Upgrading to Titanium Valves?

[leec]

I've got a pair of Comp eliminator heads that have 46x38 stainless valves. The inlet valve feels particularly heavy and titanium valves have been suggested to lighten the valve train.

My main concern is cost!! On a race only motor (2276cc, FK89, 12.5:1) are they necessary?

Have no knowledge of ti valves so any advice appreciated.

Lee

[Fiatdude]

Lee --- When you move to Ti valves, it is usually to remove mass/weight from from valve train. And usually the only time you start needing to do that is when you really start winding up the RPMs of your engine. everybody has the magic RPM above which Ti is recommended (7500 up generally, but this is dependent on valve size/weight and just how agressive the ramps are on your cam and type of springs you have). Some people only run Ti for the intake valves, because they are bigger/heavier.

Another valve material is inconel which is light weight also and not quite so pricey, they can fill that middle RPM range up to about 8-8500 RPM.

A few people have been shopping the NASCAR racing teams web sites and buying used Ti valves from them (valves are ran for only one race then replaced) and cutting them down to fit. which can result in some price savings.

Harold

[Greg G]

With the springs available now, I don't think you need to go to a Ti valve unless you are shifting above 8,500 rpm and have a valve bigger than 46mm.

[leec]

With the springs available now, I don't think you need to go to a Ti valve unless you are shifting above 8,500 rpm and have a valve bigger than 46mm.

That's interesting, what springs would you recommend with a comp eliminator head?

Lee

[Fiatdude]

PSI -- Shag (SL-1 Racing) has a hook-up for them I believe (909-816-2647)

[Greg G]

just about all the good head shops can set you up with a PSI spring package depending on what valve length you have.

[leec]

Just seen on vwparts.net that CB Performance do titanium valves for $82 each.
Does anyone have experience with these?

Lee

[Mike Lawless]

Yep. I've been running the CB Ti valves for a few years now along with K800 springs on Comp E's. I run the motor to about 8400 rpm thru the traps. The springs last all year and really don't lose that much seat pressure. I have them installed at 1.800 and the lift at the valve is .650". I also use lash caps. It's been rock solid reliable.

The CB Ti valves are a very good value in my opinion

[K-Roc]

I agree Mike, Zero problems with them.

If you plan to put a fair amount of street miles on the Ti Valves I would also be looking at Alu- Bronze valve seats.

K-Roc

[leec]

Great, thanks guys.

Mike, what retainers do you use with them? I'm assuming you run titanium exhaust too?

Lee

[K-Roc]

The CB Ti retainer they sell works great with the K800 and will give you maximum installed height.

[Mike Lawless]

What K-Roc said. I run the Ti retainers from CB along with the keepers that have the recess for lash caps. And Ti valves, both intake and exhaust.

On steel seats running methanol, the valve faces do get beat up after a while. I typically have my heads tuned up once a year. I'm at the point now where I will need to replace the valves after several seasons and several facings as the margins are getting thin. These valve could be cut down on the diameters to a smaller size and used for a while longer too

[leec]

Thank you for the help and advice guys.

Lee