Hey guys, just want to know what ya'll think about the Crower, Crane, and Mopar valve springs and retainers. Who makes the best in your opinion and from real world usage good or bad. I'm finally putting the race head and slowboy bottom end in my Car, looking for some durable springs and retainers since those are the reason I have to put a new engine in. Anyways lemme know what ya'll think, thanks.

Depends on what type of cams you're planning to go with.

Originally posted by DarkOne
Depends on what type of cams you're planning to go with.

Agreed. What do you mean by "race" head? :wary

Well, I had both crane and crower valve springs and titanium retainers, and the had them both tested. The Crower springs were stiffer, so I had them put in since I had Crower stage 2's. From what I've read, I would go with the crower 2's because they are a pretty good upgraded cam and if you ever go turbo, they are probably the best to go with besides stock. Correct me if I'm wrong though.
~Jeffo


Hey, have you seen my tail lights? Yeah, well get used to looking at them.

Run the Crane Springs with stock retainers.

Originally posted by AFX_Manufacturing
Run the Crane Springs with stock retainers.

What he said. Unless you're spinning crazy high rpms, your stock retainers should be fine.

if you have the cash, go with crower springs, and crower titanium retainers. but if cash is a problem, stock retainers are fine.

don't think you will ever push the limits beyond crane/crower springs and stock retainers. If your stock you don't even notice the difference.

Originally posted by willmayo

Originally posted by AFX_Manufacturing Run the Crane Springs with stock retainers.

What he said. Unless you're spinning crazy high rpms, your stock retainers should be fine.

We actually run the stock retainers on the high RPM engines for a reason. The valves close slower because of the added mass of the retainers.

It was something the cup car engine builders picked up on in NASCAR. The heavier retainers close slower at high RPM's because of the mass. This lets a little more air flow in at higher RPM's where the engine can use it. Darrell Cox was the first one to really try it on the 420A.

aight, I'm just worried about metal fatigue with the stock retainers and them breaking, I know it may sound stupid but I really don't wanna ruin this engine I have going in, since it cost me over $3,000 for everything. Not really trying to spend that again. So it'll be safe to run stock retainers at 7800 RPM with boost ? I dunno, even if the stockers are strong enough, I think I might sacrafice a little power for durablility and peace of mind. I don't think the stock retainers will make that much power over the lighter ones will they ? like maybe 5 or so at the most if even that ? correct me if I'm wrong.

Well this is what my current setup is on my 1997 5 speed Avenger.

Howell AFX Race ECU, CAI, 60mm TB, Crane 0016 cams with Crane springs and stock retainers, PT cruiser Lifters and Rockers, 4-1 Header, high flow cat, Full exhaust, underdrive pulley, and a 160 degree stat.

The engine dropped a valve at about 7700 RPM, dunno if the retainer broke or if the valve bent or broke but I have a nice hole in #1 piston you can see through the spark plug hole. The spark plug looks like someone beat it with a hammer. So I really don't intend on using stock retainers again. I'm slowly getting away from stock everything. As soon as the new head gets here *Ahemm JEFF !!* I didn't know you were on here too. I'll get the car up and running again, and it'll have everything before plus ARP head studs, MLS cometic head gasket, fidanza axles, upgraded clutch, motor mounts, and chassis bracing. That is if the Head ever gets here "Mr. Powellds".

The Head I have coming is being done by Jeff "powellds" on this forum. It is a stock head that has been ported and polished a great deal, then 1mm over sized valves installed, then the whole thing ceramic coated. I called it a "race head" but maybe it's not that wild, although I dunno if there is anything else left to do to it. By the way Jeff, got an update for me ? got any pics of it yet ? Anything ?

I run Crane springs with stock retainers and Crane 0014 cams with out a problem.