Thread: Looking to build a safe 9k RPM head

I've been told that DET lifters compared to DE lifters have bigger oil holes? So they hold more pressure to withstand the higher rev? If so would that paired with BC springs and retainers be a safe setup for 9k? I want to do this before I get my car tuned so the tuner can take it that far. The only serious mod I have is S4 cams in my lowport DE. I've been searching around and see alot of ppl using those springs. Along with some talk of solid lifters, but I didn't want to go that route because of the constant reshimming, nor do I want to use rocker arm stoppers because of the risks with them. All opinions appreciated. Thanks guys

you wont make power up there so why would you even bother

you have s4 cams in a de it will run out of breath way before 9k

Agree, you will have to get into the C series cams to be of any benefit.

I happen to have an extra VE head in my garage.. I'll cut you a good deal on it. Text me if your interested

Yeah in n/a format you wont make power to 9k. You can rev out to about 8k and that would be a good shift point for 1st, 2nd, and maybe 3rd but more than likely 7800 in 3rd.

Now in turbo format that is a different story depending on the size of turbo and other mods. I reved my DE head out to 9k on several occasions with my last turbo setup, BC springs and retainers, twin grooved shim mod, C2 cams. I made power all the way out to it as well. Power kept climbing. Never had issues with the valvetrain.

Ok cool. Thanks for the input guys. So what would be the limit of S4s then? What RPM does the power drop off at? It sits untuned as of now, and it still pulls strong up to 7500. It doesn't feel like I'm getting good power til after 3k right now. I just want to make the most out of what I got right now. Just trying to figyre out how to get there. Thanks again.

i would say 7800 at the most and there is no limit on the cams its your springs and retainers. you might think its pulling hard all the way to 7500 but wait and see what the dyno shows you

s4s are better up top so thats prob why you feel more power above 3k or you could have something not adjusted correctly

you can rev s4s out on stock springs and retainers to 8k. I did it for years with my t2 setups. Ive seen dynos both with t2 turbos and na with s4s and power starts falling off at about 7800. Its not a big nosedive its more of a taper off. 8k still has good power and is probably optimum to put you right back smack in the power band shifting at the points i told you in each gear. S4s are great cams both na and turbo, drop in and go.

if your thinking high revs, buy rocker arm stoppers along with your springs and retainers. they are like insurance for your motor (which cost less than $100 usually). i have s4's and RAS, but my car pulls hard from 4k-about 7250k. i can go 8k if I want, but only in an "emergency"

Please do not listen to this advice (about buying RAS stoppers that is)

A dropped valve and damaged pistons are ALOT more expensive to fix that $100

And last I checked, DEs are still somewhat more than $100..........