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CRANECAMS.COM 33 4 About Valve Sprin gs Valve springs are at least as important as any other major per formance com- ponent in an engine; yet, they are probably the most misunderstood and neglected. Incorrect or worn valve springs cause conditions that are often misdiagnosed as fuel or ignition prob- lems. When all of the fuel and ignition system components have been replaced; and the “gremlins” are still in the engine, chances are the valve springs are either set up at the wrong tension, worn out, or just the wrong spring for the cam profile. This last fac- tor is often the most puzzling, yet offers the greatest chance for signifi- cant improvements in engine perfor- mance. Due to their highly stressed design (valve springs are coiled from specially heat-treated, super-clean, super- sophisticated alloys of steel), valve springs have several critical characteris- tics that are generally called “resonant frequency” or “natural harmonics”. These are similar to those of a lead crystal goblet. By sounding a specific frequency musical note, the goblet will shatter . An undampened valve spring run at steady speed at its natural fre- quency will either self-destruct or lose enough of its strength and tension that it can no longer properly control the valve action. At Crane, we design springs to maxi- mize the performance of Crane Cams. In doing so, we put the resonant fre- quency outside of the intended operat- ing range of the spring. This is not always the case, especially with springs produced by the OE manufacturers for production vehicles. For years, especially before onboard computers, valve springs were used as “rev-limiters” to help the OE manufac- turers in their efforts to minimize war- ranty problems caused by over-enthu- siastic drivers. These springs usually had a resonant frequency located somewhere in the 4400-5200 RPM range. When a vehicle was accelerated, the engine would rev through the low end and mid-range perfectly until the engine speed hit somewhere in the 4400-5200 RPM range. Then it would either just stop pulling or the engine would start misfiring badly. This was typically diagnosed as a fuel or ignition problem when, in actuality, it was the factory’s valve spring resonant frequen- cy helping protect the engine. A good set of valve springs, even on an otherwise stock engine, will usually provide a significant performance improvement throughout the RPM range as well as a marked improve- ment in fuel economy , smoother idle, improved cold start, and better cold weather dri veability . What is most important is selecting a valve spring with the correct seat pres- sure, open pressure, and spring rate for the camshaft in the engine. At Crane Cams, we constantly test and evaluate various cam lobe profiles vs. spring combinations, so that we can give you the right spring recommendations for your cam. However, with over 80,000 profiles in our camshaft lobe library and over 60 different valve springs in our catalog, it is impossible for us (or any company) to test every possible combination. Because of this, we offer guidelines on how to select spr ings for custom applications (special valve stem lengths, weights, etc.). It is in this area of the unknown or untested that the greatest opportunities exist of finding your own special combination that yields a power and per formance increase beyond your competitors. What we’r e talking about is virtually free HP just for choosing the right springs! If you have purchased a cam (Crane or another brand), and it doesn’t seem to perform to your expectations, it is quite likely a different valve spring might be able to make an improvement (It could also be a problem with pushrod stiff- ness and/or rocker arm geometry.) If you are pushing the envelope in any area of motorsports competition, it is necessary to constantly evaluate vari- ous combinations of engine compo- nents. Frequently, racers ignore the effects of the valve springs on the dynamics of the valvetrain. By experi- menting with various valve spring combinations you will probably find the most power for your money and/or time. In addition, you just might cure that “fuel system” or “ignition system” problem you thought you had! Valve Springs . . . Hardly An “Open & Shut” Subject! V A L V E T R A I
