If driven with ITR valvesprings and LMAs on stock GSR or even say a 250/240 11.5/11 profile of cams, how soon should the Ti Retainers be changed out? I am running the skunk2 retainers and I have had them in my motor for 10K already.
I have seen them at 8K and they were mildly scratched where the valvespring sits, however my mechanic looked at them and he said they seemed to be fine. I intend to change them, only I was wondering if anyone has experience with this and when they should be changed as a precaution.

Thanks

 

You may also want to check if the valve/valve keeper is sinking into the retainer.

It's good that you are checking them.

 

thanks rocket, I feel the next set I will have coated with maybe a TiN coating... titanium nitride supposedly reduces friction, heat and galling and should not be too expensive for our application. Also they would have a gold appearance with the new metal joined with the retainer, functional,yet cool too. I can justify spending about 150 for a new set and 150 for the coating if I knew this would illeviate the grief of replacing them every 20K or so... I plan on going in and doing this by 10K before I do my street cam upgrade and I/H/E any input will be appreciated

 

If the springs fit tight on the retainer the retainer will last longer and you'll be able to handle higher rev's with just having a tighter fitting retainer.

Just some food for thought.

 

you can prevent the springs from digging into the titanium retainers and causing wear by chamfering the inner diameter of the inner and outer springs to remove the sharp edges. the outer edge is optional, but i would do it anyways. you also wanna lap the end of the spring so its flat and smooth. you only need to do this to the side that the ti retainers is going on. this is how we prep the springs that uses ti retainers at the shop i work at. i will try to post some pics of my springs so you can see


[Modified by vhd, 3:50 AM 9/13/2002]

 

good information thanks dood