What can the stock valve springs handle in terms of power and RPMs. I'm starting to beef up my engine internals and before I pull the valve springs to install billet retainers and keepers I would like to know if its necessary?

 

stock valve springs cant handle over 3200 or the valves start floating and bad things happen i didnt put billet retainers and keepers in mine when i built my engine not real sure when you need them

 

on a street driven trcu the billet reatainers are way overkill, i would use them till i exceede 5k with the truck

 

I was thinkin they were a little over kill especially right now... But better safe than sorry

 

Stock valve springs will be good enough for the occasional bursts over 3000.You will want to do something with the valve springs if you planning on life over 4000.Better retainers and keepers are a good addition to the truck seeing 4000 on a regular basis.However,if your planning on life over 4000 in competition then you may want to think about different valves and having the head cut for a much better valve spring to limit valve float and aid in engine life.Might even want to consider an aftermarket pushrod also if your leaning to running rpms that are in high orbit.

 

My plan is to rebuild the engine here pretty soon. Upgrade all the internals like pushrods, to billet, new coated pistons, have the head bored and o ringed, changing my main studs to 14mm, 14mm IP and so forth... Basically I'm looking at making my 97 a complete competition truck and using my 07 as my DD. As of right now I'm trying to get it all priced out so I only have to do it once.