source for TRW intake valves?

[drsimonwong]

Not having any luck sourcing TRW intake valves for 3.2 911. Anyone knows who's got availability?
Simon

[cstreit]

THey are tough to find right now. My suppliers only have AE for the 3.2. Plenty of TRW exhaust valves. You might have to go to a dealer, or start calling people to find them in-stock.

Anyone know why the TRW ones are tough to find?

[drsimonwong]

Nobody seems to have them in stock. Only the Intervalve brand.
Thanks anyway.
Simon

[Carrera3.5L]

Originally posted by drsimonwong
Only the Intervalve brand. Thanks anyway.
Simon

That's what you should consider buying anyway imo...I've found that TRW's quality isn't the same as it was many years ago (not just with Porsche valves btw). Some of their manufacturing facilities are located in 3rd world countries (as are many companies nowadays) to cut costs and sometimes the quality goes along with it.

Ollie's Porsche machine shop uses Intervalves now as a data point, as they were having quality control problems and sending back new TRW valves to their vendor because they were out of spec right out of the box.

As an added benefit, the Intervalves should be cheaper as well...

Ralph

[drsimonwong]

Ralph,

Sounds ideal but I can't convince my mechanic, an old school factory trained (Weissach Germany) technican to use anything other than OEM parts on my (HIS) engine rebuild....

The price of the intervalves at $11 is a big difference to the $50 TRW's. Here in Oz from Porsche they are....wait for it....$242!!!!!!

So far all I've been able to locate are UK clubsport TRW versions at $90. My mechanic was happy for me to order these.

I'm still looking....

Simon

[Steve@Rennsport]

Simon:

I wholeheartedly concur with Ralph,..TRW valves are now crap and we won't use them until their QC improves.

Intervalves are OK.

[Carrera3.5L]

Originally posted by drsimonwong
Ralph,

Sounds ideal but I can't convince my mechanic, an old school factory trained (Weissach Germany) technican to use anything other than OEM parts on my (HIS) engine rebuild....

The price of the intervalves at $11 is a big difference to the $50 TRW's. Here in Oz from Porsche they are....wait for it....$242!!!!!!

So far all I've been able to locate are UK clubsport TRW versions at $90. My mechanic was happy for me to order these.

I'm still looking....

Simon

Well, can't help you there if some people resist change and believe that whatever was ideal 20 years ago would still be today. 20 years ago I would have probably agreed with your mechanic...

Intervalves are made in Switzerland (actually made there, not company HQ). TRW used to be made in Germany (and some still are), but I've gotten TRW valves with originating from the Czech Republic & Thailand among others. TRW is now owned by Federal Mogul, a huge conglomerate of companies producing a wide variety of products all over the world.

I used Intervalves in my personal motor and a couple of others and although a few 911 motors doesn't make me an expert on Porsche valves, Steve's opinion should carry some weight...

Have another talk with your mechanic and see if you can get him to at least look at one before nixing the idea...

Ralph

[Jeff Alton]

I hope the Intervalves are OK, there are 12 new ones in my yet to be started motor!! My head rebuilder thought they passed muster...

Cheers

[cstreit]

Good information folks!

[drsimonwong]

Ralph,

Great info. Swiss made carries considerable weighting!!!! Thai on the other hand.....

Simon

[drsimonwong]

Ralph, Steve,

Thanks for the feedback. I explained the situation to my mechanic and the "Swiss" made won the day.

He rang his OEM supplier of TRW to see what the label on the box said about the country of origin and said that he couldn't get a straight answer!

He still prefered the Porsche brand from Germany but gave me the go ahead for the "Swiss made" Exhaust Valves from Intervalves.

We are still going for the Porsche clubsport version of the intake valves as we both like the idea of the lighter Porsche part in this specialized part.

Thanks for the input guys. Hope the Made In Switzerland label is prominent....

Simon

[Carrera3.5L]

Simon,

I just want to clarify that I am not saying that because certain TRW valves may be made in a country(s) that carry dubious reputations for quality that automatically it means that they are poor. Like other new parts, tolerances should be checked before installation and one should not assume that just because it's new it has to be okay.

I source camshaft billets (for a different make than Porsche) and have them finished ground by a supplier tucked away in an area of the world where people would automatically assume the worst but the quality is on par (if not exceeds) the billets I used to buy from German or American suppliers. The reduced cost is just icing on the cake...

I used to believe that everything made in Germany was far superior to anywhere else, but almost 20 years in this industry has opened my eyes somewhat to reality...

Ralph

[drsimonwong]

Ralph,

Workmanship and quality is varied the whole world wide and not dependant on price. What none of us can stomach is the highprice lowquality pairing.

TRW charge a premium price yet have more variation in quality than the lower priced Intervalve. Not ideal is it?!

Thanks for the feedback.
Simon

[afterburn 549]

all I know is this, you can chuck up a brand new TRW in you valve facer and it will not be true !!!! they are great for lawn mowers and such...

[turboteener]

Why hasn't someone talked to SSi, Rev, Supertech, Del West, etc for better quality American made valves? All of these companies make very high quality products.