Hi,
I was wondering if anyone is running titanium valves in their street/strip big blocks? I'm making some changes to my 540 and started thinking about titanium valves. They are lighter weight (maybe 40%) than steel and are very strong. Just wondering what the downside might be for a street/strip application outside of the cost? I really like running a solid roller cam, but the springs pressures that often accompany these cams causes concerns for the valvetrain longevity. I've recently sent my Red Zone roller lifters back to Isky to have them converted to the EZ-X roller. I'm already running titanium retainers. I know that there are concerns around galling when using titanium. As I understand it, titanium has great properties for strength but not so much for wear. David Reher wrote a pretty good article on the benefits of using Ti valves, and even went as far as to say that he wouldn't hesitate to run them on a streeet engine. What I find curious/puzzling, is that when you look at Manley's table listing for applications where they recommend a Ti valve, you don't see anything for street/strip applications. Manley seems to favor Ti valves for applications where the RPM peak is over 8,000 and/or for high endurance marine stuff. I'm running a 2.3" intake and 1.9" exhaust. I just checked the springs on my engine using my LSM spring pressure tester. The springs were intalled with 300lbs on the seat. The engine has seen dyno time and some street miles. All of the exhaust springs were 295/300lbs. The intakes were at around 280-285lbs. It seems obvious that the added weight of the intake valve is causing the spring to work harder/fatigue faster.
Thoughts?
Good idea, bad idea?
Intake and exhaust or just intake?
Special valve guides required?
Tip hardening?
Any feedback is appreciated.
I was wondering if anyone is running titanium valves in their street/strip big blocks? I'm making some changes to my 540 and started thinking about titanium valves. They are lighter weight (maybe 40%) than steel and are very strong. Just wondering what the downside might be for a street/strip application outside of the cost? I really like running a solid roller cam, but the springs pressures that often accompany these cams causes concerns for the valvetrain longevity. I've recently sent my Red Zone roller lifters back to Isky to have them converted to the EZ-X roller. I'm already running titanium retainers. I know that there are concerns around galling when using titanium. As I understand it, titanium has great properties for strength but not so much for wear. David Reher wrote a pretty good article on the benefits of using Ti valves, and even went as far as to say that he wouldn't hesitate to run them on a streeet engine. What I find curious/puzzling, is that when you look at Manley's table listing for applications where they recommend a Ti valve, you don't see anything for street/strip applications. Manley seems to favor Ti valves for applications where the RPM peak is over 8,000 and/or for high endurance marine stuff. I'm running a 2.3" intake and 1.9" exhaust. I just checked the springs on my engine using my LSM spring pressure tester. The springs were intalled with 300lbs on the seat. The engine has seen dyno time and some street miles. All of the exhaust springs were 295/300lbs. The intakes were at around 280-285lbs. It seems obvious that the added weight of the intake valve is causing the spring to work harder/fatigue faster.
Thoughts?
Good idea, bad idea?
Intake and exhaust or just intake?
Special valve guides required?
Tip hardening?
Any feedback is appreciated.