I searched.... for days before I got up the courage to post this.

For starters I am sort of on a budget and trying to squeeze a few more HP out of my LS/V.

CTR intake cam and valvetrain are the next mods.

I just have the stock '00 b16 cams/valvetrain for now and came across some skunk2 tuner series valve springs for a decent price. Is it necessary to go with the matching Ti retainers for the springs, or can I just use the OEM steel retainers?

I am not so much worried about valvetrain weight as I am the wearability of the Ti retainers that I keep hearing so much about. Also the s2 springs were the same price as new ITR springs if you were wondering why I just didn't go that route. Plus I will end up ditching the CTR intake cam for a nice set of "stage 2ish" cams in the future.

Thanx!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wascly &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am not so much worried about valvetrain weight as I am the wearability of the Ti retainers that I keep hearing so much about. </TD></TR></TABLE>


Bandwagon bullshit. There are too many different grades of Ti to make any generalized statements about their strength/quality/longevity.

I used JG Ti retainers once and they were horribly soft. I almost immediately discarded them in favor of Skunk2 Ti retainers, which I've been using for 2 years now and they still look new. No signs of keeper pull-through. Not even any scuffs. I really beat the hell out of them when I'm attempting to remove them with my home-made valve spring compressor, and they don't even scratch or scuff. They literally look brand new.

Plus, Skunk2 retainers are the lightest ones I've encountered. Mine (d-series) only weigh 3.5 - 3.6 grams.

 

you may use oem steel retainers.. you are correct about wear as the steel ones do not wear like ti.


shawn