View Single Post
Old 02-01-2009, 01:18 PM   #3 (permalink)
Bicycle Bob
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Bicycle Bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: N. Saskatchewan, CA
Posts: 1,268

Appliance White - '93 Metro 4-Dr. Auto
Last 3: 42.35 mpg (US)

Stealth RV - '91 Sprint Base
Thanks: 43
Thanked 144 Times in 109 Posts
On old, very low-speed engines, you may find no valve springs at all. Air opens and closes the valve. The main job of the valve springs is to avoid "float" -they overcome the inertia of the valve and lifter and keep them in contact with the cam as they start to close. That force goes up as the square of speed, so it pays to avoid high revs. If you are going to lower the red-line, a cam with less dwell and overlap is better, as there is less inertia in the manifold gasses.
  Reply With Quote