Raptor Cam and lifters

[Frallan]

That is a very generalized question and answer.
Maybe it could apply to the same style of retainer for a specific manufacturer.
Aluminium has lower density than titanium but you need a lot thicker design to do the the same work.

Now I have a very small and extremly light titanium retainer for my spring.

If we involve longevity, I know we are in to even another consideration and I know very well my preference.
Now an Alumec of 7075-T6 retainer with a quality anodize will be OK but still I doubt close to steel or titanium.

My point, I think you need to involve design as comparative factor.
Do not choose by weight only.

[Shag55]

Agreed!

[JS]

Very true Frallan. Of the retainers that JPM supply, alu is the one with less weight as far as I know.

[Frallan]

Just as an example:

Ti retainer and single spring good for 9000 rpm on a steel 50 mm valve with 7 mm stem.
The retainer weighs 3 grams.

[pupjoint]

street driving, titanium is more suitable i suppose.

 

[Shag55]

Aluminum is lighter but in the long run the Taitanium is better. Also the design makes a difference.
They also have Taitanium pushrods!

[Johannes Persson]

Hi There,

I just want to clarify one thing.
Alumec should not be mixed with 7075, Alumec is far stronger than 7075 but with the same density as 7075.
7075 is also known as Dural aluminum.

The wear of the retainer is in proportion to: spring pressure, valve lift and rpm.
If you are running a light valve train and therefor less spring pressure the life span of Alumec retainer is very long.


Best Regards
Johannes Persson

[Frallan]

Thanks Johannes!
That kind of just proves my point even more.
I am not trying to say that a steel, titanium or different alumnium retainer is better than another.

What weighs the least is a generalized question. Could be OK if it is only for curiousity but not if it is for the information of choice.

Design, material, intended purpose and limits, budget, what are the other components it will work with in combination and so on.
Do not choose components without having your full spectra of usage clear to you, to begin with.

Furthermore you point out that material are also very different in same category. A specific steel or alumnium can also behave very different depending on heat treatment.
A steel retainer can be stock stamped cheap steel or a high tensile nice radius macined and tempered quality steel.  They both work very well if used for their designed and chosen purpose.

[Frallan]

Now an Alumec of 7075-T6 retainer with a quality anodize will be OK but still I doubt close to steel or titanium.

Johannes, I was re-reading my post and I know what you got caught on now. The spelling is wrong.
The word is not "of", it is "or".
Sorry for that confusion.

So what I am saying is that I was not mixing the two materials.
In fact I would like to add that 7075 (nor any other heat treated or tempered material) should never be discussed in isolation. It should always be folllowed by its treated form.
A 7075-T3 or 7075-T6 are also very different materials in terms how they behave.
I have never worked myself with Alumec but I remember very well maybe 15 years ago talking to Per Bengtsson and he praised it like a new religion.