Couple questions.

I am rebuilding the valvetrain in my car, and I was wanting to get some advice. If you can answer any of the questions, feel free to just hit that one. I would like to have a discussion instead of just an answer.

Valves:
What makes the rev faster in the valvetrain? I mean that a lightweight valve is going to have faster movement than a steel one right? Which would be better for the street, titanium or stainless steel?

Roller Rockers:
I was looking at getting the pro magnum roller rockers for comp cams. Are these worth it? They claim 5% lighter than aluminum and the last thing that I learned was every little bit counts.

Lifters:
Are there any better roller lifters than the others? All the ones that I looked at appeared to have the same lightweight claim. Will a lightweight lifter be able to with stand .560" lift without collapsing? If so, for how long?

Timing chains and gears:
I have read that the Lunati double timing set with the torrington bearings frees up 10-15hp for about $80. That is a good price for a double roller plus the "10-15hp" if that is even true.

Springs:
I know that I will need to change the springs, but which ones should I get? Comp 987 or what? I need to be able to get .560" lift.

Thanks guys and gals

 

1.) The cam lobe alone determines valve motion velocity. Valvetrain mass determines how much spring rate you need to prevent valve float at whatever max RPM you're setting up for. Lighter valves and retainers need less valve spring rate to keep them in control at high revs. Titanium valves are big-time expensive and overkill for street/strip useage, I like Manley Race-Flo valves for a good compromise between weight and cost.

2.) Comp Pro-Magnum rockers are a great investment in my experience.

3.) I'm running 0.563" lift on stock GM roller lifters, the LS1 guys seem to be able to get away with it. Comp-R lifters have a decent reputation, but I had one break on me so I don't quite trust them any more. Valvespring rate comes into play here...run heavy valves + retainers, want to rev it high, you need big spring rate...which will punish the lifters. A rev kit will let you reduce valvespring rate and still keep the lifter body planted against the cam lobe.

4.) I use Cloyes Tru-Roller double chains. If you're using a GM block machined for roller lifters, the Torrington bearing w/ the Lunati kit is not very useful.

5.) Valvesprings are selected according to what cam you're using. You can shave some weight off the valvetrain by using Titanium retainers (extra $100 or so) instead of steel retainers.

So..research your valves and cam first. When your cam is selected, ask the manufacturer which valvesprings they recommend, and if you can opt for Titanium retainers.

 

Just to be sure, when I say rev, I mean faster revs, not high. Daily drivers don't need more than 5500 or 6000 rpm. They just need to get off the line.

I am going to be running the lingenfelter 219/219 cam (also from Accel, same thing), so I don't need to worry about keeping the rev in control. I will call and ask them, but you know most companies will tell you that you need to run their products, and sometimes there are better ones out there.

I will ask them what springs that they suggest, but will keep options open incase anyone else would like to reply also.

I was looking at the manley race-flo valves, but I just wasn't sure if I needed the lightweight titanium, etc.

 

ttt

No one else has any opinions? Last time I checked, most people have opinions that they share when people don't ask it..........well, I asking now.

Seriously, does anyone have anything else to add in?

 

ok I know a lot of people worry about valve train weight. But in my experience I would Go with the CompCams Pro Magnum, Or the Crower which are the people that originally designed that rocker arm, I have personally seen the aluminum rockers Including Harland Sharps Flex and crack where the rocker narrows coming up from the Bearings it rotates on. (It didn't break) But it could of cost me my Motor.

Stock Engine aluminum would be fine. A fast reving, High Spring rate, Stout Street engine should use The Crower or Comp Cams Pro Magnum is what I would Run.

 

Comp 987 springs work great with the 219 cam. That's what I used when I had the 219 cam along with titanium retainers and 10 degree valve locks.

I also run Comp 'R' roller lifters, haven't had any troubles with them. But I've read about some who had problems with them. If you don't plan on revving over 6k then the stock type roller lifters will do fine. If you do decide to get the Comp R's, lifter preload is no more than 1/4 turn after zero lash!

 

Thanks guys, that's the stuff that I was looking for.