Stroker Performance Review

Yeah.. it makes my head hurt a bit.. It confirms though what made sense to me. Spring rate per inch X Shim thickness added to original spring load at original install height will give the new pressure assuming the springs test out to match what they are rated at.

It does got me thinking that maybe I couldn't run a .060 shim though. The cam is 600/615 lift at 1.5 and .018 lash. Seems like .060 could push it over just a bit. Though I am sure some is lost in inefficiencies with geometry but going by the numbers I guess it would be pushing it a bit.


A spring rate of 390 and a load of 120 tells you the spring is shortened by 0.308 when installed. With a 1.9 height, that's a "free" length of 2.208 before installation.

Spring load is equal to original length minus final length times rate. Or R*(Li-Lf).

You can also add load plus the quantity change in length times rate. For example, if the load is already 120 and you add 0.100 more preload, you can do the following: 120 + (390*0.100), which would be 120+39, or 159 lbs.

Also, subtract the added preload from max lift. If max lift was 0.650 and 0.100 of preload is added, max lift is now 0.550.

Clear as mud?