Hey guys,

There have been debates on this forum wither or not to run upgraded valve spring retainers when running upgraded valve springs. I know most say just to get them since you’re in there, I agree with this. However for those on budget builds and want to save every penny, think this is an area they can skip without repercussions… Think again!!!

Below are stock Evo IX retainers after 10,000 miles of use with Cosworth High Rev single springs. Not all of them look like this, but all it takes is one to ruin a great day. I would hate to think of the result of long term use. The retainers would be sucked right threw and a much more expensive bill would be the result of going cheap! The sad part is when you call many spring manufactures a lot of them they say you can you the stock retainers with no ill effects. This is wrong! The factory material is not made for the higher spring rates. This is a must when doing valve springs!











Evan Smith

 

Yeah at least you caught it before you had a failure.

 

that's really excessive..how did the retainer fit the spring. Meaning, was it tight or loose in the spring?

 

Well when installed I believe they were snug but not to tight or loose.

 

well..I don't know who makes the single for cosworth. The dual spring kit they sell is and the valves are a Ferrea. So I can't measure the two.

But what your issue looks like the spring was not chamfered(how ever that is spelled) and the retainer fit kind of loose and that is like a file going after the retainer. The retainer should be tight to the spring and the spring should be chamfered at the top to avoid that.

 

They are chamfered, This is from the exessive spring pressure on the retainer. I have the valve springs out as well and I just test fitted them on the spring and they are tight or "snug" but not to the point you cant get it out or to loose to where you can spin.

 

Aren't there supposed to hbe a few more than seven??

 

^^^ Yes if you notice in my post I said all were not like this. They all had scuffing but these were the worst.

 

Ti Retainers FTW!

 

Those stock retainers look beat up....

What size cams were you running?

 

ouch, double ?? on size of cams??

 

Im guessing this is the reasoning behind going to a TI retainer with a stiffer valve spring.

 

you could put 1000lbs on the seat, and it would not wear like that. Pressure does not cause wear, movement does. You can see the movement along the base at the retainer where it was rubbing the inner part of the spring, as well as the top. The ti is good because it was made for the spring your trying to install. As long as the retainer fits snug, material and pressure is not a issue. Looks like it was hitting the guide too..might just be the pic, but there is a ring in the center. Coil bind...no good!

 

So are you saying this is due to improper install? Too agressive cam or rpm for these springs?

I have GSC's 5039 kit w/ stock retainers, I hope mine don't look like this after 10k, cause I don't plan on looking!

What's the springrate on these springs? Or seat pressure or w/e. I'd like to compare it to my setup.

 

The Car is running Cosi M3's.

The motor/head has since been built by Jam.

I have never seen this on a set of TI retainers...