You can buy a tool so you can find TDC, you screw it in were the spark plug goes, and rotate your engine and the tip will stick out and when it starts to go back down, move it back slightly (so it is at the heighest point), and thats TDC, then your valves cannot drop into that cylinder. I hope i explained it so anyone can understand.

 

im installing supertech single springs n retainers just for the peace of mind. hopefully i can do the install myself too

 

where can i buy this tool? im scared to do this haha....im a noob with engine internals.....i have done turbo swaps and stuff but this is crazy. my dad was a mechanic for a long time so im sure he knows how to do that stuff

 

A set of bee hive springs would do fine. Like chad said, it's mainly for the over rev protection. I would recommend the GSC Beehive or FP Beehive springs.

If you need any help, let me know! Thanks!!

Michael

 

yeah i guess im going to do them but if i do springs i should just do retainers too right?

 

If you want to do the extra work, most guys seem to be running beehvie springs on stock retainers with no problems.

 

I put in GSC's 5039 beehive kit when I swapped my HKS 280's out for the kelfords. At the time I was on a stock IX turbo and alky, making decent peak whp but power was fairly dead after 7000rpms. I set the rev limiter at 8200rpms but never hit it, but the car def felt more solid above 7k (prolly more the kelfords thant he springs). When I put the BBK on, I was near 8k before I knew it. The car was up like 80whp at 7500rpms from my previous hks 280/ix turbo setup, it is an insane difference.

However, I am a FIRM believer in doing ONE project at a time. Why rip apart the head when you're doing a turbo upgrade? Either do the springs now or later, but not at the same time as the BBK.

side note: I got the GSC 5039 kit. It's nice cause its a beehive design and uses the stock seats and retainers, nothing fancy and the price is def right. I got them through Modern Automotive Performance for a steal.

 

yeah i hear ya on not doing everything at once. the only problem is the 500 for a tune. i dont want to have to pay twice for a tune because im going to be broke haha.

 

I got mine through Snap-On, but there are several companies that sell the TDC finder.

 

alright ill check it out. if you have a link to it that would be great!...also this is probably a newb question but i was told that if you have valve springs and no retainers you cannot raise the stock rev limiter. is this true?

 

i would like to know this also! i just got springs that reuse the stock retainers

 

im guessing that the springs are for people that dont go past the stock rev limit but want the security of an overrev

 

i too am interested in this. i would like to know what i need to safely be at 8k for a time on the road course

 

hey evo4life, I just joined the site and cannot post in the Market section until I have been a member for a month I guess?

I joined the site to try and find an Evo to buy locally or to trade for my mustang. I have a 2003 Mach 1 with 36K miles and some minor mods. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2528597
E-mail, pics, and info can be seen there. Please e-mail me if you are interested!

 

Not true, you can raise the stock limiter, many have done it, mine is set at 7800 from my tuner. Has been that way for 70k miles.