Well, I'm getting the last parts of the kit tomorrow or wednesday. I have seen a bit back and forth on the retainers. I will definately double check the retainers that's in the car, but if they check out fine, do I need to change to AP2 retainers? Is there an advantage with using them? Also, if I do, it's the intake side that should be changed, right?
The engine is 2001 F20C with 60K miles. Going for around 400-450whp.

 

If you are going to go as far as changing the retainers, Why not upgrade? Just spend a little more money and get Supertech Dual valve springs & retainers. That way you won't have to worry about valve float or a retainer cracking.

 

^^^^agreed!!!

 

Are these titanium?

 

Yes, the retainers are.

 

Well, a friend have the AP2 retainers (8 pcs) and keepers that he won't use, so I can get them for practically nothing. Would there be a reason/advantage to change them? And it's primarily on the intake side?

 

The advantage would be the retainers not cracking and not having Valve float. Higher Horsepower applications sometimes have issues with this.

 

I do have another head in the garage with Skunk2 titanium retainers. Should I use these instead? And will the OEM AP2 keepers fit, or should I reuse the one that are with the Skunk2 retainers?

 

I heard that titanium retainers need to be changed much more often than stock ( every 25k miles or so). Also that they are not more durable than stock retainers unless your revving higher than stock would allow.

From what I have read on the intake side ap1 retainers are good for 9600rpm before they will crack and if you switch to ap2 retainers on the intake side only you increase that to 10600 not saying that if you switch to ap2 retainers you should be revving to 10k but that if you miss shift you are much less likely to crack ap2 intake retainers.


Most of my info is purely from a NA perspective if their is something I am missing please let me know.

 

I agree.