Help With Choosing Valves for Stroker Build... - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

S3XPanther · 07-21-2012, 01:16 AM

I'm in the very early stages of researching and deciding what to include in my 416 stroker build and I'd really appreciate any feedback you guys could give me on choosing the right valves (Titanium, Hollow, or Plain Stainless).

I know that the LS3 comes with hollow stem valves stock, and that those valves aren't too bad, however, I want something stronger, A LOT stronger. I plan on keeping the 416 NA for a while and that means I'd like to run a fairly large cam. With that said, I'd hate to have to purchase a new motor after suffering a catastrophic failure from a dropped valve that couldn't handle the stress of the big cam. So what does everyone think? Titanium, hollow, or plain stainless Manley valves? Also, I don't plan on spinning it all the way to 7k (or at least I don't think so at the moment).

Additional info: I'm going with either WCCH or Mast for the heads if that matters. Maybe I should just put in a call to Richard at WCCH and see what he says?

At any rate, thanks for any help guys.

Bo White · 07-21-2012, 01:20 AM

For one I would recommend a Ferrea valve.
Titanium is OK for durability as long as its got a quality coating on it and not used in a DD environment. Solid is heavy and durable but hollow is lighter and going aftermarket will be more durable than OEM.

S3XPanther · 07-21-2012, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bo White

For one I would recommend a Ferrea valve.
Titanium is OK for durability as long as its got a quality coating on it and not used in a DD environment. Solid is heavy and durable but hollow is lighter and going aftermarket will be more durable than OEM.

I see all these high hp builds running hollow valves, probably because they're spinning the motor real good, but what about long term durability with hollow valves? I've head that with an aggressive enough cam, a hollow valve is prone to breaking due to how fast it's being open and shut. Any truth to this?

S3XPanther · 07-21-2012, 01:31 AM

What about Rev valves? I see WCCH uses them regularly and I believe they're plain SS solid stem.

S3XPanther · 07-21-2012, 06:34 PM

Bump

Higgs Boson · 07-21-2012, 07:45 PM

if you dropped a valve, are you sure the valve was the cause of failure and not a spring or a retainer? I've never heard of a valve just breaking without being subject to some violent external force......

all you are looking at for valves is the shape and the weight, basically. light for high rpms and shape can affect flow.

S3XPanther · 07-22-2012, 12:46 AM

I never dropped a valve, I'm just trying my best to mitigate the chance of that happening on my future build. Hollow stem it is then? I was kind of set on going with LS9 style titanium valves, but apparently those aren't long enough. I could just have Ferrea just make me a custom set if you feel that would be the best route.

S3XPanther · 07-22-2012, 12:46 AM

And thank you Higgs

nighttowl · 07-22-2012, 12:55 AM

ive seen hollow valves broken off at the head before with the rest of the stem intact. its not common, but it does happen.

only the intake valves are hollow according to the gm performance catalog.

S3XPanther · 07-22-2012, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nighttowl

ive seen hollow valves broken off at the head before with the rest of the stem intact. its not common, but it does happen.

only the intake valves are hollow according to the gm performance catalog.

I heard the same thing about the hollow valves as well. I'm using Tapatalk now, so I can't see your mods nightowl. If I'm not mistaken you're cammed as well, correct? Are you running the stock valves?

nighttowl · 07-22-2012, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S3XPanther

I heard the same thing about the hollow valves as well. I'm using Tapatalk now, so I can't see your mods nightowl. If I'm not mistaken you're cammed as well, correct? Are you running the stock valves?

im running the gmpp cnc heads and valves. they have the hollow intakes also. i was concerned about it at first, but then i figured there are hundreds of thousands of these engines out there with hollow valves, and the amount of failures is very low. every failure i uncovered was on a cammed car though. i only found failures due to broken springs on the new camaros. the popped valves i found were on caddy's and corvettes.

S3XPanther · 07-22-2012, 01:12 AM

Yea lol, springs are another concern

Thought about nitrided springs, but I think I'll go with plain comp double springs suited to the cam.

I see what you're saying about the valves, I think I know the specific threads you're talking about. I'll do some more research and discuss things further with my builder.

07-21-2012, 01:16 AM	#1
S3XPanther by Odeon Drives: '12 SS/RS A6 IOM SOLD, '13 1LE IOM Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Good question Posts: 1,707	Help With Choosing Valves for Stroker Build... I'm in the very early stages of researching and deciding what to include in my 416 stroker build and I'd really appreciate any feedback you guys could give me on choosing the right valves (Titanium, Hollow, or Plain Stainless). I know that the LS3 comes with hollow stem valves stock, and that those valves aren't too bad, however, I want something stronger, A LOT stronger. I plan on keeping the 416 NA for a while and that means I'd like to run a fairly large cam. With that said, I'd hate to have to purchase a new motor after suffering a catastrophic failure from a dropped valve that couldn't handle the stress of the big cam. So what does everyone think? Titanium, hollow, or plain stainless Manley valves? Also, I don't plan on spinning it all the way to 7k (or at least I don't think so at the moment). Additional info: I'm going with either WCCH or Mast for the heads if that matters. Maybe I should just put in a call to Richard at WCCH and see what he says? At any rate, thanks for any help guys. __________________ "It works 60% of the time, every time." "Some say it's a waste of time, others say it's an incredible waste of time." "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." 2013 IOM SS/RS - 1LE. Born 5/6/2013 (1 of 32 1SS IOM 1LE's)

07-21-2012, 01:20 AM	#2
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,019	For one I would recommend a Ferrea valve. Titanium is OK for durability as long as its got a quality coating on it and not used in a DD environment. Solid is heavy and durable but hollow is lighter and going aftermarket will be more durable than OEM. __________________ Retired wanna be cylinder head porter 2015 2SS 1LE Clutch reservoir, Vararam DRX, ported TB, TSP 2" headers, MGW shifter Totalled: 2010 1SS Wilkes Performance/Eagle 416 shortblock, TSP custom valvetrain, PRC 260 heads, Edelbrock Pro Flo 102, th400 swap, 8" PTC 5500 stall= 535/435 at the wheels tuned Gen 3 Performance and Dyno 10.97 @ 124 full weight in 3100 DA CamaroFest X

07-21-2012, 01:31 AM	#4
S3XPanther by Odeon Drives: '12 SS/RS A6 IOM SOLD, '13 1LE IOM Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Good question Posts: 1,707	What about Rev valves? I see WCCH uses them regularly and I believe they're plain SS solid stem. __________________ "It works 60% of the time, every time." "Some say it's a waste of time, others say it's an incredible waste of time." "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." 2013 IOM SS/RS - 1LE. Born 5/6/2013 (1 of 32 1SS IOM 1LE's)

07-21-2012, 06:34 PM	#5
S3XPanther by Odeon Drives: '12 SS/RS A6 IOM SOLD, '13 1LE IOM Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Good question Posts: 1,707	Bump __________________ "It works 60% of the time, every time." "Some say it's a waste of time, others say it's an incredible waste of time." "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." 2013 IOM SS/RS - 1LE. Born 5/6/2013 (1 of 32 1SS IOM 1LE's)

07-22-2012, 12:46 AM	#7
S3XPanther by Odeon Drives: '12 SS/RS A6 IOM SOLD, '13 1LE IOM Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Good question Posts: 1,707	I never dropped a valve, I'm just trying my best to mitigate the chance of that happening on my future build. Hollow stem it is then? I was kind of set on going with LS9 style titanium valves, but apparently those aren't long enough. I could just have Ferrea just make me a custom set if you feel that would be the best route. __________________ "It works 60% of the time, every time." "Some say it's a waste of time, others say it's an incredible waste of time." "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." 2013 IOM SS/RS - 1LE. Born 5/6/2013 (1 of 32 1SS IOM 1LE's)

07-21-2012, 07:45 PM	#6
Higgs Boson Perpetual Order Drives: indeed Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 1,277	if you dropped a valve, are you sure the valve was the cause of failure and not a spring or a retainer? I've never heard of a valve just breaking without being subject to some violent external force...... all you are looking at for valves is the shape and the weight, basically. light for high rpms and shape can affect flow.

07-22-2012, 12:46 AM	#8
S3XPanther by Odeon Drives: '12 SS/RS A6 IOM SOLD, '13 1LE IOM Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Good question Posts: 1,707	And thank you Higgs __________________ "It works 60% of the time, every time." "Some say it's a waste of time, others say it's an incredible waste of time." "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." 2013 IOM SS/RS - 1LE. Born 5/6/2013 (1 of 32 1SS IOM 1LE's)

07-22-2012, 12:55 AM	#9
nighttowl Sarcasm loading -------- Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: TX Posts: 1,808 View My Garage	ive seen hollow valves broken off at the head before with the rest of the stem intact. its not common, but it does happen. only the intake valves are hollow according to the gm performance catalog. __________________ "The salesman actually told me to stop getting it sideways during the test drive" 2018 MBM ZL1 1LE - Stock 2014 CRT ZL1 574 rwhp, 537 rwtq - SOLD 2010 IBM SS Camaro VVT L99 w/ TR6060 swap, 489 rwhp, 444 rwtq - SOLD

07-22-2012, 01:12 AM	#12
S3XPanther by Odeon Drives: '12 SS/RS A6 IOM SOLD, '13 1LE IOM Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Good question Posts: 1,707	Yea lol, springs are another concern Thought about nitrided springs, but I think I'll go with plain comp double springs suited to the cam. I see what you're saying about the valves, I think I know the specific threads you're talking about. I'll do some more research and discuss things further with my builder. __________________ "It works 60% of the time, every time." "Some say it's a waste of time, others say it's an incredible waste of time." "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." 2013 IOM SS/RS - 1LE. Born 5/6/2013 (1 of 32 1SS IOM 1LE's)