Help me understand the Outside Diameter of Outer Spring on a set of heads

MysteryMachine · Mar 11, 2008

Ok looking on summit for a set of heads for my build. I couldn't see why there was so much different in price so I did the compare option. Everything is the same on all these heads except for the Outside Diameter of Outer Spring. I know some are bigger then other but what is the difference? Which is better then the other? Whats one do compared to another? Does one give you more hp or more lift?

I hope my questions make sense. As mentioned tons of times this is my first time building an engine. I'm learning a lot of stuff and have a lot of people helping me out. I must say a lot of the help I'm getting is out of the kindness of peoples hearts. I haven't really asked people to look up info for me but a few members on here have sent me links and info that they got bored and searched for. Its been a ton of help and I thank you all very much you guys are great.

:SNSign:

Anyway heres the compare page I am talking about.

http://store.summitracing.com/compa...08331+4294840123+115&Nao=10&Ntk=KeywordSearch

Thanks guys!

onlyme · Mar 11, 2008

Hope this helps.

http://www.compcams.com/technical/FAQ/FAQValveSprings.asp

http://cranecams.com/?show=faq&id=5

5spd GT · Mar 11, 2008

Nothing came up with your link

But, with all else being equal, a smaller diameter spring is lighter and allows a little more rev capabilities. The lighter the valvetrain (in general), the less "diameter" valve spring that is offered. There is a lot more to this than that.

A good reason why AFR just went with the 1.290" O.D. spring and the 8mm valves.

MysteryMachine · Mar 12, 2008

ok well beings that didn't work here is the part numbers.

Part #
TFS-53400002
TFS-53400003
TFS-53400001
TFS-5340T004

I just wanna get an idea which head I should get so i know how much money I'm gonna need.

onlyme · Mar 12, 2008

Well as far as I can see the TFS-5340T004 allows for more lift, it allows up to .850" were the other 3 from what i saw are listed at .680" and 1 head was .650" so if your going with a 514, then I'd probably go with the TFS-5340T004 and get a cam well matched to the heads. Just my thoughts.

5spd GT · Mar 12, 2008

onlyme said:
Well as far as I can see the TFS-5340T004 allows for more lift, it allows up to .850" were the other 3 from what i saw are listed at .680" and 1 head was .650" so if your going with a 514, then I'd probably go with the TFS-5340T004 and get a cam well matched to the heads. Just my thoughts.

That is a 290cc head for a 429/460.

MysteryMachine · Mar 12, 2008

5spd GT said:
That is a 290cc head for a 429/460.

ah yeah what should I be looking for then?

5spd GT · Mar 12, 2008

What engine size?
Goals?
Daily driver - Street car - Track car?

MysteryMachine · Mar 12, 2008

514
street, once in a while track.

I would love to DD it but I can't with emissions

5spd GT · Mar 12, 2008

With 514 CI you need to look at heads like you were, or larger.

Anyways, I cannot help you.

I was thinking you were dealing with a 302-427.

Sorry to waste your time! Probably a good idea to check out a BBF forum.

MysteryMachine · Mar 12, 2008

5spd GT said:
With 514 CI you need to look at heads like you were, or larger.

Anyways, I cannot help you.

I was thinking you were dealing with a 302-427.

Sorry to waste your time! Probably a good idea to check out a BBF forum.

dude your totally not wasting my time. your one of the few people on here that when tech stuff is brought up I'm confident that you have an idea of what your talking about. I'm a member of 460ford.com but I know there people on here that when it comes to common stuff like heads will know and give me good answers. I'm not looking for you to be like you need these heads. I just want to know what the diameter has to do with it all. I realize height plays a factor bujt I don't get how round it is makes a difference

onlyme · Mar 13, 2008

Well I found this on Trickflows website according to their valvespring diameter size.

http://www.trickflow.com/egnsearch.asp?N=400098+309227+115+4294788560

Trick Flow Valve Springs
The right springs for your Trick Flow heads.

These Trick Flow valve springs are a larger diameter spring, made to work with higher lift cams, and are stock equipment on your Trick Flow 23 degree heads. They are perfect for use in head rebuilds, or if one of your springs gets damaged.

And according to this site they flow around 334/223cfm

http://www.reincarnation-automotive.com/Flow-comparison-figures-walt-n-nutter-index-1.html

I would get the TFS-5340T004 they allow up to a .850lift with their springs.

From my understanding with engines, is the bigger the engine the more lift it needs. Like a 429/460 wouldn't need as much lift as say a 514, just like a child/person as they grow their lungs grow also. Even with using the same heads the 514 is larger so the more the valve can open the better it can breathe and exhale, but there is also duration and other cam specs to take into consideration as well. Just my 2cents, but hope it helps a little. I'm still learning alot myself.

5spd GT · Mar 13, 2008

MysteryMachine said:
dude your totally not wasting my time. your one of the few people on here that when tech stuff is brought up I'm confident that you have an idea of what your talking about. I'm a member of 460ford.com but I know there people on here that when it comes to common stuff like heads will know and give me good answers. I'm not looking for you to be like you need these heads. I just want to know what the diameter has to do with it all. I realize height plays a factor bujt I don't get how round it is makes a difference

Yeah, there are a lot of factors when it comes to springs. I do not fully understand them all, but many that come to mind are install height, o.d., coil bind point, opening and closing pressures, weight, etc.

My basic guess with the cylinder heads you are looking at is those springs can take much more than most of the 302 cylinder heads, because the 302s simply do not need the amount of spring to deliver the same type of power. The more spring a camshaft needs (typically linear with engine size), the more mass that is typically applied. If you add more mass and "meat" to a spring, I would not be surprised if you see the o.d. of the valve spring increase. Those heads also have dual springs, "per spring." It has to fit them inside...

These are simply "ideas" off the top of my head. Hopefully someone can help you out better with it

Here is a pretty good read on some valve springs I found:

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2007/08/SpringTime/index.php

After you choose a camshaft for the engine, get some valve springs to match. There are a few custom camshaft guys that can give you a recommendation for your cylinder head and camshaft requirements.

Good Luck!

Rick 91GT · Mar 15, 2008

5spd GT said:
Yeah, there are a lot of factors when it comes to springs. I do not fully understand them all, but many that come to mind are install height, o.d., coil bind point, opening and closing pressures, weight, etc.

My basic guess with the cylinder heads you are looking at is those springs can take much more than most of the 302 cylinder heads, because the 302s simply do not need the amount of spring to deliver the same type of power. The more spring a camshaft needs (typically linear with engine size), the more mass that is typically applied. If you add more mass and "meat" to a spring, I would not be surprised if you see the o.d. of the valve spring increase. Those heads also have dual springs, "per spring." It has to fit them inside...

These are simply "ideas" off the top of my head. Hopefully someone can help you out better with it

Here is a pretty good read on some valve springs I found:

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2007/08/SpringTime/index.php

After you choose a camshaft for the engine, get some valve springs to match. There are a few custom camshaft guys that can give you a recommendation for your cylinder head and camshaft requirements.

Good Luck!

I agree with a lot said here, DO NOT get caught up in what theroretical lift they say they take. Springs need to be picked based on the application, how aggressive the lobe is, the weight of the valve train coil bind, installed height etc.. all play a factor. The spring pocket OD and depth will determine how large of a spring you can drop right in using a ID locator, etc

First after you decided on a combo you can get the cam profile worked out, once that is done you can worry about selecting the valve train. The TFS intake works very well on the BB.

While the BB sounds like a great option it really doesn't belong in the front on a FOX or SN series car, the weight is incredible and effects the handling. I know a lot of guys that go that route then swap back to a small block....

Help me understand the Outside Diameter of Outer Spring on a set of heads

MysteryMachine

Active Member

onlyme

Member

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"

MysteryMachine

Active Member

onlyme

Member

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"

MysteryMachine

Active Member

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"

MysteryMachine

Active Member

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"

MysteryMachine

Active Member

onlyme

Member

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"

Rick 91GT

Mustang Master

Similar threads

Help me understand the Outside Diameter of Outer Spring on a set of heads

Active Member

Member

"the 5.0 owns all"

Active Member

Member

"the 5.0 owns all"

Active Member

"the 5.0 owns all"

Active Member

"the 5.0 owns all"

Active Member

Member

"the 5.0 owns all"

Mustang Master

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency