just commuting to work on a hot day.
On top of allowing your engine to cool more efficiently, the Racing Cylinder Head also promotes higher compression, making it an excellent component to pair up with other high-performance parts.
Lastly, due to its slim design, you’ll be able to fit this 2-stroke cylinder head on most motorized bike frames without worrying about potential clearance issues.
2-Stroke Cylinder Head Features:
- Better engine cooling for fast riding and high temperatures
- Increased compression
- Slim design allows for easy installation on most motorized bike frames
Our Price: $69.99 | Click Here to By This 2-Stroke Cylinder Head
A High-Performance Cylinder Head Will Work Wonders for Your 2-Stroke Engine
You’ll be surprised by how much power you can get out of a high-performance 2-stroke cylinder head. With the right upgrade, you’ll notice a boost in top end speed, a bump in low end torque, better compression, increased fuel efficiency, and even improved cooling.
When you choose the high-performance cylinder head that's right for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Correct Break-In — Make sure your motorized bike and performance parts (especially the exhaust system) are ready to take the power the cylinder head is going to provide. Make sure these components are properly broken in, and avoid redlining your 2-stroke engine for the first 3 to 4 gas tanks after installing these parts.
- Properly Torque the Head on Your Engine — You don't want the 2-stroke cylinder head on your engine to sit too tight or too loose. As such, you'll want to torque it to the right specs on your engine. Typically, this is 10 to 12 ft/lbs.
- Make Sure the Cylinder Head Fits Your Engine — The last thing you want to do is install the wrong high-performance part on your engine. While the 2-stroke cylinder heads listed in this article will fit most 2-stroke models, you should make sure it's actually compatible with your motorized bike motor. If you notice it doesn't fit properly or you struggle to really get it on there, it's probably not compatible with your engine.
