Stud girdle opinions?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 266
From: Central Wisconsin
Stud girdle opinions?
I have a pair of Harland Sharp stud girdles which a guy threw in for free on a parts deal. I'm building a 383 stroker full roller motor for my 73. Should I use them? Is it worth the trouble of finding the right length polylocks for them? I already have tall covers. I don't plan on doing any racing unless some import punk aggravates me at a stop light. Should I just sell them?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
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I like using them..but I spank stuff pretty hard. Especially with aluminum heads.
But again...if not using aggressive parts really no need for them...but they certainly won't hurt anything either.
JIM
But again...if not using aggressive parts really no need for them...but they certainly won't hurt anything either.
JIM
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I never leave home without my crane gold stud girdle
You are always having benefits from better valve control. What is your stud size and closed and open valve spring pressure
You are always having benefits from better valve control. What is your stud size and closed and open valve spring pressure
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,170
From: Hermosa
Other things come into play for valve train stability other than lift and RPM. How aggressive the lobes are on the cam, how much spring pressure is being used, using 3/8" vs 7/16" rocker studs. Springs have resonance frequencies, if the RPM level resonates with the spring frequencies that is when loss of valve control is likely to happen, add in rocker and or rocker stud flex and it can create some real problems with valve control.
More valve train stability is better than less.
On my last engine my valve train started loosing control around 5000 RPM with roller tip rockers. That being said, I upgraded to 7/16" studs with full roller rockers and have not had a problem since.
More valve train stability is better than less.
On my last engine my valve train started loosing control around 5000 RPM with roller tip rockers. That being said, I upgraded to 7/16" studs with full roller rockers and have not had a problem since.
Last edited by REELAV8R; Jul 30, 2017 at 08:42 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,170
From: Hermosa
.530 lift cam
spring pressure 150,375 lbs.
7/16" studs
spring pressure 150,375 lbs.
7/16" studs
.549 lift
145 closed 361 open
7/16" studs
6400 RPM limit
No loss of control with this config on an AFR 180 head. I don't think you need the stud girdle. I guess if I had them and I was running tall valve covers I would go ahead and put them on. I'm running stock height valve covers so I was looking for a solution that allowed me to continue to run them.
Last edited by REELAV8R; Jul 30, 2017 at 02:15 PM.