Reinforced inlet valves FIAT Bravo Brava 1.6 16V 182A6

FIAT engines covered

The 182A6.000 is the 1.6 litre four-cylinder with 16 valves and twin overhead camshafts of the first-generation Fiat Bravo and Brava, built from 1995 to 2001.

It has 8 inlet valves, originally 46 517 325, with a 30.4 mm head and a 7 mm stem. Sharper camshafts, higher revs or track use put more load on the seats and heads.

FERREA reinforced inlet valves

The 182A6.000 of the first-generation Fiat Bravo and Brava is a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre four with 16 valves, fitted with two camshafts sitting on the cylinder head; its 8 inlet valves, two per cylinder, open the way for the fresh mixture, dozens of times per second once the engine climbs high in the rev range. Each closing presses the head onto its seat with a sharp knock, while the stem runs restlessly through the guide. The metal thus works at 400 to 550 °C, a range in which standard chrome-silicon steel is already losing ground: 500 MPa at 500 °C, then just 250 MPa near 600 °C, meaning 50 % less strength. Wilder camshafts, firmer springs, more revs or added forced induction make these blows, this friction and this heat harsher still.

The F6763 and F6765 belong to FERREA's 6000 series, forged from an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel of the EV8 (21-4N) type. This alloy keeps 650 MPa at 500 °C, 30 % above the standard steel, and still 550 MPa at 600 °C, 120 % above: the head holds its shape and the seat its tightness under sustained load. Both part numbers share a 7 mm stem and a 102.52 mm length.

The head comes as 30.5 mm on the F6763, at standard size, and as 31.5 mm on the F6765, a +1 mm oversize. The extra millimetre enlarges the opening at the seat: a larger volume of air flows in, the cylinders fill better and power goes up, provided the 8 inlet seats have first been cut to 31.5 mm.

Inlet valve technical specification

F6763 is standard size and F6765 is +1 mm; both have a 7 mm stem and a 102.52 mm length.

Fitting details

On reassembly, check that the collets sit properly in the groove of the FERREA valves and replace any that are worn.

F6763 fits original seats that have been recut; F6765 requires the 8 inlet seats to be machined to 31.5 mm.

Technical guide

The brand offered

Based since 1978 at Fort Lauderdale, where two Argentine engine men founded it, FERREA Racing Components subcontracts nothing. A steel bar turns there into a one-piece forged valve, fully CNC machined, then raced in NASCAR, drag racing or on track.

How to choose

Cut into the stem end, the groove seats the collets holding the valve tight to the retainer. Material, stem and length match: only the head differs.

When reinforced valves become necessary

• Higher-lift camshafts or firmer valve springs
• Ignition cut moved towards higher rpm
• A turbo or supercharger added to the 182A6.000
• Head rebuilt for circuit, hillclimb or rally
• Fiat valves damaged, worn or at repair size

Compatible vehicles

OEM part number (inlet valve): 46 517 325

Related products

A 182A6.000 head stripped for a rebuild also deserves new exhaust valves. This engine benefits from reinforced valves on that side too, available here: