math class needed on valve springs
 

what is the math formula for a known spring rate to calculate seat and open pressure ?

spring rate is 370lbs @ 1.00"

closed valve spring installed heigh1.780
open valve spring height 2.237

seat pressure ?
open pressure ?

thanks in advance

Re: math class needed on valve springs
 

this might help


https://help.summitracing.com/app/an...ve-spring-rate

Re: math class needed on valve springs
 

If you meant to say "open valve spring height 1.237" then the difference is .543"

370 rate x .543" lift = 200.91 lbs more than whatever you set/start with the installed height at.

You have to have a baseline height/pressure to calculate from, which the spring chart or actual test pressure will provide. That height is a variable based on valve stem length, +/std./- locks & retainers, spring seat machine work, depth of valve job seats.

Re: math class needed on valve springs
 

If you can afford it, this is the cats meow..............


https://static.summitracing.com/glob...-sm-600_ml.jpg
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/l...+5ba26a96cdb6b


Wish I had it years ago!

Re: math class needed on valve springs
 

What is the valve lift on the int. and exh.?. gsa612

Re: math class needed on valve springs
 

If you can find a comparable spring on the PAC Racing site, this link to their spring rate calculator might help.


https://www.racingsprings.com/index..../?sku=PAC-1224


Edit: Change the part number to your match.

Re: math class needed on valve springs
 

The basic formula is F=kX . F is the force , k is the rate , X is the difference in spring height from the length of the spring when it is not loaded .

Re: math class needed on valve springs
 

Is the spring rate 370lbs per inch? Is the installed height 1.780? Open height can't be more than closed, what is the free height of the spring?

Re: math class needed on valve springs
 

This is correct.

To add to above, the spring rate is stated as the force generated per unit of compression. Ex: 1,000 Lbf/Inch, 1,700 N/cm etc.


Also, its spring FORCE, not pressure. Spring pressure is a common misnomer racers seem to always use, and it just wont die. Its entirely wrong. Its not a pressure, Its a force.

Re: math class needed on valve springs
 

.457

Re: math class needed on valve springs
 

this is the spring I am using ,I have a installed height of 1.780 and shooting for a 170 lbs seat pressure with a close to 400lbs open ,the .100 difference should get me there but, I cannot remember the formula that will get me that number ,, its been 5 years since I built the car and my info was given to the previous owners,,
I cant remember for the life of me ,, internet search is coming up short

my lift on the cam is .457

installed Height (in):
1.880 in.
Seat Pressure at Installed Height (lbs):
155 lbs.
Open Height (in):
1.280 in.
Open Pressure (lbs):
377 lbs

Re: math class needed on valve springs
 

Garret -
If you go down .050 (to 1.830) you should have 173 seat, but your open pressure will only be a bit over 340. The 377 is at .600 lift. I believe you will need different springs.
Phil

Re: math class needed on valve springs
 

Your spring info matches the PAC 1220 beehive spring. Is it this type of spring? It sounds like you want to change the rate and pressures of a spring you have to a spring you want and I don't think it works that way. You can change the seat and open pressures by changing the installed height but the spring rate is dialed into the spring in the manufacturing process. This spring installed at 1.780 with a .457 lift would give pressures of 192 and 362. You can tweak out the IS until you have a seat pressure of 170, but the open pressure will move in the same relationship that 192 is to 362. That's the spring rate doing that.

Re: math class needed on valve springs
 

yes,,actually the current spring I run now is Lunati 74820-16 - Lunati Pacaloy Valve Springs that matches the PAC springs,,just getting my numbers so I can check them ,they have been in the car for a couple of seasons

I checked the pressure before I installed them and they where around 170-180 @ 1.780 installed spring height,




the PAC 1220x spring is the next option but it will have to much spring pressure
Installed Height (in):
1.900 in.
Seat Pressure at Installed Height (lbs):
160 lbs.
Open Height (in):
1.250 in.
Open Pressure (lbs):
400 lbs.

thanks for the reply's ,much appreciated !

Re: math class needed on valve springs
 

The Pac 1220X spring shows 160 lbs seat press.at 1.900 and 400 lbs open at 1.250 which is close to coil bind.If you subtract your lift of .450 from the 1.900 your at 1.450 open.That may give you only 360lbs press.You need to find a "short" spring with your low lift that will give you the open pressure your looking for.Even if you do find a long spring that gives you the numbers, but is .300+ from coil bind your going to have valve stability issues. Have you looked into Comp cams ?. gsa612

Re: math class needed on valve springs
 

What's the application here? It doesn't really make sense to talk pressures when we don't know what is being asked of the engine. I run PAC 1427 springs - conical for a BBC - in a SBF with NASCAR type iron heads. Stuff gets mixed up when all you want is GO...


Note: A PAC 1409x at 1.8 will give you pressures of 175/384. I'd give up on a 1.78 IS, it's too hard to shim to. 1.8 or 1.85 are common.


Note 2: What is the seat size?


Ask questions and give info. I didn't so I have 4 sets of springs now............