Well do people commonly install valve springs with the head still on? Ive heard that for each cylinder the piston needs to be at TDC so valves dont fall in. Maybe ill do the FP red with stock cams. Ive seen good results there..

 

You can if you pressurize the cylinder you are working on. This will prevent the valve from dropping. There are a few other ways such as moving the piston to the top or the old nylon rope trick.

 

I am satisfied with my Tomei Poncam Type-R 270 with stock springs.

But when head is open, I will definitely upgrade the springs (or cams too).

GSC has stock replacement seats and mild springs (5039) that are compatible with stock retainers, so unless going to high rpm / boost with aggressive lift cams, these parts might be a good option.

BTW, I didn't see difference by using GSC zero-tick lifters in terms of valve train noise when low oil pressure, I recommend clean stock lifters with diesel fuel as service manual suggests and reuse them.

 

good read

 

Ive been running cosworth m2's in my 9 for a few years now, stock springs and I take it to 7800. They're coming out now for an upgrade and I will do kiggly beehives with the new s3 cams.
But yes u can do springs with the head still on the car, I've done it many times. I use my cylinder leak down tester and apply 100psi in the cylinder and change them out. Make sure u plug any holes leading to the block, those keepers can be squirmy at times. Goodluck!

 

Thanks for the helpful info everyone. I plan to rev to 8000 with this turbo im getting.. Still Kelfords or Cosworth M2's? I worry that may be too aggressive of a cam with that high of rpm

 

How do you find the HKS 272s i am thinking of them myself?