So my mechanic wants to upgrade my cracked retainers with Ferrea manganese bronze units. He says that these have been a great upgrade in other f20/f22 motors as well as k20's. Anyone use these or have experience with them? I read a couple threads about clearance issues with rockers arms so I was a bit concerned. Thanks in advance.

 

U got ap2 with cracked retainers? Never see that yet.

 

In all likelihood from the previous owner. I bought the car this year and fortunately bought an extended warranty for it too that is covering everything. The mechanic said the seats were some of the most battered he had ever seen and highly recommended replacing all retainers, seals, gaskets, etc. That's how using the Ferrea ones came up.

 

So it's not necessarily the retainers then but instead he recommends a complete upgrade.

As for the "Ferrea manganese bronze units" you must be talking about the Ferrea Manganese Bronze Valve Guides which are not retainers. Ferrea offers Aluminum Magnesium Retainers or Titanium Retainers for our Cars. Below I provided the link to their site.

As for quality I have read that are pretty decent parts.

http://www.ferrea.com/sportcomp.php

 

Thanks for the heads up. I don't know why I thought they were retainers, but from what I've read it looks to be a pretty solid choice.