Titanium Valve Springs (Drag Racing Hardcore Use Only $$)
Titanium valve springs when used with titanium valves and valve retainers require less spring power in order to prevent valve float at high engine RPM's. Titanium valve springs can be used without incurring a weight penalty, this reduced mass and inertia increases the natural frequency of the spring. A higher natural frequency has a better dynamic response at the high RPM’s of performance engines. The use of lower spring loads with lighter valves reduces the friction of the valve system which is typically about 20 to 25% of the total mechanical friction of an engine. Titanium has a lower torsional modulus than steel, in other words it is more springy. Titanium valve springs are designed with a slightly larger wire but fewer coils. This will allow a titanium valve spring to have more available travel than a steel spring of the same free length and rate. When you have a valve spring and valve with more travel it allows the opportunity for more valve lift, and combined with the right cylinder head port confiquration allow more flow which will create higher horsepower.
Titanium valve springs are designed with more conservative stress parameters which makes the springs more resistant to take a set, even at elevated temperatures. The properties of a titanium valve spring yield a spring that won’t loose its seat pressure a quickly as steel valve springs. A titanium valve springs cost more than a steel valve spring but in the long run titanium valve springs are also a better value, they will last 5 to 7 times longer. A typical steel valve spring including heavy duty types will begin to take set during a burnout. Where as a titanium spring will last between 10 and 20 runs.