AHarada

iTrader: (2)

I read through this great thread about beehive springs.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/advanced-...-lift-etc.html

Towards the bottom of the first post, there are examples of weight savings using beehive springs, lightweight valves, retainers, and keepers/locks.

Does anyone know what the actual weights of these components are on LS1 parts?

I'm debating on whether to use titanium retainers and locks with beehive springs, but it seems like LS1 steel valvetrain parts are fairly lightweight to begin with.

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

The titanium parts are more than just marginally lighter. Holding them in your hand they feel like they weigh as much as plastic molded into the same shape. Its a good difference in weight.

Mart00SS

iTrader: (19)

So, you may ask yourself, well, what can I do? The choices become pretty slim. You can upgrade to a a comp 977 with a Comp R lifter with .010 pre-load. You can run 918's or some equivilant spring with the stock lifters and run a risk of breaking the springs.


So from reading his thread, If you use a stock lifter, ti retainers, and 918's the weight of the valve train is too much and you might break the springs???

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

Yeah, I didnt walk away from that thread with a warm fuzzy. I ran 918's with a TI retainer on 2 of my own cars that got fed a few cams a piece. Never did I have a spring break.

Mart00SS

iTrader: (19)

Yea I Plan on using a set of 918's with Ti retainers on a tr224. Honestly I feel its a good comparison write up but the critical parts as far as weight is concerned are on the other side of the rocker, Since these will have the greatest distance to travel and then change direction.

AHarada

iTrader: (2)

Here's an update. I got a good deal on Comp Cams 10 degree titanium retainers 794-16 and Comp cams 10 degree valve locks 632-16. Also picked up a set of PAC-1518 nitrided beehive springs. I measured them on a postal scale as that is the only scale that I have. It may not be accurate to the gram, but it gives an idea of the weight differences.

Stock LS1 steel retainers x 8
85g

Comp Cams 10 degree titanium retainers 794-16 x 8
57g

Stock LS1 beehive springs (gray springs from L33 243 heads) x 8
640g

PAC-1518 nitrided beehive springs
584g

Stock LS1 valve locks x 16
17g

Comp Cams 10 degree valve locks (steel) x 16
57g



As you can see from the pic, the 10 degree locks from Comp Cams are quite a bit larger than the stock ones, and more than 3 times the weight as well. This negates some of the weight savings of the titanium retainers, so the 7 degree setup would be better unless there is really a need for 10 degree locks.

Will any company's 10 degree locks work in these retainers as long as they are for 8mm valve stems? I want to get a set of titanium 10 degree locks to keep the weight down. I believe Manley makes a set of titanium 10 degree locks. They say they are for .315" diameter valve stems.

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

Why did you go with 10 degree locks? I would stick with steel locks on a street driven car. Your new setup is actually heavier then the stock steel retainers and locks. Valve spring weight is taken out as the spring compresses so that isn't as big a difference.

AHarada

iTrader: (2)

The only reason I got this setup, was because I got a really good deal on ebay. I couldn't find any info on the weight before I ordered them. If I had known about the very heavy locks, I would've either waited for 7 degree or left it stock.