I've got a drop-in single and dual valvespring upgrade.

[Mettler]

I think I'll stick with the factory HLAs for my setup... I know guys who are having no issues with them. Alternative HLAs may be a good thing to investigate though, see whether there are any others that are slightly stiffer, better resistance against stronger valvesprings.

[db_autotek]

Any updates to whether the Honda H22 springs will work/fit in a VH ? I'm interested since aftermarket H22 springs are everywhere but VH are not. (just for humor: I recently saw a prelude blow the doors off an s2000, thought it was funny )

[SuperHatch]

Any updates to whether the Honda H22 springs will work/fit in a VH ? I'm interested since aftermarket H22 springs are everywhere but VH are not. (just for humor: I recently saw a prelude blow the doors off an s2000, thought it was funny )

If you use just the outer spring from the prelude it is a 100% drop-in upgrade. If you want to use the dual spring you will need to machine the seat and maybe the retainer, but there is plenty of clearance around the valve stem seal.

[Mettler]

Superhatch: Obviously with significantly increased spring rates, the pressure back against the HLAs is going to increase quite a lot... do you think the single spring upgrade would be sufficient to allow steeply ramped cams + lots of lift? I'd imagine the dual combo would really only be necessary in an all-out race application with very high rpm. I'm just concerned the duals could cause excess wear on the rockers, and potentially ruin the HLAs faster.

[gs14racer]

This is not gonna ruin the hla. The hla in the q is virtually identical to the sr and people run increased spring rates in the SR up to 100 %. I have run 70 percent stiffer springs in my and my friends sr for overr 40k his and 30k mine with no problems whats so ever.

I really think this is a non issue.

[Mettler]

Thanks gs14racer, this is good to know. I'll probably go with the dual spring upgrade.

Any news on pricing, Superhatch??

Obviously we're going to need the spring retainers and machine them out to suit the VH valvestems.

If I recall correctly, there is no provision for inner springs on the VH, meaning we'll need inner spring seats too so the springs don't sit directly on the aluminium.

[SuperHatch]

I agree with gs14racer with respect to the HLA's, I really would not be concerned. As long as they are in good condition, they will be fine.

Pricing for the springs is whatever the best price you can find... since they're not custom.

The retainers, I havn't had the priced yet. I'm not building my engine right now, the transmission and rear in my car are being done first. Manley isn't ready to do the rods until the summer, so I'm getting other things done first. When I'm ready to build a motor I'll get a quote.

As far as the single sping being suitable for high ramp rates... I'd have to say no. The springrate is only marginallybetter than stock. If a set of cams with longer duration and more lift (but similar ramp rates) were designed, I think they'd work well. Especially since they allow for more lift and directly drop in.

[db_autotek]

Awsome! This is exciting. After a little research I've noticed that Nissan used the VH engine in most of their road racing. Supposedly the engine itself is good up to 1000hp and 9k rpm in the race applications. So I imagine that the HLAs should be sufficient. And I agree with Mettler, solid lifter are too noisy and require too much attention.

I'm comfortable enough with my machining skills to tackle the dual H22 springs, but for now I'm gonna keep my eyes out for some good outter springs to start with. Some of the name brands I know from my Honda days are Skunk2, Supertech, and of course we all know good ol' Crower and Ferrea. Sets are going for hundreds (of course we need 2 sets) but It should be fairly possible/cheaper to order some name brand outter springs without the retainers and hardware (unnecesarry since theyre not going in a honda)!! This is great, I'll keep checkin back for updates and I'll post if I get my hands on some.

[Mettler]

Pricing for the springs is whatever the best price you can find... since they're not custom.

So hang on, let me clarify this... Manley replacement springs for H22A are not an aftermarket/upgrade for the H22A, but an imitation 'factory' spring set?

Cos if it's just factory H22A springs, then I can quite happily source them.

Got any further information as to how to modify the spring retainers to fit the inner springs? Does the radius just need to be turned down into a right angle shape?

[SuperHatch]

So hang on, let me clarify this... Manley replacement springs for H22A are not an aftermarket/upgrade for the H22A, but an imitation 'factory' spring set?

Cos if it's just factory H22A springs, then I can quite happily source them.

No, I see how I could have worded that better. What I meant is that they're not custom for the VH, it's just an off the shelf aftermarket H22 spring, unmodified for VH use.

Got any further information as to how to modify the spring retainers to fit the inner springs? Does the radius just need to be turned down into a right angle shape?

From what I can tell, yes. I was not planning on using the stock retainers though. I will be using the H22 retainers with the center hole bored out for use with a 7mm valvestem.

[Mettler]

No, I see how I could have worded that better. What I meant is that they're not custom for the VH, it's just an off the shelf aftermarket H22 spring, unmodified for VH use.

From what I can tell, yes. I was not planning on using the stock retainers though. I will be using the H22 retainers with the center hole bored out for use with a 7mm valvestem.

Ah yep, cheers. That would imply that 'aftermarket' springs for H22A in my part of the world could differ in spec... let me know what you find out r.e. the price mate, cheers

I'll post up whatever I get quoted here too.

[defrag010]

boy have i ever been down this road..

superhatch, one thing to watch out for is moving the retainer up.. I couldn't successfully move the retainer up anymore than about .050" before the edge of it would tough the rocker at closed position.Also, what kind of solid height does the inner spring have? I don't remember how tall the inner lip is on the guide boss, but that's one thing to watch out for too..

I'll have to dig out my measurements and notes and post them, but there are a bunch of valves and guides and springs that you can use on the VH with minimal work.. I think it's toyota 3TC guides that will knock in in place of VH exhaust guides, and just need to be shortened a little bit and reamed out to size.. and older prelude (forget engine code) intake valves can be shortened and re-grooved and used as 2mm oversize VH intake valves and i think there was a saturn dual spring setup with retainer that could be used on the vh too

If you want more spring, the easiest way to do it is to have your spring pads milled down. I measured them to be a little thicker than half an inch, so you could easily cut out .200" or so and run SBC springs.. That's what I'm doing on my toy heads -- cut down spring pads, SBC Z28 springs, stock VH retainers.
Modified by defrag010 at 1:01 AM 5/26/2007