It's kind of hard to see but the valve broke right where the keepers/retainer meet... if you look closely enough you can see a teardrop shape around the valve like it just pulled apart...

Motor was a 84mm B17, B16 head with Supertech valves/springs and Ti retainers that i just bought 3 months ago...

Just thought id share my Supertech experiences and see if anyone else has seen a failure like this?

No i did not 3>2 shift it, this happened at about 9300-9500rpm in 2nd gear at about 350whp or so.....





Im sure there are going to be some people saying how their supertech valves are doing just fine but from what i have seen and who i have talked to sounds like they break quite often... Ferrea valves will be my next purchase....

The head is pretty much toast, the piston where the valve broke is pretty much toast, the block has some nice scratches in it and well im really hoping it didnt take the turbo out...

 

Valves can fail or break. It happens to the best of them. I have had Supertech valves bend and not break. I have had 2 week old Ferrea valves break and destroy a new motor.

Not trying to be insensitive because my stomach cringes every time I see carnage pics. I know the feeling all too well.

If you dig deep enough you will find dirt on every part. No valve is infallable, unfortunately lol.

 

That is the weakest point of any valve.

Any other specs? What cam are you using? Spring rate?

 

Yeah i agree with you.. i cringe when i see them too...

It just really sucks because its not like i can blame myself for it like if i did a 3>2 shift or something.. It just happened.. Bad luck i guess lol...

Im just trying to see if anyone else had a failure like this.. im not sure id call it a common failure?

 

Possible valve float or too tight of valve lash..

 

I agree, it is the thinnest part of the valve..so it would be weak there, but its alot harder to Pull something apart than it is to bend it?

ITR cams, spring rate i am not sure about but i would think the highest ones then have?

 

There were probably a few things that contributed...out of control valve and keeper digging into the valve. When you take the rest of them apart, check to see if they "stick" or if the keeper releases easily with little pressure. It the stuff was in control and happy it should slip right apart with little effort.

Next time try the Ferrea valve locks (Part # K10034). They make a world of difference in my opinion.

 

I will try that when i finish taking it all apart.. Thanks for the info...

Right now my main concern is if the turbo got killed or not ...

 

I had supertech valves on my car and they bend at dyno! Valves were brand new. Car was making around 600whp when they failed! I replaced them with ferrea and made close to 800hp and never had a problem. I know a few people that had same problem with supertech valves! And they all switched to ferrea valves!

 

Have thesprings tested for pressure against STs spec, but with where and how they broke... Looks like RPM killed it.


I have ferreas due to all the ST horror stories I heard. I agree if you dig youll find dirt on everything, but you hear it about ST valves alot more....IMO, and from what ive seen. I know more than a couple people that ave ad their motors ruined from them. I dont know anyone that has had a Ferrea f their motor up.

Their springs and retainers are solid, but Ive run Ferrea and never had a issue. Its not like its a v2v or p2v issue here... The valve FAILED...

 

Yeah i am going to have the seat pressure checked before i even try and use these again...

I agree, to me looks like the valve failed but im no head expert...

 

bummer,i guess you're out from ifo now ehh

 

bummer man, hope to see your car on the road again soon!

 

now you have an excuse to build it better. is that mikeys old motor?

 

Were running a car right now making 1000+ whp and run supertech Springs and retainers with BC0013 Cams. No issues here.

 

Yep its mikeys old motor! Did nothing to it, other than change oil and all that stuff...

 

damn, since day one, he has had problems with that head. its an old endyn head, right?

 

What kind of supertech valves were those? I noticed they have a few different types online.

 

You running ST valves too??? The springs and retainers Ive never seen issues with.

 

we ran the same set of st valves/springs for two seasons, making power in sig. not one problem

 

No this is a stock B16 head that he put on After the endyn head...


The endyn head was well kind of the machine shops issue originally then he found out the valve seats had cracks in them.. i might be picking up that head tho, and changing out the valve seats.. Depends on if its cheaper to buy a used complete head or changing the valve seats in that one...?

It sounds like the ST valves are like Stock motors, people make power on them and other break em lol

 

I have a completely stock head from Thuc that I've had for a couple years and just haven't found it's way back to him. Get a hold of him if your interested. I'll meet you whenever.

 

B16 or GSR?

I need a B16

 

B16a2. He's busy with his s2k now so not in a hurry to get it back from me haha.

 

Yessir! I am running their valves as well sorry I didnt state that before.