Carloverx

I've been reading up on valve spring options for my turbo build.

Obviously the Supertech stuff is very popular
(Supertech Valve Springs 1.8 Mazda)

But it seems some people also use Sealed Power VS855:
(Sealed Power Valve Springs VS855 - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing)

According to some minimal feedback here, the VS855 can rev to the moon even under relatively high boost and work with stock retainers and keepers:
https://www.miataturbo.net/engine-pe...o-70450/page2/

So my questions is: What risks or drawbacks are there from running $120 Sealed Power springs (with my stock retainers and keepers), compared to $380 "Light Double Spring" Supper Tech setup?

This is my first thread, so go lightly

hraday93

I would just go the supertech route and save the trouble.

perhaps my philosophy on modding is a bit self-righteous, but if there is knowledge of the "best" part around, and I'm not factoring cost in the term "best"... then you do what it takes to buy the best part.

I see a lot of guys who say "I don't have the cash for XYZ" and it baffles me that they have these big dreams and want to cut corners, whereas there are also a lot of guys who spend big bucks on something like an overflow tank for their naturally aspirated build and I tend to resonate with them more because they just seem to get it.

Again, it might be completely close-minded to want to always buy the perceived "best" parts but that's just my two cents on it.

Also, there will be droves of people who follow after me in this thread that will be able to shed a more detailed perspective on the pros and cons of both, lots of guys seem to have the spring game down and can tell you the ins-and-outs of what setup will benefit you, but you have to know what power you're shooting for among other things.

Carloverx

Thanks hraday93. I try to learn as much as I can about my options before making a decision.

To be honest, I expected either an insightful discussion, or to be flamed for not searching well enough, but surprisingly it's been quite.

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

There's a non vocal (for fear of backlash from forum sponsors and mods) group of people whom have a major disdain for the supertech valve springs because they take a set and after some use seem to have significantly reduced seat pressure. I never noticed that problem with them in my motor, though I'm not sure I ran them long enough and I also havent measure the seat pressure currently.

hraday93

Interesting. I guess we'll see what the heavy doubles do for me. Would those people happen to be running stock lifters too? I read some threads like that early on in my "lurking" stage that suggested the stock lifters created untimely wear in some setups.

psyber_0ptix

iTrader: (4)

this concerns me

dleavitt

iTrader: (1)

This thread is relevant to my interests. I have a NB1 head to refresh.

Downmented

iTrader: (1)

Ditto

Carloverx

Additional information/feedback on VS855 here:

VS-855 valve springs - any long term usage reports ? - MX-5 Miata Forum

albumleaf

iTrader: (7)

Which exact springs are you referring to? Or is it all three options?

NiklasFalk

iTrader: (1)

Running ST heavy doubles with custom steel retainers.
Trying to explain the doubts about the Ti retainers (based on race engine failures) felt kind of pointless.
It's better to be a happy shopaholic, ignorance is bliss.

hraday93

Me 3.

And exactly what backlash is there to be had besides a hate cat and a possible sour look on the street if or when one ever meets these folks?

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

Just that, its not worth arguing about on the internet over.

hraday93

Reporting a problematic high performance part isn't worth it? Man, I'm a long way from home on the Mazdaspeed Forums.

Carloverx

Update:
The Sealed Power Valve Springs VS855 are in the car and seemingly working fine for the first 100 miles or so.

No really power/revs have been put through them yet, so will keep you posted.

hraday93

Well my motor has been running decent. as most know, no boost on it yet. I'm still under 800 miles on the build too. Best believe though if any of the mentioned problems arise, I will happily take one for the team and call them out.

It's not like I get much response to my questions anyways, so getting booted is of little significance if a problem can be fixed for the community. I'd say that should fall on Braineack for doing the right thing in the long run.

AndrewG

I just jumped on those as well. I´m going to run custom grind 10mm lift cams Supertech valves and supermiata solidlifters...do you guys know if those lifters work with stock valve retainers ?

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

Lifters do not interface with valve retainers. They ride on the top of the valve. You will need shims for the lifters.

Be careful about higher lift cams and non stock springs. You can potentially run into coil bind.

NiklasFalk

iTrader: (1)

Hm, you always need to be careful when playing with the valve-train. You will not be safe from issues by staying with stock springs (creative misinterpretation).

Valve-train is one of those things that's depending on a little too many parameters to be a candidate for webshop, install and forget (like e.g. rods).
On top of just making things work the perception of "working" is very different.
I have springs that don't float valves even at 10.3k, so it works, but softer springs would be better in the long run since I seldom go past 8k.

You goals should dictate you design. Others choices might be relevant, but you have to get enough info to judge if they are.

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

Yes you can put it that way. But its even more likely with a super stiff (if stiffness was increased by increasing wire thickness) springs.