Tech Tips

Super Flo vs. Flo

These Super-Flo valves (often referred to as under-cut or Neck-down), actually reduce the stem diameter in the port area. This increases flow over “straight” stem diameter (Flo valves) considerably without adverse effect on reliability.To properly establish the amount of reduction in the stem, several factors have to be considered, such as: original stem diameter, valve head thickness and diameter, valve material, engine application, etc. There is also extensive testing conducted to reach the most efficient combination.

Valve Materials

Proper material choice for the application is crucial to the valve performance and reliability. The extreme change of temperature to a valve in the combustion chamber area (in excess of 1600ºF) and in the intake manifold area (up to -25ºF), can cause “thermal fatigue”. The material’s ability to resist these drastic thermal variations is crucial to the valve life. This is why Ferrea is constantly testing and evaluating new materials and processes to provide the highest level of “fatigue resistance” in the industry.

Competition Plus Valves

Ferrea Competition Plus Valves have built a reputation as the industry's most reliable extreme duty valve. Ferrea are dedicated to providing the absolute best product on the market. Our extensive R & D programs provide technological gains, which are implemented in each of our competition plus valves. They are engineered for high RPM, high horsepower racing engines, and are chosen by many top NASCAR, Drag, Oval & Sprint Car - racing teams.

Ferrea Lightweight Lifters

Ferrea Lightweight Pro Solid Lifter is precisely that weighing in at just 59 grams. Forged from super clean Tool Steel alloy ensures greater molecular density, increased resistance strength and durability to higher levels of compressive stresses. Dyno and track tests have proven with Ferrea Lightweight Pro Solid Lifters plus Ferrea Hollow Stem Lightweight Valves cranks out an additional 500-650 RPM more by reducing approximately a pound of reciprocating mass from the motor. Forged reinforced pushrod seat ensures reliability and pressurized oiling lubrication when using high valve spring pressures at high RPM levels. Critically lubricated through a .025” EDM’d hole for increased oil delivery at all times and extend cam lobe-face to lifter cycle life for today’s sophisticated and demanding Oval Track cam profiles.

Hollow Stem Valves

The valves also feature friction welded tips, radial grooves, avionics chrome plated stems, seat hardness up to 42 HRc and super flo to improve flow design. Weight reduction in valve-train components is an important factor in increasing engine rpm’s. Generally, the valve is the heaviest component in the valve-train (in terms of inertial and fulcrum weight).

Reducing this weight without sacrificing structural integrity is a balance that is not easily accomplished. Ferrea Racing Components latest contribution in this area is our Lightweight Hollow Stem Valves. We developed a proprietary manufacturing process that gun drills and micro polishes the bore of a valve stem. This proprietary process insures greater structural integrity than any hollow valve on the market today.

This achieves a valve reduction in weight of approximately 20 percent compared to a conventional stainless steel solid stem valve. The valves also feature friction welded tips, radial grooves, avionics chrome plated stems, seat hardness up to 42HRc and Super Flo designs to improve flow.

5000 Series Valves

The 5000 Series Valves have become the alternative for performance engine builders that use our competitors “street” or “performance valve”. These valves are machined in our CNC centers allowing tight tolerances and cost effective design. They feature a one-piece forging made from stainless steel, a special heat treatment process, hard chrome stems, and hard tip.

Most applications are available in an undercut stem and dished head, while other applications are available in straight stem and flat head. These valves provide our customers with maximum value for their dollar, and are designed for Street Performance engines, mildly modified Drag and Oval Track applications.

These valves are available for both the traditional Domestic performance and racing engine market and the Sport Compact performance and racing market. Many of the 5000 series valves feature flat combustion chamber faces to help increase compression in naturally aspirated engines.

6000 Series Valves

The 6000 Series Competition Valves are designed to provide excellent reliability in an environment of high spring pressures and roller cams, at a budget price. They have higher fatigue resistance and tensile strengths than our competitor’s best offerings. These valves can be used in Drag and Oval Track racing applications.

To manufacture the valves Ferrea use our exclusive two-step slow forging process using EV8 stainless steel on both intake and exhaust valves. Ferrea provide a special heat-treatment and stress relieving process, along with hard chrome stems and friction-welded hard tips. Ferrea finish with a swirl polished head.

The valves feature flow improvements to deliver the power needed for today’s sophisticated racing engines. These valves are available for both the traditional Domestic performance and racing engine market and the Sport Compact performance and racing market.

Super Alloy Valves

The super alloy valves represent the highest level of sophistication in valve technology. These valves are designed to handle the extreme heat requirements and punishment of today’s Nitro Fuels, Supercharged, Turbocharged, Nitrous Oxide, and Marine race motors.

Many Top Fuel and Funny Car teams can confirm the performance and reliability of these valves which are now available for many engine combinations including Drag Race, Time Attack, Road Race, Endurance and Marine applications. Ferrea have expanded our offerings for the Top/Fuel and Funny/Car applications with a Super Alloy Valve available for every after-market head in both 11/32 & 3/8-stem sizes. Ferrea super alloy valve program within the Sport Compact market is second to none. Ferrea manufacture valves for racing teams around the world competing in World Rally Challenge, Drag Racing, and Road Racing.

Titanium Valves

Ferrea offers the finest titanium valve on the market. Our extensive R&D facility is constantly implementing new designs and processes, which continue to keep us in the forefront of engine valve technology. Ferrea manufacture each valve by forging a special high temperature titanium alloy with silicon.

This high-temp alloy is considered a “special upgrade” by our competitors; however, it has been the standard material in all of our exhaust and some intake valves for years. The valves then undergo an extensive heat treatment and stress-relieving process to ensure molecular integrity and prolong the valve’s life. Each Ferrea titanium valve is meticulously machined in our own precision CNC machining centers where it must pass extensive quality control procedures.

Our proprietary Chrome Nitride (CrN) coating sets the standard for valve manufacturers around the world. Our unique CrN coating is applied uniformly to the entire valve, forming a protective insulating barrier from high engine temperatures. Ferrea’s CrN coating provides rapid heat dissipation to the valve guide surface, friction reduction, wear resistance, hardness, and allows dynamic valve train forces and valve flex stresses without delaminating or flaking. All of our special processes provide maximum performance and reliability, affording longer life in today’s professional racing engines.

Ferrea Valve Forging Process

In the production of our "one piece forging valve," the head of the valve is forged under a slow two-step process to avoid damage to the material structure. The forging piece is then machined entirely to eliminate any imperfection from the forging operation. Next is triple heat treatment, the stress-relief process, the grinding, and then the coating. Finally the valve stem is rolled to remove the rough scale and any gross imperfection on the surface. Ultrasonic tests and x-rays are then performed piece-by-piece to give each part a certified quality.

Lighter Equals More Power

Ferrea came out with Hollow Stem Lightweight Valves years ago revolutionizing the stainless steel valve market with a 22% lighter than your conventional stainless steel alloy valve. Made from exclusive Super Alloy materials, which they resist heat much better then conventional Inconel materials. Ferrea Hollow Stem Lightweight Valves are available in 7mm, 5/16, 11/32 and 3/8 stem diameters as well as semi finished blanks that Ferrea can machine for you application. Get the best in Valve technology today for your Race Engine!!!