MID AMERICA MOTORWORKS 334450 Cylinder Head Dual Port Valves Air Cooled Vw 1600CC

( Brand: Mid America Motorworks ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: 334450 ), ( Type: Cylinder Head ), ( Oe/oem Part Number: 043-101-355-c ), ( Material: Aluminum ), ( Vintage Part: No ), ( Finish: Unfinished ), ( Item Weight: 13 Lb )

Review MID AMERICA MOTORWORKS Cylinder Head Dual Port Bare Without Valves Air Cooled Vw 1600cc fits 1971–1979

The **MotorWorks 334450 Cylinder Head, Dual-Port, Bare Valves** is a meticulously crafted, high-performance replacement for the air-cooled Volkswagen 1600cc engines found in iconic models from 1971 through 1979, including the legendary Type 3 (Bus, Fastback, and Squareback), Karmann Ghia, and rare Type 2 (Westfalia) variants. Engineered to restore or enhance the breathing efficiency of your VW s powerplant, this precision-machined cylinder head features a **dual-port design**, which optimizes airflow by separating intake and exhaust passages for improved velocity and scavenging. The head is constructed from **high-grade cast iron**, ensuring durability and resistance to thermal stress, while the **bare valve setup** complete with hardened steel valves and precision-ground seats allows for a fully customizable installation. Whether you re restoring a classic to factory specifications or pushing it beyond stock performance, these heads offer a seamless upgrade, compatible with both stock and aftermarket camshafts, including the popular **MotorWorks 334451 camshaft** for a matched performance package. The **threaded spark plug holes** and **correct valve stem angles** guarantee a perfect fit, while the **polished intake ports** and **optimized combustion chamber shape** promote better fuel atomization and combustion efficiency. Ideal for enthusiasts seeking a balance of authenticity and performance, this cylinder head is a direct replacement for the original VW components, ensuring reliability and ease of installation while unlocking the full potential of your air-cooled VW s legendary 1600cc engine.

### Pros and Cons of buying a MotorWorks 334450 Cylinder Head (Dual Port, Bare Valves) for a 1971 1979 Air-Cooled VW 1600cc Engine

1. **Performance Gains** Dual-port cylinder heads are designed to improve airflow compared to the stock single-port heads, which can increase horsepower and torque, especially when paired with a high-performance camshaft and carburetor. This is particularly noticeable in naturally aspirated applications.

2. **Better Valve Flow** The dual-port design allows for improved exhaust and intake scavenging, reducing backpressure and enabling better cylinder filling. This can lead to smoother power delivery and higher RPM capability.

3. **Compatibility with Modifications** If you plan to install a high-lift camshaft, larger valves, or a performance carburetor (like a Weber or Holley), dual-port heads are a better foundation than stock heads, which are limited by their single-port design.

4. **Durability and Strength** MotorWorks heads are forged from high-quality materials, making them more resistant to warping and cracking compared to some aftermarket or OEM alternatives, especially when properly installed and maintained.

5. **Easier Installation of Upgrades** The bare valve setup allows for the installation of upgraded valves, springs, and retainers, which can further enhance performance and longevity.

6. **Aesthetic Appeal** For enthusiasts who appreciate a clean, modern look, dual-port heads offer a more aggressive and performance-oriented appearance compared to stock heads.

7. **Potential for Future Upgrades** If you plan to pursue further modifications (e.g., turbocharging, supercharging, or larger displacement), dual-port heads provide a better starting point than stock heads.

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1. **Cost** Dual-port heads are significantly more expensive than stock or even some aftermarket single-port heads. The price may not be justified if you re only looking for mild performance improvements or plan to keep the engine stock.

2. **Installation Complexity** Installing dual-port heads requires careful attention to valve lash, camshaft timing, and carburetion tuning. Improper installation can lead to poor performance, valve float, or even engine damage.

3. **Lack of Stock Parts Compatibility** Unlike stock heads, dual-port heads are not designed to work seamlessly with stock components (e.g., stock cams, carburetors, or intake manifolds). You ll likely need to upgrade other parts to match, adding to the cost.

4. **Potential for Overkill** If your primary goal is reliability or mild tuning (e.g., replacing worn parts), dual-port heads may be unnecessary. Stock heads can be rebuilt and remain perfectly functional for daily driving or light modifications.

5. **Learning Curve for Tuning** Dual-port heads paired with aggressive cams or carburetors require precise fuel and ignition tuning. Without proper knowledge, you may struggle to optimize performance, leading to rough idling, hesitation, or poor throttle response.

6. **Weight and Space Considerations** Dual-port heads are slightly heavier than stock heads, which may affect drivability in a lightweight air-cooled VW. Additionally, the larger valves and ports may require modifications to the intake manifold or exhaust system.

7. **Resale Value Impact** If you plan to sell the car later, dual-port heads may not appeal to buyers looking for a stock or lightly modified engine. Some purists prefer the original single-port design for its simplicity and classic feel.

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### **Conclusion and Recommendation**

The **MotorWorks 334450 dual-port cylinder heads** are an excellent choice if you are committed to **serious performance modifications** for your 1600cc air-cooled VW. They offer measurable power gains, better airflow, and a foundation for future upgrades, making them ideal for enthusiasts who want to push their engine beyond stock limits. However, they are not a "quick fix" or a budget-friendly option they require additional investments in supporting components (cams, carburetors, tuning) and technical know-how to install and tune properly.

- **Buy if:** You are planning a **high-performance build** (e.g., 100 HP, turbocharging, or aggressive camshafts) and want the best possible airflow and durability. You re also prepared to invest in complementary upgrades (e.g., Weber carburetor, performance cam, exhaust, and tuning).

- **Skip if:** You re looking for **mild improvements** (e.g., replacing worn parts, slight power bump) or prefer to keep the engine as close to stock as possible. In this case, a **stock head rebuild** or a **single-port aftermarket head** (like those from **VW Performance Parts or ECS**) may be a more cost-effective solution.

For most **daily drivers or casual tuners**, stock heads rebuilt with modern seals, valves, and springs will provide adequate performance without the complexity and cost of dual-port heads. However, if you re serious about **maximizing power and future-proofing your engine**, the MotorWorks dual-port heads are a strong recommendation. Just be prepared for the additional work and expense required to make them perform optimally.

Details:

Valve spring still work not frozen up. See pictures.

part #: 334450 price

• $309.95

specifications cylinderheapar:

• for years: 1971-1979
• brand: Mid America Motorworks
• mpn: 334450
• type: Cylinder Head
• oe/oem part number: 043-101-355-c
• material: Aluminum
• vintage part: No
• finish: Unfinished
• item weight: 13 Lb

payments cylinderheapar:

• wallet: Apple-pay
• credit card: Mastercard
• other

returns cylinderheapar:

• policy: No Returns

shipping cylinderheapar:

• cost: $40.00
• service: FedEx Ground / FedEx Home Delivery
• type: Fixed
• transit: 3-6 Days
• carrier: FedEx
• class: Standard

offer cylinderheapar:

• availability: In Stock
• started: March 29, 2026
• options: Ship-to-home
• quantity: 1
• sold: 0
• best offers: True

seller cylinderheapar:

• # reviews: 886
• rating: 99.7%
• city: Tyler, Texas

general cylinderheapar:

• Car Truck Parts Accessories > Engines Engine Parts > Cylinder Heads
• condition: Used

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