I spoke with MoZo at Kamispeed, and I am very interested in this. Not sure if I want to blow $900 on the crazy-good retainers, but I would like to redo mine and make sure the timings are right with at least AP2-quality parts. When/Where is this going on?

 

just trying to help this effort.

are there any advantages for the AP2 people to upgrade?

 

WRT to the retainers, just upgrading the retainers to aftermarket is relatively cheap ($200 labor + $150 retainers + $65 keepers = $415). There are cheaper options out there but I don't know anyone that's personally run them yet to evaluate them. The brands of the stuff I'm dealing with have very well established reputations for quality and reliability.

WRT to the AP2... AFAIK no one has had an issue with cracking the AP2 retainers, I would imagine the AP2s are "good enough" for street use. I would only recommend upgrading those or the springs if you planned to do some serious track time or just have a tendency to misshift and forcibly overrev the valvetrain.

The earliest I could be out there would be one day next week. So far it looks like two serious takers... anyone else? Cetrian? cvedral has offered his place in Ponce Inlet Fl. I'd need a rain (and dust) free environment to do this in, any garage should work. I should be able to bring all my tools with me in checked luggage, though local tools would be nice just in case. Jack/stands or other special tools are not needed.

 

Then just get the AP2 retainers, that is what I am doing.

AP2 retainers and keepers are around $100 only and the labor is only $200 so in around $300 you would have upgraded keepers and retainers. I would highly recommend if you drive hard and bought the car used and are not sure if it was ever overrev'd or not, just get these changed. Looking at JSpd's retainers in North Texas forum, it seems like there is no way to tell if they are cracked or not and AP2 retainers/keepers are what all the AP1 owners put in their car so it's worth upgrading!

 

How much for just a retainer inspection/valve adjustment? Had mine done like 40K miles ago and checked and were fine though but could maybe use some adjusting or something.
Also would you be able to do a banjo bolt install? If so how much? Thanks.

 

I charge $40 for a valve adjustment. I'll inspect for free, but it's impossible to inspect for anything other than "impending engine failure." I've seen retainers hairline crack from the underside where NO cracks are visible on the topside and you cann't tell that the valve/keepers are "sunk" inside the retainer. I used to think you could inspect until I found one that looked find until I got it apart during a "preventative" retainer swap.

They apparently can run for a while with hairline cracks, though I definitely don't recommend it.

The only way to inspect properly is to remove... and if you do that, you might as well replace while you are in there.

I can do the banjo bolt install but probably not on this trip. I charge $150 labor and the bolts IIRC are $60 for the set. The car will have to sit for at least 6 hours, preferably 24, before being re-oiled, so that the Hondabond can set on the oil pan.

 

Ok well I should be down for a valve adjustment I think as long as nothing comes up.
Yeah makes sense about inspecting but I guess at least if nothing is seen it is better than seeing a crack haha.
is 40k miles from last adjustment worth it most likely?
I am going boost shortly if it makes any difference. Supercharged.

 

I do have floor jacks and jack stands along with tools just nothing special for doing this job. Garage is a nice 2+ car attached, ocean front house you will not be disappointed!

 

40k since last adjustment is usually worth it. It's also worth it to tighten them slightly vs stock spec if not done- quiets things down and adds a little power. The stock spec is pretty loose.

 

Ok cool. I should be down for the adjustment then. Not gonna do the new retainers as I have spent too much dough recently otherwise I would.