Conclusion and Discussion
Recall that this is all in relation to a hydraulic lifter system-a solid roller system tends to have different requirements for controlled operation. There are no definitive answers that I can espouse here. These rules of thumb all have an exception in some situations and configurations and are generalized to what we most often see in our valvetrain testing.
Lighter system components tend to perform better.
The natural frequency of the system, and especially the spring, is far more important than the spring closed and open load.
More mass may be required for strength, but it may have an adverse effect on your system stability. Typically if the lighter components operate in a controlled manner, they will be "stronger" than heavier components operating out of control.
Single beehive springs tend to offer better dynamics because they do not have a single natural frequency.
More spring load may help, but you can go too far. Too much spring load on a hydraulic system could adversely affect the lifter because it does not stay "pumped up," causing slack, or lash, in the system.
In closing, the most important thought out of this article is that the valvetrain is a system-changing one thing could drastically change its operation. And something like a valvespring that works in one system may not work in another. Good luck!
| TEST COMPONENTS |
| Components | C1-0405 | C1-0410 |
| Camshaft | | HR1027 |
| Springs | | PSI-LS 1511 |
| Rockers | | 12579617 |
| Retainers | | KAT-4678 |
| Keepers | | 12596508 |
| Exhaust Valves | GM 12578455 | Solid Inconel steel |
| Valve Masses | 71g | 98g |