Reply to "Forum Members Please Comment!"

Hi Chris,

the beehive springs are a new item in the hot rod market, I've never had an opportunity to build a motor with them. If there is a coil bind issue then of course that takes precedent over other concerns. If Dan Jones has explored this issue for his motor, his advice would be wise to take. Based on what you have written it appears your choice is between max power which requires valve lift & more rpm which is the idea behind beehive springs. Of course, lots of racers have been turning lots of rpm without beehive springs for a long time. I'll write this one more time, let your cam grinder have the final say, let him pick the springs, rocker ratio, etc. Don't second guess the professionals you hire. Don't purchase every "go fast" goodie you read about & don't run certain parts because "so and so" is running them.

The belt drive for the cam will be a high maintenance item. Do you like working on your car? I do not think the belt drive is a street car item, it is a device designed for constant high rpm, high valve spring pressure, high valve lift. You will not notice a difference in the way your motor runs.

The money you save on the cam drive, apply it towards a set of Yella Terra rocker arms (or a Crower, Jesel or T&D shaft system)

Why run a composite distibutor gear? A steel gear is the proper material to run with a steel billet cam. Steel gears are available & people are running them without failure. I would not install a composite gear in my new expensive motor until I read & heard lots of good feedback, they are new to the market.

Charlie, to answer your question regarding reliability: the aspect that most often shortens the life of a valve train is high valve spring pressure (or insufficient oil to cool the springs). The retro fit hydraulic roller cams come from the manufacturer with springs that run approx 130# on the seat and 365# at full lift, those pressures aren't that extreme. Comp & Crane rate their roller cams with these springs for 6500 rpm. What they are carefully juggling are those 2 factors, max rpm verses valve train life. I think the Cam makers have made good decisions, but I don't care about running my motor to seven grand either!

your frind on the DTBB, George