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nater44
Dodge Dakota
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11/26/2005
01:26:22
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 Subject: steel vs stainless steel valves
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Here's my questions I am looking at getting a set of heads for my 5.2. One type comes with stock steel 1.92/1.60 valves. For another $205 I can get stainless swirl polished valves. What do I gain in getting the stainless valves. Are they lighter? Will they get less carbon build up? I guess what I'm asking is what are the advantages of stainless versus the stock steel valves, I hope to hear from N56629 because I know he knows his stuff. Hey, before I go what's it cost to become a member here?
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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11/26/2005
11:08:24
|  RE: steel vs stainless steel valves
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Stainless valves are generally a better quality, with a better swirl pattern for better high rpm flow. They also resist deposits that affect the flow. When atomized fuel hits a polished stainless valve, it tends to stay atomized better than plain steel. The differances are very subtle, and probably only seen at sustained high rpm's (>4500'ish).
Is it worth $200? Maybe. Depends on what you're going to be doing with your engine. If it's your daily driver, long haul, and tow vehicle, probably not. Standard steel valves work just fine and will last 100K miles. With modern fuels, you don't see the nasty valve stem deposits like you used to.
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Look
Dodge Dakota
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11/26/2005
15:42:27
| RE: steel vs stainless steel valves
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at the top of the page to see what it costs to be a member.
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Super bee
GenI
11/26/2005
20:28:28
| RE: steel vs stainless steel valves
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what kind of stainless is it?
most stainless will expand VERY readily compared to regular steel under heat
so how does that work then? wont it click or something?
a genI is awesome with a 318 ;-)
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cuzindoug
GenIII
11/26/2005
22:13:39
| RE: steel vs stainless steel valves
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I was going to ask the same thing. Better find out what the SAE or comp number for the stainless they are using. The ONLY "true" stainless that should be used in engines is 422 stainless. Most of the stainless that is used for valves now a days is not true stainless steel, it is more like hardened steel(meaning more carbon)with VERY little chromium.
If it ain't broke, fix it til it is.
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N56629
Dodge Dakota
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11/26/2005
23:21:12
| RE: steel vs stainless steel valves
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Some of the materials like 21-4N stainless are significantly stronger than 4000 series high carbon steel. This allows the manufacturer to contour the shaft and area under the valve head to give better fuel/air flow. In spite of stainless generally being heavier the thinning makes them slightly lighter. I think they all have them but make sure they have stellite tips.
I don't know what kind of heads you plan on getting but it sounds like you plan on putting a bit of money in them so an extra couple hundred bucks doesn't sound too bad. I guess it's more of a personal thing.
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shannon
Dodge Dakota
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11/27/2005
00:59:14
| RE: steel vs stainless steel valves
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Extra 200 for stainless valves? Hell, you can buy a brand new set for 170.
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nater44
Dodge Dakota
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11/27/2005
11:29:28
| RE: steel vs stainless steel valves
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It is 21-4N SS, which means it has 4% nickel, and they do have stellite tips. I forgot to mention that they came with better springs too. So from what I hear the investment is worth it, unless I want to jump to titanium valves....$$$$$$$. Has anybody seen beehive springs that will fit on these heads, the spring land or whatever you want to call it is like the RT heads? Thanks for the help guys
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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11/27/2005
15:04:54
| RE: steel vs stainless steel valves
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AFAIK, Comp Cams is the only one making bee hive springs at the moment. Their applications are pretty limited. What you'll have to do is check the valve specs for diameter and installed height, and then compare that to the heads you're looking at. Bee hives provide a benifit above 5800'ish. No advantage below that.
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nater44
Dodge Dakota
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11/27/2005
22:21:01
| RE: steel vs stainless steel valves
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Actually on high performance application, which is not my truck at the moment, they benefit throughout the rpm band. In a magazine called Power & Performance they installed beehives on a GMPP 454 with aftermarket cam, heads, intake, and from standard springs to beehives, they averaged 10 ft-lbs and 7 hp from 2200-5600. It was interesting to see that in the low rpms and the high rpms (above 5500) were the greatest gains. Something to do with harmonics and stuff thats too complicated for me to understand it without a physics degree
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