valve springs

[thisisntjared]

Originally Posted by theclencher

I have read that the energy used to compress the valvesprings on the up-ramp of the lobes is returned on the down-ramp.

correct but you dont want that vibration.

[CoyoteX]

finding weaker springs would not be that hard just get the diameter and other specs and compare them to other springs to find what you are looking for. I don't think it will really gain a lot though because the cam has very little friction so practically all of the energy used to compress the spring will go to pushing the cam lobe forward as the spring expands.

Think of it this way the more friction the more wear so other than from lack of oil how many cams fail before 400k miles. on a sb chevy going to a roller cam only gets you a few hp but the steeper ramp rates that rollers can give is what really gets you some extra power. So maybe if you really want to do something nuts get a set of roller lifters off something and weld onto the stock lifters. Set the cam a bit higher so the new lifters match up and away you go

Really the only thing I see with going to smaller springs is that you will lower the rpm where you get valve float and it might be bad enough that you could hit a piston with a valve at some point due to the valve bouncing. Going to a spring that will lower redline from 6000 to 4000 isn't much difference in pressure really. To get significant reduction in friction it would take a roller cam.

[GasSavers_Ryland]

I would say that if you want to make your valve train more efficent, getting titanum valve springs (cryo-tempering might be a good idea, as Ti springs have a shorter life, and in theory it should make them last longer) and titanum valve keepers to reduce the recipricating weight.

how about getting a cam from an xfi? lower valve lift would give you a simaler affect, and more torqe, right?