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So whats the lowdown on Titanium thats available? Are they durable for a street motor? Do any of the big brands carry them (i know manley does ti valves) ? Im guessing theres a significant weight savings in pushrods too if they were titanium.
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Ti pushrods make more sense than Ti valves, but even then, the benefit per $ is way down.
Ti exhaust valves have a half-life of about 30 minutes, and even the intakes have to be changed very frequently.
Titanium exhibits lots of "creep"....something that the SS and nickel alloys commonly used for valves don't.
If you need that last 100rpm, have a sponsor with deep pockets, and don't mind rebuilding the heads every 500 miles, Ti valves makes a great addition to your signature.
For the rest of us, they are pie in the sky.
I believe the LS7 has Ti intake valves, so they must be somewhat durable if done right. I'd think hollow stem intake and sodium filled exhaust would be good light enough. Ferrea makes/sells 'em.
Was wondering because the ls7 does use them. also uses ti pushrods i think. I already have ti retainers and Ti locks so was wondering where i can lose some more weight in the valvetrain.
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by vader86
Titanium would be good for retainers
That's one of the things I like about beehive springs. Although ti retainers are available for them, I didn't buy them due to the cost. However, the retainers are so much smaller for beehives, that even the chromemoly retainers are much lighter than comparable retainers for conventional springs. You really can't beat beehives if you don't need double (or more) springs.
Was wondering because the ls7 does use them. also uses ti pushrods i think. I already have ti retainers and Ti locks so was wondering where i can lose some more weight in the valvetrain.
The LS7 uses Ti intake valves and Ti *connecting* rods