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Tell me about the 2008 GSX-R600 titanium valves - and their problems

Discussion in 'Tech' started by jkb4c, Feb 7, 2011.

  1. jkb4c

    jkb4c New Member

    Hey guys. I'm slowly moving in to the world of roadracing, and I've just finished my second full season of trackdays on an SV. I'm currently working on buying a 2008 GSX-R600, and I wanted to get some information on their valves from the folks who use them the hardest.

    I'm intending on using this GSXR both on the street and on the track. It will probably see 6 or 8 trackdays in the (slow) intermediate level this year, in addition to a lot of use on the street. I know that the titanium valves on this thing are regularly replaced by most people who are racing them.

    When do I need to start worrying about the valves, retainers, etc? I know that 8 days on the track at my level are not the same as running at the front of a WERA grid for a season, but hopefully you all can shed some light on this. Thanks!
     
  2. socalrider

    socalrider pathetic and rude

    cant really answer your question directly, but: i had 20K street miles and 6 track days on my 07 gsxr 600... no valve issues on it at all.
     
  3. boloson

    boloson Well-Known Member

    I ve never heard of any valve issues in any of the newer gsxr's. Maybe you're confusing a stock engine with a rebuild race engine?
     
    track wagon likes this.
  4. Brian Driver

    Brian Driver Well-Known Member

    Ive heard horror stories of the tips poping off at high revs. I know most of the uk engine builders replace them with stainless steel. We replaced our valves in our endurance bike with stainless. I know Army of Darkness had problems with them. In a street bike you shouldnt have any problems. If you race sprints you may not either but I would pullem out of an endurance bike. Just my openion.
     
  5. afm199

    afm199 Well-Known Member

    If you ride it on the street it will last a longgg time.. If you're spending most of your time in 13-14.5 rpm, you might have problems.

    And the earlier problems were due to the retainers most likely.
     
  6. jkb4c

    jkb4c New Member

    That's good to hear. I imagine mine will be treated similarly; hopefully I can expect no issues.


    The fact that you've never heard of any issues is just as good to me as another vote of confidence. I've spent a little time looking through the archive of this forum and I've seen the issue pop up a few times, and not necessarily relating to a race engine. I know that the 2008 GSX-R600 uses the same valves and retainers as the 2004+ bikes.

    This is something I would definitely look in to if I planned on racing it heavily, or if I still have it in 25k miles or so. Would the heavier stainless valves cause problems at high RPMs? Would this necessitate heavier valve springs, etc?

    Gotcha. Have the retainers been changed since these issues popped up?
     
  7. afm199

    afm199 Well-Known Member

    Dunno. You can go online and check fairly easily. 04 and 05 have different intakes than 06 07 and 08-09 have different intakes and exhausts than the earlier. But all ti.

    AFAIK builders who replace Ti with stainless have to go with stronger springs, retainers and collets, and get much more cam journal wear.

    PS I have two motors in garage where keepers broke and one dropped the valve and destroyed the motor. It happens.. Usually from race revs
     
  8. G2G

    G2G I feel the need

    Didn't get the answers you where looking for on CLSB huh Jason. Just ride the thing.
     
    K51000 likes this.
  9. metalkid88

    metalkid88 Well-Known Member

    We didnt have any problems with the valves but the valve seats were our problems. Burnt up an INTAKE thats right not even the exhaust valve on teh last round. Just shitty metal they use that werent lasting all to well.
     
  10. Pilotx1

    Pilotx1 Well-Known Member

    wrong bike steve, mines an 07
     
  11. dammyneckhurts

    dammyneckhurts Well-Known Member

    I have an 07 GSXR 600, bought new by me. It has only seen track duty, never been on the street.

    Did a valve inspection at about 10,000 miles and found a retainer that was broken into 3 pieces. Bike was running fine just before we pulled it apart. Dodged a bullet!
     
    K51000 likes this.
  12. afm199

    afm199 Well-Known Member

    For some reason, suzuki molded a nice little circle ring a couple mm deep into the top of the retainer, thus creating a perfect stress fracture line. I've got a couple of those retainers, all broken right on the molded circle line.
     
  13. jkb4c

    jkb4c New Member

    Out of curiosity, did your bike have the proper air/fuel ratio? Any ignition advance, or anything like that? Was this a stock engine?

    That is pretty lucky. What all goes into replacing the retainers after something like this? Is it much more involved than a valve adjustment?
     
  14. afm199

    afm199 Well-Known Member

    Just pull the head and remove them.
     
  15. PantyBuncher

    PantyBuncher Well-Known Member

    <<For some reason, suzuki molded a nice little circle ring a couple mm deep into the top of the retainer, thus creating a perfect stress fracture line. I've got a couple of those retainers, all broken right on the molded circle line.>>

    if it's the retainers that break, why do people replace valves ? not that i do, i usually just let nature run its course to really point out the problem. is there a non-oem keeper replacement available ?

    why bother pulling the head at all, don't people replace keepers with the head in place anymore ?
     
  16. metalkid88

    metalkid88 Well-Known Member

    Yes it was properly tuned, and no it was a full SS build
     
  17. afm199

    afm199 Well-Known Member

    Yoshimura makes some beautiful retainers and collets. I think they only cost $1200 or so. I don't replace valves unless they are burnt. Don't know why people do.

    It only takes a couple hours to drop a motor.
     
  18. Steeltoe

    Steeltoe What's my move?

    If one of these bikes indeed has a burnt valve what is advised? Replace the bad valve only? Complete top end rebuild?
     
  19. wera_123

    wera_123 Well-Known Member

    :beer:
     
  20. Spitz

    Spitz Well-Known Member



    If I was to go that far it would be a rebuild. Pay now or later. Of course there are always that floating bad luck that will hit you now and again though.
     

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