The V8 Owners Forum -

Hi all..

I need some advice. I need 16 retainers my new rover v8 head projeckt (7,9mm valve stem)
My local "motorsport" dealer has got 3 (4) type of retainers to suit my valves/keepers and spring.
Aluminium, Chrome-moly and also std steel type retainer.
Witch one is the best for fast street car?
Aluminium is light, but soft? Keepers can sink to retainer?
Std type is good for any tuned engine?
What about Chrome-moly? Any experience? Are they lighter that std type? What about durability vs std type?
Price is almoust same those 3 types.. About 10£ difference?

I use real steel valve spring, 1coil less than std? And also slightly more pressure?

Titanium retainers is also available, but price is enormous +100£

IMHO aluminium has no place on a road engine as it takes far too much maintenance ensuring that they are still intact. Cant really comment on the chrome molly ones, maybe someone else has experience. Going by your spring choice your not using a huge cam so not revving mega high. This would rule out the titanium even if you did want to spend the money. They wouldn't do any harm being in there but I don't think worth the cost as you have pointed out. This leaves the steel ones which if I am right about your cam will be fine in your engine. Unless someone knows a good reason to use the chrome molly ones I would say stick with steel.

My cam is kent H214 and maybe in future some solid cam? Maybe this? http://www.v8tuner.co.uk/product.php?id=65

And maxium revs 5500 or 6000rpm (never higher that 6000rpm)

Crome-moly and std steel ones price inc keepers is 53£ inc vat.
Ally ones is +10£ high-priced..
Titanium is near of 150£

If you shop around you can get ti retainers at sensible money. Take these top of the range Manley ti nascar retainers. Retail is normally around $400. These ones happened to be the same sizes as dual spring retainers for an RV8. Surplus to requirements the are unused and just one of a few sets the team sold on ebay for $99. Post was only $10 (not suprisingly when you feel how much they weigh) and on this occasion i didnt get taxed at all. At the mo i dont plan on using them for my racing engine but i'll probably use them in another 3.9 i'm building.

That's a great idea! Nice thinking there!

(steals)