Titanium Valve Retainer

[jamesjedi]

Hi,

My head is spinning with reading about this and getting no where. Engine is a 3.0. It is mildly modified. Eventually a 964 cam. Track/autocross.

1. How long do the titanium vale retainers last? I understand the dynamics of revs - lets say 6500-7000 rpm.

2. How often do the need to be inspected?

Cheers!

James

[Neil Harvey]

James,

Let me help you stop spinning.

How long do Ti Retainers last? This is a hard one as many factors are in play here. Spring pressures, fitment to the spring, coated or uncoated, cam design etc etc etc. In many cases in the aftermarket, the retainers fit poorly to the springs. You want them to fit tightly and have no movement. Most are un coated and are used with cam that have bad harmonics built in. This causes the springs to go nuts under high RPM, where the valve is poorly controlled both on the open and closing cycles.

How often do they needs replacing? Again, it depends on the retainer, its quality and the engines use. Just don't use them.


The collective valve train masses have to be accelerated and de accelerated every time the cam opens. The less weight, the better the control and the less forces involved. As the valve train speed in increased, up goes the need to weigh less and have higher and better control over the valve/rocker arm.

If you are going to use a 964 cam, the opening and closing ramps are quite slow, and your expected RPM limits are also low, so you have zero need to waste your money on Ti retainers and stiffer springs. You will see no advantage.

These parts along with stiffer springs are bought by many thinking they need them.

[jamesjedi]

Thanks!

I have spent hours looking.

I had decided on Ti with the stock spring. Stock spring would have less ware on the Ti retainer.

After your reply - thanks for this - I will use stock retainers.

[jamesjedi]

If anyone is looking for the seat pressure of the stock spring it is roughly 75 pounds.