Titanium vs steel retainers - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ss camaro-monte · 10-16-2022, 03:25 PM

When do you really need titanium retainers and how much do they really benefit you with a smaller vvt cam?

Just wondering experiences. I was told I don't need them for my cam as it has a 216-228 duration and max 620s lift but I wanted to see what the pros and cons of them are from those who have done them before. Price difference is about $70 dollars between them.
Thanks

LS1Formulation · 10-19-2022, 08:30 AM

The difference comes in when you're running much higher RPM, as the titanium material lowers the dynamic weight of the valvetrain. I'm guessing you have an L99? So your intake valves are heavier, and you might benefit from titanium at a lower RPM. What spring package you run makes a difference as well, as a dual spring setup needs a physically larger retainer, where the switch to titanium makes more sense from a weight savings standpoint. I'm running BTR .660 duals, and I opted for a titanium retainer for that reason. However, if you have a beehive or conical spring package, the switch from steel to titanium may not save enough weight to be worth it, unless you're shooting for max RPM. Hope this helps.

1JEWLDSSRS · 10-19-2022, 10:17 AM

^^^^ concur on this. Plus titanium is harder and stronger than steel. And will last longer.

Boother · 10-20-2022, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

Plus titanium is harder and stronger than steel. And will last longer.

Actually it is the opposite. Steel retainers have a longer life than Titanium and are better for street use.

olblue75 · 10-20-2022, 11:46 AM

Titanium is also more brittle than steel IIRCC

Chris49066SS · 10-20-2022, 03:49 PM

This was fun. Theres what happened when a rocker got snapped.

1JEWLDSSRS · 10-20-2022, 07:15 PM

Got me curious, so I had to check it out. Interesting reading.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=which+...415be5908fc2aa

Pkeen · 10-20-2022, 07:19 PM

What the heck,kinda makes me wish I went with steel instead of Titanium now !

Bo White · 10-20-2022, 08:25 PM

Stage 4 and custom cams for high rpm I would never consider steel retainers.

1JEWLDSSRS · 10-21-2022, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris49066SS

This was fun. Theres what happened when a rocker got snapped.

Chris, I forgot to ask yesterday, what the heck caused that failure?? Wow..

Chris49066SS · 10-22-2022, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

Chris, I forgot to ask yesterday, what the heck caused that failure?? Wow..

Not sure bud. It just started running weak one day back in 2019, about 6 months after I got my cam and stuff done, then when I took it in a couple months later for the intake, the thing dyno'd at 370 hp (down about 110 rwhp) and they replaced the broken rocker and showed me what had happened to that piece. It held on but was all chewed up. Then last time I took it in when they did the valve springs they said one of the valve guides had came out. I feel I've avoided a catastrophic engine failure at least twice!!

I've been wanting to go to a T&D shaft mount rocker for a while, but ya know. $$$$

InFiD3ViL · 10-24-2022, 09:46 PM

I recently saw tool steel retainers from a few different manufacturers, ie Lunati, Comp.

Are these different from the 'steel' retainers all manufacturers offer?

Bo White · 10-25-2022, 09:56 AM

I put 45k miles on my TSP springs with ti retainers and only replaced the springs. I reused everything else.

1JEWLDSSRS · 10-25-2022, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InFiD3ViL

I recently saw tool steel retainers from a few different manufacturers, ie Lunati, Comp.

Are these different from the 'steel' retainers all manufacturers offer?

I worked in a tooling shop back some time ago as a tool and die apprentice and we used tool steel, which is a bit harder than regular steel to make our 10 ton punch press dies for cutting and shaping " other steels. Here is a good read about the 2 different steels.

https://sage-answers.com/what-is-the..._regular_steel

10-16-2022, 03:25 PM	#1
ss camaro-monte Drives: 2015 camaro 2ss, 87 monte ss Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Houston Posts: 242	Titanium vs steel retainers When do you really need titanium retainers and how much do they really benefit you with a smaller vvt cam? Just wondering experiences. I was told I don't need them for my cam as it has a 216-228 duration and max 620s lift but I wanted to see what the pros and cons of them are from those who have done them before. Price difference is about $70 dollars between them. Thanks

10-19-2022, 10:17 AM	#3
1JEWLDSSRS Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 11,449	^^^^ concur on this. Plus titanium is harder and stronger than steel. And will last longer. __________________ TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.

10-20-2022, 11:46 AM	#5
olblue75 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Clarksville Tennesse. Posts: 6,064	Titanium is also more brittle than steel IIRCC __________________ Orange Krush II 1LE Front sway bar, Splitter, shocks and struts, Z28 dual mode mufflers, Intake, UCA Bushings, and Toresen 3.91 Diff. 1 piece DSS Drive Shaft, ZL1/C7 Calipers, and 32mm JPSS Rear Bar. ASC race spec splitter and wicker. 6th Gen M017 Wheels. Stainless Works 1 7/8 LTs. DSE and PAFDT Suspension components.

10-20-2022, 03:49 PM	#6
Chris49066SS Drives: 2010 SS L99 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,634	This was fun. Theres what happened when a rocker got snapped. Attached Images __________________ Previous PB:11.079 @ 122.99mph.. New setup time: TBD The 11.079 pass: https://youtu.be/pz27Zq54t_E Build thread - www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=555371

10-20-2022, 07:15 PM	#7
1JEWLDSSRS Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 11,449	Got me curious, so I had to check it out. Interesting reading. https://www.bing.com/search?q=which+...415be5908fc2aa __________________ TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.

10-19-2022, 08:30 AM	#2
LS1Formulation Drives: '13 Camaro SS '98 Firebird Formula Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Grand Rapids, Mi Posts: 76	The difference comes in when you're running much higher RPM, as the titanium material lowers the dynamic weight of the valvetrain. I'm guessing you have an L99? So your intake valves are heavier, and you might benefit from titanium at a lower RPM. What spring package you run makes a difference as well, as a dual spring setup needs a physically larger retainer, where the switch to titanium makes more sense from a weight savings standpoint. I'm running BTR .660 duals, and I opted for a titanium retainer for that reason. However, if you have a beehive or conical spring package, the switch from steel to titanium may not save enough weight to be worth it, unless you're shooting for max RPM. Hope this helps.

10-20-2022, 07:19 PM	#8
Pkeen Drives: 2010 Camaro 2ss/rs, 2008 Avalanche Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Lake Pannasoffkee,Florida Posts: 249	What the heck,kinda makes me wish I went with steel instead of Titanium now ! __________________ 2010 Rally Yellow 2ss/rs , M6 ,416ci , K1 rods & crank,weisco -3.0cc dome pistons,.040 head gasket, 11.5 compression,1 3/4" LT ,3" pipes w/x-pipe no cats, Cam Motion cam 239/247 113+3 .621"/604" lift , BTR .660 Platinum dual springs w/Titanium retainers, CAI . Stock ls3 heads,intake,injectors & TB. 515rwhp/500rwtq.

10-20-2022, 08:25 PM	#9
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,019	Stage 4 and custom cams for high rpm I would never consider steel retainers. __________________ Retired wanna be cylinder head porter 2015 2SS 1LE Clutch reservoir, Vararam DRX, ported TB, TSP 2" headers, MGW shifter Totalled: 2010 1SS Wilkes Performance/Eagle 416 shortblock, TSP custom valvetrain, PRC 260 heads, Edelbrock Pro Flo 102, th400 swap, 8" PTC 5500 stall= 535/435 at the wheels tuned Gen 3 Performance and Dyno 10.97 @ 124 full weight in 3100 DA CamaroFest X

10-24-2022, 09:46 PM	#12
InFiD3ViL Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS LS3 Swapped A6 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 4,575	I recently saw tool steel retainers from a few different manufacturers, ie Lunati, Comp. Are these different from the 'steel' retainers all manufacturers offer? __________________ 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS LS3 Swapped A6 - GPI LS3 SS1 .647/.638, (224/237, 112 +4, 7º overlap) on CamMotion 8620 core, BTR Platinum .660" Dual Spring kit w/titanium retainers, CHE bronze trunnion upgrade, stock heads milled @ .015, Melling HV 10296 oil pump, TSP 1-7/8" long tube headers (W/Catless Off-road Pipes), Corsa Xtreme 3" Catback, GPI Ported/Rod Mod Intake, Stage 2 Ported Throttle Body, Vararam OTR CAI, Mike Norris Gen 2 catch can + GM 1LE clean side separator, 160º thermostat - Megan Racing adjustable coilovers (lowered 1.75"), MRR M017 10/11" wheels-Tuned by Ryan @ GPI

10-25-2022, 09:56 AM	#13
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,019	I put 45k miles on my TSP springs with ti retainers and only replaced the springs. I reused everything else. __________________ Retired wanna be cylinder head porter 2015 2SS 1LE Clutch reservoir, Vararam DRX, ported TB, TSP 2" headers, MGW shifter Totalled: 2010 1SS Wilkes Performance/Eagle 416 shortblock, TSP custom valvetrain, PRC 260 heads, Edelbrock Pro Flo 102, th400 swap, 8" PTC 5500 stall= 535/435 at the wheels tuned Gen 3 Performance and Dyno 10.97 @ 124 full weight in 3100 DA CamaroFest X