Volume I, Issue 1, Page 20

When picking a Beehive style valve spring, consider:

- Engine parameters: pushrod stiffness, rocker arm ratio, valve weight, cam profile, engine speed range, and estimated camshaft lift

- Do they fit my current configuration valve seat diameter?

- Do they fit the proper installed height for my cylinder head/valve train?

- Do they have the proper seat pressure for the camshaft I have selected?

- Do they encounter coil bind at any point in the spring’s compression?
- If I am running a roller mechanical camshaft, are they appropriate for the application?

- Go with the spring with the lowest seat pressure and highest natural "frequency" (lowest resonance).

COMP Cams PN# 26123 Ford 4.6L 4-V Beehive Valve Springs

Beehive springs are shaped like cylinders at the bottom and gradually get smaller towards the top. These springs employ their powerful shape to deliver excellent performance, yet don’t require the extreme seat pressures needed with standard style valve springs. With lower seat pressures, valve train components -- especially the pushrods, rockers and lifters -- are less stressed to perform the same work. Effectively Beehive springs can increase the engine’s upper rpm range over stock cylindrical springs.

How? The smaller coils at the top of the Beehive spring don’t require as much force to get the valve moving more quickly than conventional style springs. The higher rpm potential equates to better valve and engine performance.

"It’s like watching a racecar running 60-foot elapsed times on the drag strip," stated Bill Godbold, Research & Development Engineer/Cam Design for COMP Cams. "For example, take two identical cars with equivalent 500 hp engines. One has stock suspension and the other a sophisticated racing suspension. The car with the race suspension will get going more quickly and achieve better 60-foot times. The same principle works with Beehive spring mechanics."


COMP Cams PN# 26918 GM LS1 Beehive Valve springs

Resistance

If there is one challenge to the beehive revolution, it’s public perception. While most engine builders and performance enthusiasts know that the Beehive spring is beneficial, many don’t realize the true benefits. Some established enthusiasts are confused and concerned that the smaller retainer and the single spring used in the Beehive are incapable of handling the same high performance loads carried by the conventional spring with larger-size retainers and inner and outer coils.

"There are some very knowledgeable engine builders who don’t understand how a single-coil spring can be better than a dual-coil conventional spring," stated Thomas Griffin, Research & Development Engineer/Valve Spring Engineer for COMP Cams. "The fact is the Beehive spring, by virtue of the ovate spring shape and a variety of engineering improvements, is compatible with many applications where a dual spring is used. That includes some engines used with mechanical roller camshafts. The key is to review the required camshaft load and assess the aggressiveness of the camshaft.