How many miles on your titanium retainers?

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Sep 10, 2006 | 07:59 PM

vettenuts

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From: At the beach in little Rhody

How many miles on your titanium retainers?

I read a post today that is a little contrary to everything I have seen prior on the longevity of the titanium retainers we use on our valve springs. I am just curious how many miles people have on their retainers and if they have shown any wear (assuming you have looked).

Sep 10, 2006 | 08:05 PM

SteveDoten

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From: Farmington CT

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I also found that post alarming, goes against the 'norm'

Sep 10, 2006 | 08:21 PM

vettenuts

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From: At the beach in little Rhody

I saw your reply, and have since done a search on the internet. The only place I found it discussed was under NASCAR conditions. While a street driven car will put on a lot more miles, it won't all be at 9K RPM. I have a feeling when others see that post, there is going to be some "intense" discussion. That's why I posted here, I wanted to see if anyone has had a problem. I have been on this forum for 8 years, I have never seen anyone post a problem with a titanium retainer and I would think the head vendors would provide a warning of some type if it was an issue.

Sep 10, 2006 | 09:35 PM

Dan_the_C5_Man

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I'm running Ti's, but I'd like to read the post in question before responding; link please?

Nevermind, I see it - http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=573171

I'm sure this is true, Ti is softer than steel, no doubt. I would think as spring pressure and cam acceleration rates go up, so does wear..

I'm not worried with my LPE GT2-3 and 918's, but others running a more radical set up might need to periodically inspect.. I have noticed wear marks on mine..

Last edited by Dan_the_C5_Man; Sep 10, 2006 at 09:56 PM.

Sep 10, 2006 | 09:49 PM

Y2Kvert4me

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From: Gone

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St. Jude Donor '03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan_the_C5_Man

I'm running Ti's, but I'd like to read the post in question before responding; link please?

http://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=573171

Sep 11, 2006 | 05:47 AM

vettenuts

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From: At the beach in little Rhody

I had to go over to Bobistheoilguy.com and retrieve my numbers, but my most recent oil change came up with Titanium = 0 for oil analysis. I will check them at the spring change. I really wonder how many people look at their retainers for this issue if and when they do valve springs.

Sep 11, 2006 | 07:28 AM

RedHotZO6

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From: Houston TX

I had 941 type springs with an inner damper and they ate into the retainer about .040" to .050" deep after 20,000 miles or so. With 918 beehive springs, I don't think it will be an issue since they do not use an inner flat damper spring.

If you run a spring with an inner damper (a straight spring), I would inspect them regularly.

Paul

Sep 11, 2006 | 11:41 AM

vettenuts

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From: At the beach in little Rhody

Thanks for the update. I did look out at some of the sites that do coatings for NASCAR on the titanium retainers, and it was in fact the inner section that wore through first according to what I found. I have to check David Vizard's book also, I think he discusses this with regards to center spring damper/inner spring.