Upgrading Valve Springs on AFR 185's...sigh...

ImportEater98

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#1

• Jan 3, 2007

• #1

Hey folks....looking for some real answers here. I have scoured the net trying to find a solution to an apparent common problem with AFR valve springs. Back when i bought my 185's i declined the spring upgrade as my cam was a meager .512"/.512" lift. I i have just installed my new hydraulic roller cam (.598/.596) that is just too big for the springs to handle. I am all ready to install stronger springs, but i can't find any that are a direct replacement. The only solution to this is FTI's drop in valve springs. Only problem there is i have emailed and never got a response, and there is no number to call Ed directly. The worst part about it, is i could literally drive 1/2 hour to where he is and pick them up, but i don't know where his shop is. Anyways...without using FTI's springs, or sending the heads back to afr for a $400 valve/spring/retainer/machine work upgrade...do i have any possible options? The springs COMP spec.'d for the cam are #987s, but the inside diameter isn't large enough to accomidate AFR's retainers.....UGH! Help! Does anyone have a REAL solution for my problem? Thanks a lot for any info!

 

Kumm3

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#2

• Jan 3, 2007

• #2

Im going through a similar problem, only i PAID for the upgrade when i bought them 3 years ago.

blew up a piston, and had to rebuild one sylinders worth of springs, etc.

Lo and behold, after buying the replacement upgrade parts, i find out i never got the upgrade i paid for, still had the normal springs in there.

great news when im running a .565/.574 lift in a high RPM application.

If you can get a hold of Ed, def do that, its the cheap way out.

ill be sending my heads to the machine shop to have them recut the seats to fit the 1.55" spring.

 

txstang84

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#3

• Jan 3, 2007

• #3

I believe comp 987's are a drop in replacement, but I'm not sure-have you talked to a local machinist?

 

ImportEater98

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#4

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• #4

from what i hear, the I.D. of the 987s are a little too small for the 10 degree retainers AFR uses.....man i wish i could get a hold of Ed.....sigh.....

 

1

1SLO306

My 97 GTP owns you ALL!

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#5

• Jan 3, 2007

• #5

yeah if u would have did the spring upgrade from AFR it would have been a waste cause they only hold .550 so dont be mad at urself over that lol

 

D

Daggar

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#6

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Contact Rick at RNH. His link is in my sig. He'll be able to tell you what and where to get them.

 

txstang84

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#7

• Jan 3, 2007

• #7

damn....

987's are doubles right? I figured that there would be another recess for double's in the retainers?

Just really quick: Do you have reliefs big enough for that lift?

 

Grn92LX

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#8

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• #8

Just wait for FTI and get his drop in replacements.

 

ImportEater98

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#9

• Jan 3, 2007

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Grn92LX said:

Just wait for FTI and get his drop in replacements.

Click to expand...

I really want to go that route, but if i can't reach him through email than there is nothing else i can do....this really stinks because i have everything else that is stalled right now because i can't go any further without the new springs.

Someone had asked me about valve reliefs. I have aftermarket forged pistons with oversized reliefs that are ready for big lift.

 

txstang84

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#10

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sorry dude, had to ask...

 

2

2KsilverGT

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#11

• Jan 3, 2007

• #11

Are you willing to yank the heads off? I bought and installed the AFR upgrades for my 185's. Quick trip to the machine shop will take care of the spring pockets...

 

ImportEater98

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#12

• Jan 4, 2007

• #12

Heads are off the car, but i'm trying to do this with no machine work....machine work always turns into hundreds of dollars in my book!

 

1

1SLO306

My 97 GTP owns you ALL!

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Muhlenberg, ky

Jan 4, 2007

#13

• Jan 4, 2007

• #13

ImportEater98 said:

Heads are off the car, but i'm trying to do this with no machine work....machine work always turns into hundreds of dollars in my book!

Click to expand...

yup will prolly thin the wallet quite a bit. here are all AFR valve springs that i could find. they go up to 840 lift lol
http://www.airflowresearch.com/valve_spec.php

 

ImportEater98

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#14

• Jan 4, 2007

• #14

thanks for the info my friend.....but i think anything afr sells as an upgraded spring requires a longer valve....jeesh, thanks a lot AFR.....

 

Rick 91GT

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#15

• Jan 4, 2007

• #15

I assume you haven't heard from Ed yet? I can call him on his "bat phone" I assume you looking for the PS3 valve springs and the Viton retainers. Ed's a busy man and he was at PRI a few weeks back, plus the holiday so things I am sure are crazy, this time of year is always busy.

I can get the parts for you... contact me directly Rick91GT@suscom.net

The AFR upgrade is as stated above, longer valves, different retainers, etc... I prefer Ed's drop in upgrade.

 

ImportEater98

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#16

• Jan 4, 2007

• #16

Rick 91GT said:

I assume you haven't heard from Ed yet? I can call him on his "bat phone" I assume you looking for the PS3 valve springs and the Viton retainers. Ed's a busy man and he was at PRI a few weeks back, plus the holiday so things I am sure are crazy, this time of year is always busy.

I can get the parts for you... contact me directly Rick91GT@suscom.net

The AFR upgrade is as stated above, longer valves, different retainers, etc... I prefer Ed's drop in upgrade.

Click to expand...

Thanks Rick....email sent to you!

 

D

Daggar

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#17

• Jan 4, 2007

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See there? Nobody ever listens. lol

 

ImportEater98

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#18

• Jan 5, 2007

• #18

Daggar said:

See there? Nobody ever listens. lol

Click to expand...

I listened Dagger! Rick is going to set me up with the right stuff I need. Thank God for the few knowlegable, helpful people on here that go the extra mile for someone they don't even know! Thanks for EVERYONE'S help that responded to my post!