look at this 323 with a curveneck ze hittin over 9000rpm...with interprep valvesprings and cams on STOCK ZE retainers and locks
94+ there is an improved retainer http://videos.streetfire.net/category/M ... 1c52ba.htm
The KLZE retainers are based on production date and not what cams they came with. late-94 saw a proper intake valve spring retainer which is NOT prone to breakage. Early ZE's, both with KL31 and KL01 cams had weaker/improper fitting retainers that were prone to split. I have a late 94 ZE that came with KL01 cams, when i removed the first retainer in my DE spring swapover I saw that the retainer was of the updated kind and thus havent bothered changing them. I now have KL31 cams in this engine and synthetic 5w-20 oil and I hit the rev limiter several times a day with no worry at all.
Quote:
Originally Posted by reallyniceguy
Its not that zes have weak retainers but the weay the springs are shaped. Flat splrings beat on the retainer. Round doesnt.
This is NOT TRUE. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the springs. The problem is indeed the early-style retainers. Not only were they too thin around keepers/locks, but the keepers/locks also did not sit flush inside the retainer, eventually cracking (splitting actually from the outward force of the improperly seated valve keepers).