Titanium Valves Allowed in S/S?

[Ed Carpenter]

If we keep going like this why don't we just say run whatever you want and NHRA can just check cubic inches. I'll say it again Comp here we come. I predict after this gets thru aluminum heads are next.

[Jeff Lee]

Originally Posted by deuces wild

If we keep going like this why don't we just say run whatever you want and NHRA can just check cubic inches. I'll say it again Comp here we come. I predict after this gets thru aluminum heads are next.

The argument will be..."since we have to change all the seats to match these valves and these heads are so old...blah, blah, blah"

[Stick Racing]

If I were to build say a BBC, I would call Comp Cams. I believe they would tell me I need a 55mm camshaft in this engine because it would flex less than the standard camshaft because of the spring pressure I will be using. Then I would send the block to a machine shop to have the lifter bores machined to accept a Chrysler lifter because the std GM diameter lifters don't seem to have the life of the larger bores. A set of .165 pushrods are recommended for strength also. I would call T&D or Jesel for a rockershaft system because the old Crane rockers and a stud girdle just won't last. . Now I have all these special parts and machine work to prevent flex in my valvetrain but am not allow to use a slightly lighter valve of the same dimensions in those highly modified heads. That makes sense.

I have a friend who runs a 69 Chevelle with a 500ci motor and a stick. 3300lbs. He has run a Jerico transmission, and for many years run a paddle clutch with 2500lb pp. He has never broke a transmission in almost 15 years. How? He replaces the transmission EVERY year.
If Barton never broke a valve it may be because he replaces them at every rebuild-which is what 25 runs in those cars?

I'm the guy who refuses to put a clutchless transmission in his car because I feel it's takes away from what a SS car should be. But I'll put titanium valves in my engine in a heartbeat. Any guys that feel different, put a 8000 chip in your 2-step and push the gas petal to the floor and hold it there. Thats what a stick car does on the starting line.

I vote YES.
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Andy Stone 1102 A/S 1112 SS/C

[junior barns]

Originally Posted by Stick Racing

If I were to build say a BBC, I would call Comp Cams. I believe they would tell me I need a 55mm camshaft in this engine because it would flex less than the standard camshaft because of the spring pressure I will be using. Then I would send the block to a machine shop to have the lifter bores machined to accept a Chrysler lifter because the std GM diameter lifters don't seem to have the life of the larger bores. A set of .165 pushrods are recommended for strength also. I would call T&D or Jesel for a rockershaft system because the old Crane rockers and a stud girdle just won't last. . Now I have all these special parts and machine work to prevent flex in my valvetrain but am not allow to use a slightly lighter valve of the same dimensions in those highly modified heads. That makes sense.

I have a friend who runs a 69 Chevelle with a 500ci motor and a stick. 3300lbs. He has run a Jerico transmission, and for many years run a paddle clutch with 2500lb pp. He has never broke a transmission in almost 15 years. How? He replaces the transmission EVERY year.
If Barton never broke a valve it may be because he replaces them at every rebuild-which is what 25 runs in those cars?

I'm the guy who refuses to put a clutchless transmission in his car because I feel it's takes away from what a SS car should be. But I'll put titanium valves in my engine in a heartbeat. Any guys that feel different, put a 8000 chip in your 2-step and push the gas petal to the floor and hold it there. Thats what a stick car does on the starting line.

I vote YES.
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Andy Stone 1102 A/S 1112 SS/C

8000 rpm????????

[Jeff Lee]

Since BBC are not my realm, I consulted with somebody that really knows these things. Regarding a Super Stock BBC, he told me the aluminum BBC heads (401?) could outflow the capabilities of the 2.19 valves; i.e., the valve is the restriction, not the ports. So adding a Ti valve, while not being larger, would certainly add 500 or so RPM. And that is where the benefit is. The "cork" can now cycle many more times down the track. He thought the 396/375 would really like this option.
We also discussed my 2.02" intake 390. His opinion was the valve was probably light enough and the heads don't flow enough; in other words the flow numbers of the head are more closely correlated than in comparison to the BBC.
So that gives some insight as to who or what can benefit the most from such a change

[Stick Racing]

Originally Posted by junior barns

8000 rpm????????

Go to the track and watch Jimmy Bridges make a run then report back to me.



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Andy Stone 1102 A/S 1112 SS/C

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Stick Racing

Go to the track and watch Jimmy Bridges make a run then report back to me.



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Andy Stone 1102 A/S 1112 SS/C

I haven't asked Jimmy, have you asked him how he feels about titanium valves?

[Ed Wright]

I can afford them and they would extend my valve spring life, but this stuff has to stop some place.

[Stick Racing]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

I haven't asked Jimmy, have you asked him how he feels about titanium valves?

No I haven't. I met Jimmy some years ago at the Dutch through a friend who bought a set of heads from him. I believe he was trying to set the record at that time in the Corvette. I was on the starting line when he made a couple of passes and I thought that was an awful lot of RPMs for a big block.

Don't get me wrong-its obvious the steel valves will work. Even at the high RPMS. It;s my opinion that if titanium valves were legal, maybe the valve train would last longer.

Funny, I never heard anyone complain about titanium axles in a rear....


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Andy Stone 1102 A/S 1112 SS/C

[Pvt Parts]

Originally Posted by Stick Racing

Go to the track and watch Jimmy Bridges make a run then report back to me.



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Andy Stone 1102 A/S 1112 SS/C

Here's one for ya..... When I raced my SS cars out of Jimmy's shop in the late 1980's I was driving the SS/K Chev II and Jimmy was driving my SS/L Chev II. One year at the Gators I told Jimmy to take the high end chip out of the MSD and leave wide open. I told him that I'd been driving the K car like that for a couple of months. We were leaving the starting line wide open at 10,200. Jimmy drove the L car to the semis.