An upcoming engine build....and a little game...

[olddog]

With Titanium valves and retainers on a short stroke small block, I honestly thought you were building for at least 10K rpm. So at 7K, I will stick with my original numbers.

I have Edelbrock performer rpm heads. I didn't build the engine so I do not know what was done to them, but I do know the intake port and exhaust ports perfectly match the gaskets. I have assumed the springs are as shipped. I try to keep it under 6K normally, as I want it to last. I did wind it to the rev limit (7K) in 3rd gear to see where it would loose it. It pulled strong all the way without any sign of valve float. Oh yea, it does have aluminum roller rockers. My point, I do not think you need Titanium to get to 7K.

So I'm wondering if there is some learning here for me. Although I know my engine can go to 7K, I have no idea if the springs look like they are about to go into orbit. That longevity thing is the reason I keep it under 6K. So is the reason for the Titanium so the engine can run 7K all day long, day after day, and live a long life?

[blykins]

Any time you can cut weight off the inside of an engine, it's going to be better for it. Lighter pistons and rods are easier on the crankshaft, block, and bearings. Lighter valvetrain requires less spring pressure for a given rpm.

This is essentially a max-effort engine build, but we have rules to follow.

We have to use stamped steel factory rocker arms. They can break and the rocker pivot balls can burn up. To counteract this, we have the rockers cryogenically treated and REM polished. We have tins that redirect any oil splash back to the rocker arm. We also try to run a minimum spring pressure....enough to keep from losing control of the valvetrain, but not enough to break factory rocker arms.

When the valves are light, springs are light, retainers are light, etc., then you effectively need less spring pressure.

The intake valve weighs 68g. Exhaust valve weighs 63. Titanium beehive retainer is feather-weight. It all adds up.

We simply can't turn 9000-10000 rpm with this setup and do it reliably. If there were no rules, then I'd be using T&D or Jesel shaft rocker arms, steel camshaft with DLC coated tool steel lifters, etc.

[olddog]

Oh that explains it.

Hopefully all that information wasn't already in the thread. I do forget things now and then.