NEW +1mm TIII Lotus Head Intake and Exhaust Valves

[Chris W]

We recently established a relationship with a company that manufactures custom intake and exhaust valves. They are willing to do a short run of +1mm Intake and Exhaust valves for the Lotus head 16-V engines. Before we invest in this venture we wanted to see how many people would be interested in these valves and if anyone had additional design requests other then the +1mm larger size.


Chris-TU

[ShelGame]

I have plans to build a NA race engine using a Lotus head. I think these would be great. But, I'm not in a position to buy them today, unfortunately...

[Pat]

I'd definitely be interested in learning more about them, including possible costs. I also may have a few ideas to pass on.

Thanks Chris.

[turbovanman²]

I am interested for sure as my engine is coming apart soon.

[rx2mazda]

Yes yes yes!!!!

[86Shelby]

I'm definitely interested in learning more about them. Thank you for doing some legwork for these!

[forcedfedmopar]

im intersested in these. cost would be a factor.

[Lotashelbys]

What material would they be made out of?

[bakes]

i would be in for a set in mid summer

[turbovanman²]

i would be in for a set in mid summer

What for?????????

[Ondonti]

Still need to talk to the machine shop about fitting a +4 +3 setup, or at least a +3 +3 setup.

Most likely just on the intake side. The cheap way of doing the exhaust valves is just cutting down the intake valve.

My custom valves cost ~$32 each for top of the line solid Stainless Ferrea valves (the best solid stainless they sell). That was priced through my machine shop that can cut deals. Someone else I know paid double what I did for custom 3.0 valves because his shop raped him.

Still, $20-38 per valve is the price I would expect unless chris has magic to work.

8 large oversize intake valves for $20-30 each would be a great deal for people who don't want to fight with valve companies. Chris, I would actually look into having someone who can cut down TIII intake valves to make exhaust valves (if this can save money) and then try to make a long term supplier for intake valves. You could easily work that into 8 valve and 2.4L cylinder heads etc. The fact is that valve manufacturers will make any custom valve, the problem is sometimes they are too lazy to want to run the process. My shop got turned down by a cheaper valve shop the moment they heard what motor it was for...even though they will do 70 year old one off flathead valves with no questions asked.

So if you are saying 250 for a whole set might be possible....then I think you can definitely put me down for a +4 or +3 set of intake valves (8) for ~$175-200?

[Austrian Dodge]

how large/small is the gap between intake and exhaust valves on the t3 head?

[4cefedomni]

i would be in for a set in mid summer

Do tell??????????

[turbovanman²]

Still need to talk to the machine shop about fitting a +4 +3 setup, or at least a +3 +3 setup.

Most likely just on the intake side. The cheap way of doing the exhaust valves is just cutting down the intake valve.

My custom valves cost ~$32 each for top of the line solid Stainless Ferrea valves (the best solid stainless they sell). That was priced through my machine shop that can cut deals. Someone else I know paid double what I did for custom 3.0 valves because his shop raped him.

Still, $20-38 per valve is the price I would expect unless chris has magic to work.

8 large oversize intake valves for $20-30 each would be a great deal for people who don't want to fight with valve companies. Chris, I would actually look into having someone who can cut down TIII intake valves to make exhaust valves (if this can save money) and then try to make a long term supplier for intake valves. You could easily work that into 8 valve and 2.4L cylinder heads etc. The fact is that valve manufacturers will make any custom valve, the problem is sometimes they are too lazy to want to run the process. My shop got turned down by a cheaper valve shop the moment they heard what motor it was for...even though they will do 70 year old one off flathead valves with no questions asked.

So if you are saying 250 for a whole set might be possible....then I think you can definitely put me down for a +4 or +3 set of intake valves (8) for ~$175-200?

Trouble is, the intake valves probably won't survive being exhaust valves, unless they are the right material.

[Ondonti]

Trouble is, the intake valves probably won't survive being exhaust valves, unless they are the right material.

as far as I know they are the same material on the stock lotus....?

I do know Wallace has already gotten away with using exhaust valves on the intake side for his race Omni's motor.

[glhs0426]

as far as I know they are the same material on the stock lotus....?

I do know Wallace has already gotten away with using exhaust valves on the intake side for his race Omni's motor.

You mean intake valves on the exhaust side.

Wallace told me the intake and exhaust valves are made of the same material.

[turbovanman²]

as far as I know they are the same material on the stock lotus....?

I do know Wallace has already gotten away with using exhaust valves on the intake side for his race Omni's motor.

Doesn't that motor have no seat time?

Kidding aside, if that's true, that's awesome news,

[Lotashelbys]

I know someone who can get an exact metalurgical makeup of the factory Lotus intake and exhaust valves. I might have to do that. I thought the exhaust valves had Inconel in them for the high heat that the TIII puts out EGT wise......

[Ondonti]

That was a pretty bad typo on my part there. Interested to hear more on the product. I think most TIII's that get this treatment won't be seeing 200,000 miles on the valves so I am not going to freak out about material as long as its quality stainless.

[turbovanman²]

That was a pretty bad typo on my part there. Interested to hear more on the product. I think most TIII's that get this treatment won't be seeing 200,000 miles on the valves so I am not going to freak out about material as long as its quality stainless.

Speak for yourself,