I know there are tons of topics about which retainers to get and such, but I was wondering what actually determines the need for aftermarket retainers? Is it mainly on higher rpm motors or do the size of the cam lobes themselves necessitate the need for them? For example with the proper valvesprings and stock cams could you rev to 10k safely on the stock retainers (not that you would need to do that, just an example)?

The reason I ask is because I'm currently running Portflow inners and ITR outers with Skunk stage one cams. Rev limiter is set at 9,000rpms. I know most stock upgrade ECU programs bump it to 9,100rpms so I figure I'm well on the safe side considering I have the Portflow inners. However, I would like to know the safe limit of stock retainers with such at setup, because if the dyno shows that bumping the rev limiter a touch higher could be beneficial with my cams I would do it as long as its far on the side of being safe.

My car sees too many miles to have to worry about swapping to titanium retainers which require frequent check and replacement (15k is frequent to me).

 

bump, I was just wondering the same thing. Been debating between stock retainers cracking vs. titanium retainers galling...

 

i've taken my stock retainers with ITR springs to 9200 many times and havent experienced any problems.. 30k+ on and still strong...

 

what about lets say... toda springs w/ stock retainers on toda's b or c's??

Can the retainer handle it? up to 8.5k? 9k?

I would like to know more aswell.

I hear len uses stock retainers on his Toda Killers pulling it to 10k?

So is it safe then to run them then?

Not to go OT.. but what about rocker wear with large cams.. Toda c's d's, skunk stg3 etc..?


Modified by 00 FBP ItR at 12:40 AM 12/3/2003

 

up for more opinions

 

From my understanding, titanium aftermarket retainers were designed for engines running extremely long duration and high lift up to around the 10k RPM mark. They also help reduce the risk of damage should you over-rev the engine. The majority of the aftermarket retainers that a lot of people see are there for one of two reasons: one is that a company needed to create them to prevent customers from buying their valvetrain from a bunch of different companies, and two is that a company saw a marketing opportunity and wanted to take advantage of it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SilverCIVIC96 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">up for more opinions</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

What one of my concerns is the wear most Titanium retainers have. What I seem to understand though is this is actually what makes them better for really large cams. They'll just wear down instead of crack, you just have to keep a tab on them. Is this correct?

So lets say I ran Titanium retainers with my mild Stage one cams. Would that mean they wouldn't wear as fast if at all?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ActiveAero &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What one of my concerns is the wear most Titanium retainers have. What I seem to understand though is this is actually what makes them better for really large cams. They'll just wear down instead of crack, you just have to keep a tab on them. Is this correct?

So lets say I ran Titanium retainers with my mild Stage one cams. Would that mean they wouldn't wear as fast if at all?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well depends what retainer/spring combo you run.

I think the big issue w/ galling/wear of the retainer is due to improper fitment, which causes the retainer to "move/shift" while the car is running and from that is where the galling comes from.

I have some valvespring/retainers in my sig, that fit very tight they snap together, and I don't see any way that the retainer can "move/shift" b/c on other setups you can "move/shift" the retainer while it sits on the valvespring.

So if you got a tightly fitting combo i would think that wearing would be a lesser issue.

Thats what i figure, but you still should keep and eye on them.
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As for me, premature rocker arm wear is my issue.. any one have problems with rocker arm wear, that is one reason why i'm iffy about getting cams.

So does anybody know if stock retainers can handle toda b/c's w/ toda valve springs?

I'll be pulling it to 9-9500 max.

 

if you can inspect and replace the retainers when they are worn get the ti units.

stock ones work just fine at 9100rpm.

 

Basically, you want Ti retainers to lighten up the valvetrain.

Stock retainers can gall and have a greater chance of breaking at high rpm's imho.

My Ti retainers haven't galled at all. Just make sure you have the correct install height and you're good to go.

 

I have Crower now but have been told that Stock R are sufficient.

 

The need for aftermarket retainers is to withstand greater than stock valvespring pressure, higher rpm's, and well many other things.