Anyone still use titanium valve spring retainers?

[Cranky]

Was wondering since there are now steel ones out there that are nearly as light....

 

[mmissile]

Serious stuff, requires the lightest valve-trains.

 

[1967coronet440]

Titanium is still preferred I believe, I know trick flow offers their heads with titanium retainers

 

[Cranky]

Serious stuff, requires the lightest valve-trains.

How bout using them with a fairly mild cam to help make things a bit lighter but valve size and weight are still in the stock range for a big block?

 

[mmissile]

Any help of removing weight, adds to stability.

 

[MOPOWER871]

In a serious blown application, light weight valvetrain is a must if you don't want to be floating your valves. Titanium retainers, keepers,smaller than stock size valve stems diameter all save weight. I never skimp out on valvetrain components it will bite ya in the *** every time.

 

[cryplydog]

How bout using them with a fairly mild cam to help make things a bit lighter but valve size and weight are still in the stock range for a big block?

I purchased a set of lightweight tool steel retainers and keepers thinking the same thing but when I weighed them on the electronic gram scales they were just dang near as heavy as the stock equipment. I was pissed of course because I spent a lot of money for weight reduction and got basically none, although I installed them because of the stronger/better material and the promise of longevity I will use the titanium next time and get a better weight reduction. I also used Trend pushrods that were a dab lighter and their H-13 tool steel solid lifters at the same time and they came in about 73 grams as opposed to the 113grams of the others so I was happy with that alone I guess and made a big difference in the valvetrain rpm limits. Cranky, I figured instead of changing to new springs on new 75cc. RPM's I would lighten up the afore mentioned without having to respring also. I compare Dims. and weigh the piss out of everything for comparison. Oh yeah, I commonly let it go out to 6300 with a comp xs268s, pulled hard and wanted more with the Eddy #5792 springs and no shimming. I drove the piss out of it all summer and is tore down now and a 512-B is going back in and I am going to use the same springs as they all tested ok but I may decide shim just a little.

 

[cudatom]

Was wondering since there are now steel ones out there that are nearly as light....

After having a tool steel one fail thats all I use on any of my builds.

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

Now they are using radial keepers as well. Tity retainers are cheap insurance!

 

[451Mopar]

Been using Ti on the Higher HP engines with cam durations over 240 @ 0.050".
The cost of the Ti retainers seems to be about $100 more than the light weight tool steel retainers, but really I haven't looked at the selection in the tool steel retainers. I had a hard time finding +0.100" Ti retainers for the PAC-1325 springs. I used some from Crower that worked good and the price was not that bad. The new Victor heads have the stiffer PAC-1326 springs, and retainers and locators from PAC also. The Trick Flow 240 for the current build have the TI retainers that comes with the heads?

 

[lewtot184]

lightening up moving parts is good but lobe profile is probably the main contributor to valve train instability.

 

[bobtile]

I have them on my engine now.
But we all know that will never be running.

 

[2quick]

Just bought a set of unknown brand octagon shaped Ti Retainers with holes drilled around the top and Ti locks. They came as a package deal on a set of CT 1574 ML Dual (PSI) springs I bought on fleabay. Said they were only used for a dyno test and I saved about 200 bucks from what this stuff would cost new, so who knows! They will be used on a .262 @ .050 dur .645 lift roller...I also had concerns about longevity but it seems others are having good luck with them.

Anyone know what brand retainers these may be?

 

[mmissile]

lightening up moving parts is good but lobe profile is probably the main contributor to valve train instability.

New cam profiles have eliminated a bunch of that erratic stuff. Some people still like running that old crap, though. My cam guy/engine-builder is really on top of that R&D stuff. It's SO important with a hemi.

 

[Cranky]

I have them on my engine now.
But we all know that will never be running.

I know that feeling. I have an engine that's been on a stand for quite awhile now. It was built for another vehicle that got sold and seems like every time I start working on my Belvedere, something else gets in the way.

 

[Cranky]

Just bought a set of unknown brand octagon shaped Ti Retainers with holes drilled around the top and Ti locks. They came as a package deal on a set of CT 1574 ML Dual (PSI) springs I bought on fleabay. Said they were only used for a dyno test and I saved about 200 bucks from what this stuff would cost new, so who knows! They will be used on a .262 @ .050 dur .645 lift roller...I also had concerns about longevity but it seems others are having good luck with them.

Anyone know what brand retainers these may be?

View attachment 539587

Seeing those is a first for me!

 

[2quick]

Seeing those is a first for me!

I was told the holes are there to get oil down in between the springs in return reducing friction between the springs and therefore reducing heat. Who knows if it actually helps.

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

Just bought a set of unknown brand octagon shaped Ti Retainers with holes drilled around the top and Ti locks. They came as a package deal on a set of CT 1574 ML Dual (PSI) springs I bought on fleabay. Said they were only used for a dyno test and I saved about 200 bucks from what this stuff would cost new, so who knows! They will be used on a .262 @ .050 dur .645 lift roller...I also had concerns about longevity but it seems others are having good luck with them.

Anyone know what brand retainers these may be?

View attachment 539587

I would still throw them in the spring pressure tester to insure the spec! Must degree the cam.make sure the valves seat right and geometry is on the money!!

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

Even though a valve says is is 5/16,,,the stem van vary.The 1st set I ordered was .308 when I needed .310,then went to radial locks.

 

[Cranky]

Even though a valve says is is 5/16,,,the stem van vary.The 1st set I ordered was .308 when I needed .310,then went to radial locks.

Need to check EVERYTHING! I learned that early on in my machinist career. Your best friend can machine something for ya but that doesn't guarantee squat. Everyone makes mistakes and misreading a mic isn't hard to do....and even misreading a digital mic happens.