What is the preferred valve guide material? Silicon-bronze, manganese-bronze, Moldstar alloys, etc.? Getting some guides and trying to decide on the material.
What is the preferred valve guide material? Silicon-bronze, manganese-bronze, Moldstar alloys, etc.? Getting some guides and trying to decide on the material.
David Russell
IT Volvo 242
I'm polishing a turd, so to speak, so I need to maximize every area available!!
David Russell
IT Volvo 242
Whichever costs the most.
My understanding is the silicon bronze is a little softer than the manganese bronze. The manganese bronze is used in applications where higher temperatures are expected. I believe most OEM guides are iron (pretty sure that's what my Honda is). I'm sure there are special alloys (I've personally never heard of Moldstar) for more "serious" applications, but I can't imagine those being required for a club racer build. I think either bronze would be a good choice.
Jared Cromas
2012-2010 & 2008 Midwestern Council ITA Champion
2008 Midwestern Council Driver of the Year
SCSCC Race Steward
#111 FP/ST '90 Gold/Blk Acura Integra
My hope is that the manganese bronze, Moldstar, etc. valve guide material will transfer more heat out of the combustion chamber. That should give me a bit more margin for detonation and possible the ability to advance the timing a degree or so more.
David Russell
IT Volvo 242
On a low compression engine you want to keep as much heat in the combustion chamber as possible to make power. Chukc
Chuck Baader
White EP BMW M-Techniq
I may grow older, but I refuse to grow up!
trasnfering heat to the valve, and valve guide is not a good idea. Measures are usually taken to prevent any heat getting to the valves (coatings and such that are IT illegal).
Bronze is a great conductor of heat and elctricity, however it also has a much greater thermal expansion coeficent than steel.. so if you are planning on heat soaking the valve guide via the valve to your head, which will already be heat soaked from the combustion process.
You will recive greater anti detoniation charcteristics from running higher octane fuels and or different spark plug heat ranges if you want to run alot of spark advance.
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