AP1 Valvetrain Upgrades
#1
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AP1 Valvetrain Upgrades
Unfortunately, I have a small leak from one of my valve seals in Cylinder #1, and although not a huge issue now it is burning off a very slight amount of oil and is making the valve itself dirty, which will eventually cause the valve to stick open/close and misfire. I still have quite a bit of time before it gets this bad, but that's inevitably where it will go eventually.
I know there's a trick where you don't need to remove the head to replace seals, but I don't trust myself to do it without dropping a valve and at the labor a shop would cost I'd rather just pull the head and do some reliability upgrades while I'm in there.
I'll be putting in a new Cometic (stock thickness) head gasket, and ARP headstuds. I know popular options for valvetrain upgrades are Ferrea and Supertech, and that some people just put in AP2 components.
I'm hoping to not spend more than ~$1000 on the valvetrain. What would be best to switch out? Springs, valves, retainers.... I think Supertech has some packages I could get in the $600->$800 region.
Based on how much I'm looking to spend I think either an AP2 or Supertech upgrade is the best bet. InlinePro is out of my budget and I think Ferrea is as well.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what to get? If I went the AP2 route, what all should I switch out (I think springs are most common?)
Edit: The car currently only has about 350WHP and the most it will ever see is ~500WHP. I definitely will never go above 550 on the stock engine.
I know there's a trick where you don't need to remove the head to replace seals, but I don't trust myself to do it without dropping a valve and at the labor a shop would cost I'd rather just pull the head and do some reliability upgrades while I'm in there.
I'll be putting in a new Cometic (stock thickness) head gasket, and ARP headstuds. I know popular options for valvetrain upgrades are Ferrea and Supertech, and that some people just put in AP2 components.
I'm hoping to not spend more than ~$1000 on the valvetrain. What would be best to switch out? Springs, valves, retainers.... I think Supertech has some packages I could get in the $600->$800 region.
Based on how much I'm looking to spend I think either an AP2 or Supertech upgrade is the best bet. InlinePro is out of my budget and I think Ferrea is as well.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what to get? If I went the AP2 route, what all should I switch out (I think springs are most common?)
Edit: The car currently only has about 350WHP and the most it will ever see is ~500WHP. I definitely will never go above 550 on the stock engine.
#2
Keep it stock everything with upgraded ap2 retainers and keepers. These will provide the longest lasting reliable option for your output and future goal, as well as the least expensive.
#3
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#4
My 2 cents...use OEM headgasket with the ARP head studs. I just had my cylinder head refreshened with a Supertech valvetrain installed by Laskey Racing. After almost 100k miles, my OEM exhaust valve guides were worn/loose causing some oil loss. I could had left it as is, but I had to pull of my head anyways so it was the perfect time to update. I had Laskey install bronze valve guides all around.
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