SUPERTECH bronze valve guides Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X 4B11T and Hyundai G4KF

The engines covered

The 4B11 turbo is the 2.0 litre 16-valve twin-cam engine of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, also found in the Lancer Ralliart. Mitsubishi fits eight guides on the inlet side and eight on the exhaust side of its head, all sharing one original part number, 1010A164. The G4KF, the 2.0 litre Theta II turbo of the Hyundai Genesis Coupé, takes the GDE-MEVOX-OS-8 part number only.

SUPERTECH offers two part numbers valid for both sides: GDE-MEVOX-8 in the +0.001 inch size (outside diameter 11.06 mm) and GDE-MEVOX-OS-8 in the +0.009 inch size (outside diameter 11.28 mm), both with a 5.5 mm bore and a 43.65 mm length. Each kit combines two sets of 8 guides, which makes the 16 guides of the cylinder head.

SUPERTECH manganese bronze valve guides

An unobtrusive part of the head, the guide forces the valve onto a straight path down to its seat, dissipates a share of the stem's heat and retains the stem seal. When worn, it lets the valve wobble and arrive off-square; oil then enters the combustion chamber: blue smoke, frequent top-ups, compression pressure that differs from one cylinder to the next.

The manganese bronze chosen by SUPERTECH conducts heat, the brand says, far better than the sintered original guides. It usually goes in together with reinforced valves. Each part number covers inlet and exhaust, which explains the two sets of 8 in the kit.

Valve guide technical specifications

Valve guide installation

Technical guide

Reinforced valves are available for the Lancer Evolution X:

Our brand

SUPERTECH is a Californian company based in San Jose that supplies motorsport with guides, valves, retainers and springs. Every part goes through ultrasonic, radiographic and laser checks before it is handed to builders of racing engines.

+0.001 or +0.009 inch size?

SUPERTECH supplies this guide in two oversize grades: +0.001" (outside diameter 11.06 mm, GDE-MEVOX-8) and +0.009" (outside diameter 11.28 mm, GDE-MEVOX-OS-8). The measurement of the guide seat in the head decides which size to fit.

Manganese bronze

Manganese bronze is a copper-based alloy that also contains zinc, manganese, iron and aluminium. It is hard, copes well with repeated rubbing and does not oxidise easily: qualities prized in guide bushings, which explains why it suits valve guides.

When valve guides must be replaced

• Blue smoke on the overrun, oil level dropping
• Reinforced valves going into a head with loose guides
• Evolution X on track, rally or hill climb
• Overhaul of the whole valve train

Vehicle compatibility

OEM part number (valve guide): 1010A164 (4B11T)

Important: the Evolution X FQ-330 and FQ-360 are not listed in the applications of these part numbers, and GDE-MEVOX-8 is not listed for the G4KF either; they are not covered by this kit.

Remember the valve stem seals

Fresh guides call for fresh stem seals. On this engine the original seal is identified by the Mitsubishi part number MN183952.