After all the probs with the valve train on Col's 3dr we made an interesting discovery that i thought fellow zetec builders might appreciate knowing.

Not all zetec valve springs are equal!

The later black top focus engine has tapered valve springs with different caps. The were designed to be easier to open and therefore increase economy though reducing valve train losses.
The down side is that in a performance situation they are shite! Adsolutly no good for anything over 6.5k. Early zetec E valve springs are the ones to use as they are good for 7.5k. You can feel the difference between the two by squeezing them between your fingers.

 

Just the anwser i was looking for to build my zetec turbo.

I should be fine then as i''m building a silvertop

 

nice one fella

 

You will suffer valve float at high rpm and boost

Try the Double K series spring from piper

 

If your using a black top head with 3 groove valves, i dont think you can use silver top springs as they use 2 groove valves and you will struggle to find a retainer that fits.

 

Ross,

How the hell did you find a two year old post?

 

I didnt, Gregor did, with the search function as pony as it is he is a better man than me.

 

Austen - cheers for the heads up on the piper springs

i was going to get some custom springs made to go inside my zetec ones, but these seem like an easy option i was looking at the kent double springs, but the're to big to go inside the 30mm lifters

 

Std silver-top springs are crap for turbo usage and typical/tired ones will float at around 170-200bhp.. Pipers uprated single spring for the zetec is fine to about 300bhp.. after that you need double.. It appears for the blacktop a company called Ferrea sell a double spring conversion with titanium retainers etc.. about £300 for the set - BUT their website says you need to use their valve guides too.. not sure why.

 

When I spoke to Piper they recomended there spring and retainer set VSSFOC16 for my black top Zetec turbo, only strange thing is that set is for a 1.6

 

i have the answer for that one, you'll struggle to find a stem seal that will fit inside them! hence why i've modded my guides if you look at my latest post on my resto thread.

the zetec stem seal is a one-piece affair (incorporating a spring seat) that dosen't lend itself to having double springs at all.

 

measurements to make the guides use vaux stem seals are:

width: 0.347" to 0.345"
height: 0.230"

hope that helps some people

 

Zetec-SE valve springs!!!!

 

i got piper ones in mine, came with the cam kit.

ill only be running a rev limit of 7000rpm, so should be ok.

 

Mine has this problem at the moment.

It won't rev cleanly past 6k over 22 psi on a GT30.

Need to uprate the lifters and valve springs as I am getting valve floating.

 

what lifters and springs are you running now, and what do you intend to uprate them to?

 

Indeed i used the search function...

I'm looking for some piper uprated ones but can't find a company who is willing to send to holland

 

good info, Does anyone have a link to the piper springs?

Si