Weak Valvetrain?

[xonn]

Hello all... I've been reading through alot of the posts on the Tech forum and I see different comments about the SR valvetrain being weak compared to the KA? A local shop that does nissan work recommended going with the S13 engine over the S14 for cost and durability purposes... Any truth to this? Comments?

[themadscientist]

I have several freinds with SRs, I forgive them but they have all snapped the cam followers that actuate the valves when they overreved. Whatever SR you get putting some money into a beefed up valvetrain is pretty much par for the course.

[xonn]

what "beefed up" valvetrain modifications are normally made?

[themadscientist]

lash killers to tighten up the fulcrum the cam followers pivot on. Looking at the shattered parts it seems the OE hydrualic part compresses at high rpm and the follower gets jackhammered and snaps in three peices. The rest should be ok.

Here are the Tomei units;http://www.tomei-p.co.jp/_2003....html

[xonn]

So the lash killers should be all that's needed for a relatively bulletproof valvetrain?

[themadscientist]

they address an inherent weakness. SRs pop, well any engine will but SRs seem *****y to me. IMO (take into account I dislike the SR and always overengineer things) for 400hp or less provided the parts are as new condition the lash killers should be all you need. Run it by the SR guys though, they live with this engine every day and would have a better knowledge of what you need than I.