Volkswagen: timing, racing cams, stock model

Question
What would you recommend for maximum advance for a 1600
engine. Also, would an empi big valve head fail on cylinder number 3 as early as the stock model.

Answer
Steve,
 Depends on the distributor, but maximum advance of 28-30 @ 3500rpm is pretty much standard.  Can't say about the EMPI, but generally the bigger the valves, the more likely the head may crack due to reduced metal mass between the valves and the exterior of the head.  Also, radical "racing" cams can increase heating and consequently valve burning because the cam timing keeps the valves off their seats for too long, a critical point of heat transfer.

Rick