S54 valvetrain problem in turbo use. Shims popping out

[saMuli]

It was 3th time I popped valve shim out from the exhaust side. Do you have this kind of problem on turbo s54 and how you solve this or how to minimais it?

I drive drifting in Finland and I think that s54 is not the best engine to that kind of use. Great engine but not likeing push to the limiter so long. I know that my ecu is too hard on the limiter (8100rpm) because Tatech has only ignition cut type limeter. It goes hard bang bang bang and then valves lose their control and shims pop off. Followers and retainers wear fast in make room to shims fly out of their seats.

I have Supertech springs, retainers titanium, followers dlc and valves. Stock cams.

Exhaust backpressure has some kind of role, I think. So now I try bigger turbo (gtx 4294) but it didnt help. Now my retainers and followers are so bad shape that I have to buy new one. Mayby think new springs too because they do their work so bad.

Any ideas to solve this out? And what parts do you think can handle this?

I use 1,7 bar boost now. Turbo lag is too big too. Nothing power below 4500rpm. That big 4294 was mistake. I take it because it work so well in 2jz. Mayby I buy 2jz next winter. It makes 1000nm already when s54 is just starting to spool.

Samuli

[saMuli]

Just find out that I have no spring pressure left in one exhaust valve. So the shim has pop of and follower has banging too deep in to the retainer and broke valve lock. So close to drop valve while racing. I have som luck but I dont feeling it right now. All I can say that I dont trust Supertech anymore. Parts are very old, buyed before 2009. But in use in 2015->. I have heard that earlyline supertech s54 parts has some problems. Sizes and how they sit. This is only rumor though...

[Skimmy_76]

Playing around with your Vanos can give torque way earlier.
Given your ecu and tuner can do it.

https://youtu.be/SfU6PghqSjs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Norwegian tuner doing it, from 300 wnm to 650 wnm just from the Vanos advancing 30° on intake cam.

[M535fredrik]

Hi!

I had problems with the early retainers from supertech in my S54.
When I contacted Supertech they sent me new ones with latest design on goodwill, so in my opinion they are a very good and serious supplier.
What I did more is that I now use stock springseat and a 1mm shim, it gives about 10kg more in valve-to-seat pressure and the springs are linear.

So far, no issues with this setup.

//Fredrik

[Joachim]

You also need to use fuelcut instead og ignition cut.

[saMuli]

Supertech has new solution for S54 shim problem. Lash caps. Any thoughts?

I was emailing direct to st factory. They say that there is no parts that make shim problem away. They have tried it for years. However they have this new lash cap solution. But they say this not gonna work with antilag either. I dont use antilag but I really dont trust this lash cap system make the whole problem away. And if this lash cap fail and pop out, there is a big mesh in valvetrain.