Reinforced inlet valves FIAT Punto GT Turbo 176A4

FIAT engines covered

The 176A4.000 is the 1.4-litre 8-valve turbocharged four-cylinder engine of the first-series Fiat Punto GT, built from 1993 to 1997.

It has 4 inlet valves, original part number 7565812, with a 36 mm head and an 8 mm stem. More boost, a bigger turbo or a sharper camshaft load them far more than the factory setting.

FERREA reinforced inlet valves

The inlet valve opens on every cycle to let in the air compressed by the turbo, closes by striking its seat and slides constantly in its guide, at 400 to 550 °C. The chrome-silicon steel of an ordinary valve falls from 500 MPa at 500 °C to 250 MPa at 600 °C: it loses 50 % of its strength.

The FERREA 6000 series valve is EV8 stainless steel: 650 MPa at 500 °C and 550 MPa at 600 °C, 30 % then 120 % stronger than chrome-silicon steel. It comes at standard size, with a 36 mm head, and fits seats in good condition.

Inlet valve technical specification

Fitting details

With its 3 grooves, the FERREA valve takes 3-groove collets; new collets are recommended.

At standard size, the 4 inlet seats simply need lapping if they are in good condition.

Technical guide

The brand offered

Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, since 1978, FERREA Racing Components starts each valve from a single forged bar, then machines it entirely on CNC equipment. Its parts race in NASCAR as well as in drag racing.

How to choose

The groove is the recess machined near the end of the stem, where the collets lock the upper retainer. On the 176A4 the valve offered is as follows:

When reinforced valves become necessary

• More boost or a bigger turbo
• Sharper camshaft or stiffer springs
• Higher rev limit
• Cylinder head rebuilt for track, hillclimb or rally
• Worn original valves or seats already reground

Compatible vehicles

OEM part number (inlet valve): 7565812

Related products

With the cylinder head off, also replace the 4 exhaust valves of the 176A4: