Anybody run titanium retainers on 12-valve? I'm having my head done right now & didn't know if these are worth the money of not. I have heard that they are not needed under 5000 RPM.

 

I run them in the head That J.R Adkins built for me. He advised them since I will be going over 4500 rpms But from what I have seen they good if you even go over 3500 rpms. I can't remember what I paid for them but I know it was not as much as I thought. You have to have your valves cut to accept the new retainers which J.R can do so I would give him a call and ask some questions. 317-218-3130. His cell phone is kinda acting wierd so leave a message and he will get right back with you.
DM01

 

Titanium retainers are usually not needed until you reach 7,000 rpms and you're trying to shave off thousanths of a second in the 1/4 mile.
But hey, if you got the money put them in.

 

i was running stockers on my truck only to about 4000rpm and i noticed loud valve chadder and three of the valves had started to drop. it was pulling the keepers down through the retainers. it was way to close for me and everyone said not to worry about it. now its titanium for sure. so i would spend the money and not have to worry about. EEP sells some that you dont have to modify the valve ends so you could do this one yourself. just my thoughts anyways.

 

7000 rpm's in a diesel would be insane. I could see how titanium would help in our application. We've already got enough weight in our engines that any little bit off helps. Especially when your taking an engine that's not designed to rev past 3200 rpm up to 5000 rpm.

 

The 7000 rpm's that I mentioned were drag racing applications. Yes, for our Cummins engines it would be insane. But the point is, you don't need expensive Titanium for our engines. Just a good quality alloy steel will work. Your talking about saving 40%of weight over steel. That might be 6 oz's. These engines don't rev enough and have enough cam lobe to worry about tracking properly by using titanium retainers.
In my past (insane) life I built and piloted a 100 cu. in. NITRO fueled Harley down the 1/4 mile. There I hit between 6700 to 7000 rpms on a two cylinder engine! I used titanium everywhere; bolts, axles, valve spring retainers you name it. I spent a fortune and saved about 10 lbs just trying to reduce elapse times. I should have just went on the Atkins diet, but it wasn't invented yet.

 

I figured you were talking about gassers. But I've heard that these engines can see valve float around 4200 rpm. No personal experience, just word of mouth.

 

Keep your $$ like said. A high rev eng. would be mandatory.....if you figure out piston speed at 7000 rpm you will not go there ( on your CTD)

 

Adamlangs,

I've seen them used with acura engines expected to turn 8-10k RPM, but even in that application they needed to be checked regularly, as they were more subject to galling and could wear thin enough to self destruct in 10-20k miles.

To improve this wear problem, manufacturers and those wanting a daily driver started to coat them with nitride to make them less prone to galling, which helped considerably (though I cannot quantify it for you, sorry).

I would be very careful -- since the most common application is racing, and racers are used to regularly examining parts and replacing those which are marginal (between events, etc). Those of us with a daily driver mentality don't want to be forced to watch over things that closely (I suspect).

Unless you have a highly specialized use in mind -- I don't think you'll see any benefit over good steel retainers, and could see a loss of reliability if you're expecting to run 100k+ without fuss (attention).

Not only that, but retainer failures are rather catastrophic...

FYI - Mark
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My retainers make a bigger wedge to put more force on the valve stem to keep them from being pulled through the retainers. I'm also useing valve springs that are good for up to 5k rpms. I would rather spend the extra money now that have to replace a piston when a valve gets droped. At least I don't have to worrie about hearing "I told you so" anytime soon
DM01

 

IMO and only MO, I would run the Titanium keepers if I was using a custom high lift cam associated with cut pistons, OR was planning on turning 4000+ rpm on a regular basis.

Other than that, I would not spend the money. Again, JMO.

 

I think the retainers and valve springs Cummins uses are just fine for high rpm applications.

BUT take high RPM's + 60 psi of boost pushing on the valves then you have a problem.

The guy to get a hold for some moderately priced retainers is Greg Hogue. (Comp461)


Justin

 

haisley also has them they are only $250 i was thinking about putting a set in mine along with some hardened keepers when i install my valve springs