Titanium Valves Allowed in S/S?

David Barton · 09-15-2010, 11:54 AM

I'm not sure how many people are aware of this but there are some engine builders out there requesting to have titanium valves legalized in Super Stock.

How do the rest of you feel about this? I think it ruins everything Super Stock is about. If you want titanium valves go to a different class.

Here is the letter we wrote to NHRA to have this stopped. If you agree and also want to protect the originality of Super Stock, please write NHRA more letters.

September 9, 2010

Bob Lang, Director
366 Easton Road
Warrington, PA 18976
Ph: (215) 343-2558
Fax (215) 343-0159
blang@nhra.com

Dear Bob,
While I was in Indianapolis for the NHRA US Nationals I was told by reliable sources within the NHRA organization, that a few racers and engine builders are requesting that Titanium valves be made legal in Super Stock eliminator. I would like to go on the record as being strenuously opposed to a change in the rule regarding valve material in SS Eliminator. We need to maintain some degree of integrity with the original engines that the SS classes are based on. Let’s remember that this isn’t Comp, or Pro Stock and there is no need to unnecessarily increase the cost to the competitors, any further. Currently our legal, custom made, Stainless Steel valves are approximately $25 each. Titanium valves for a Hemi® that have all the “bells and whistles” are at least $145 each. When you multiply this by sixteen it raises the cost of the engine by $1,920, without spares! This added expense is totally uncalled for!
I have about twenty SS/AH customers and collectively we have not broken a valve in 6 years, even though some of them run up to 9800 RPM. If other Super Stockers are having valve problems, the proper response from the Tech Department should be that they need to fix their valve train, redesign their camshaft, or operate at a lower RPM range. I have asked all of my customers for their opinion, and no one wants to see this change made to the rules. If we legislate away the current problem for the complaining parties, instead of forcing them to improve their combination, it will only be a short time until they reach the next “stumbling block” and request another rules change.
Sincerely,
Ray Barton

09-15-2010, 11:54 AM	#1
David Barton Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 199 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Titanium Valves Allowed in S/S? I'm not sure how many people are aware of this but there are some engine builders out there requesting to have titanium valves legalized in Super Stock. How do the rest of you feel about this? I think it ruins everything Super Stock is about. If you want titanium valves go to a different class. Here is the letter we wrote to NHRA to have this stopped. If you agree and also want to protect the originality of Super Stock, please write NHRA more letters. September 9, 2010 Bob Lang, Director 366 Easton Road Warrington, PA 18976 Ph: (215) 343-2558 Fax (215) 343-0159 blang@nhra.com Dear Bob, While I was in Indianapolis for the NHRA US Nationals I was told by reliable sources within the NHRA organization, that a few racers and engine builders are requesting that Titanium valves be made legal in Super Stock eliminator. I would like to go on the record as being strenuously opposed to a change in the rule regarding valve material in SS Eliminator. We need to maintain some degree of integrity with the original engines that the SS classes are based on. Let’s remember that this isn’t Comp, or Pro Stock and there is no need to unnecessarily increase the cost to the competitors, any further. Currently our legal, custom made, Stainless Steel valves are approximately $25 each. Titanium valves for a Hemi® that have all the “bells and whistles” are at least $145 each. When you multiply this by sixteen it raises the cost of the engine by $1,920, without spares! This added expense is totally uncalled for! I have about twenty SS/AH customers and collectively we have not broken a valve in 6 years, even though some of them run up to 9800 RPM. If other Super Stockers are having valve problems, the proper response from the Tech Department should be that they need to fix their valve train, redesign their camshaft, or operate at a lower RPM range. I have asked all of my customers for their opinion, and no one wants to see this change made to the rules. If we legislate away the current problem for the complaining parties, instead of forcing them to improve their combination, it will only be a short time until they reach the next “stumbling block” and request another rules change. Sincerely, Ray Barton