Unfortunately, I have a small leak from one of my valve seals in Cylinder #1, and although not a huge issue now it is burning off a very slight amount of oil and is making the valve itself dirty, which will eventually cause the valve to stick open/close and misfire. I still have quite a bit of time before it gets this bad, but that's inevitably where it will go eventually.

I know there's a trick where you don't need to remove the head to replace seals, but I don't trust myself to do it without dropping a valve and at the labor a shop would cost I'd rather just pull the head and do some reliability upgrades while I'm in there.

I'll be putting in a new Cometic (stock thickness) head gasket, and ARP headstuds. I know popular options for valvetrain upgrades are Ferrea and Supertech, and that some people just put in AP2 components.

I'm hoping to not spend more than ~$1000 on the valvetrain. What would be best to switch out? Springs, valves, retainers.... I think Supertech has some packages I could get in the $600->$800 region.

Based on how much I'm looking to spend I think either an AP2 or Supertech upgrade is the best bet. InlinePro is out of my budget and I think Ferrea is as well.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to get? If I went the AP2 route, what all should I switch out (I think springs are most common?)

Edit: The car currently only has about 350WHP and the most it will ever see is ~500WHP. I definitely will never go above 550 on the stock engine.

 

Keep it stock everything with upgraded ap2 retainers and keepers. These will provide the longest lasting reliable option for your output and future goal, as well as the least expensive.

 

Sounds like a cheap and effective plan.

Thanks.

 

My 2 cents...use OEM headgasket with the ARP head studs. I just had my cylinder head refreshened with a Supertech valvetrain installed by Laskey Racing. After almost 100k miles, my OEM exhaust valve guides were worn/loose causing some oil loss. I could had left it as is, but I had to pull of my head anyways so it was the perfect time to update. I had Laskey install bronze valve guides all around.