I am wondering if anyone other than Crower makes Titanium Retainers for b18a1/b motors. I ask for trying to find a cheaper solution.
Other thing I'm wondering is who here actually think Titanium retainers are needed on a nonvtec B18A1 with Crower cams & valve springs. I'm not planning on revving higher than 7200rpm. Some people say it's mostly good for higher rpm applications, and the only reason I'm thinking of getting them is for reliability. I don't know if stock retainers can fail due to the higher forces put on them by the stronger springs & increased lift.

Anyone actually have experience with this? I'm thinking it's not required, as even on crower's website they only recommend springs. I know everything helps and it's worth it to get everything to be safe, but I don't exactly have the largest budget and if I can really do without these safely, I'd much rather put the money towards my headwork. Thanks!

 

Get them. Cheap insurance. AFAIK Portflow also makes titanium retainers, but I don't think they're any cheaper than Crowers. The reason I say get them is I had an ITR retainer fail at 8700 and destroy a nicely built B16. The only thing I was able to keep was my turbo/piping/intake manifold/cams/valvesprings, and 3 pistons, 3 rods, and 12 valves. Everything else was destroyed.

 

But I'm not gonna be revving past 7000rpm (7.2k cutoff)! You really think lower rpms will benefit them? Did your b16a have cams with a lot of lift?