The Racing Force of Springs
Case Study: Force measurement testing of valve springs pushed development of high-performance engines and led an engine builder to success in NASCAR
The L.S. Starrett Company Athol, MA, USA www.starrettmetrology.com/force
One of the most mission-critical applications for springs lies in the valvetrain of high-performance rac- ing engines. Recoiling 75 times per second, even the slightest, typically undetectable difference in prime functionality of the springs can easily cost a race. It is the one of the highest stressed components in a racing engine. Indeed, a racing engine valve spring is anala- gous to a valve in the human heart, even though their lifespans differ profoundly. To maximize performance, racing valve springs are only designed to last 700 to 1000 miles! Roush Yates Engines (RYE) of Mooresville, NC, USA, and its manufacturing division, Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions (RYMS) , knows all too well how critical springs are to its success. So, when The L.S. Starrett Company recommended that RYE con- sider evaluating the use of its force testing equipment as a very finite means of measurement for determining
load characteristics of its valve springs, it took them up on the offer in 2019 and began using a Starrett FMS-5000 Force Testing System to provide extensive load data and analysis. What RYE discovered was very revealing, and it led to a totally new paradigm for its spring testing. Demanding Performance, Precision RYE has three well-equipped quality labs which have the tools necessary to measure and inspect a wide variety of parts being manufactured and supplied for its racing engines as well as for external customers. RYE is the exclusive engine builder of Ford Perfor- mance racing teams in the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series . In addition, Roush Yates Manufacturing Solu- tions (RYMS) is a precision CNC parts manufacturing division of Roush Yates Engines with expertise in the multi-axis machining of metal and plastic parts with complex geometries. RYMS’ in-house production includes machined solutions for the Ford’s FR9 V8 NASCAR programs, chassis motorsports components, aerospace, defense, medical and high-tech industries. RYMS’ quality management system is AS9100 Rev D & ISO 13485 certified, as well as International Traffic in Arms (ITAR) and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliant. Recoiling 75 times per second, valve springs in a high-performance race engine can make the difference on achieving a win or a loss, requiring accurate, reliable force testing to determine load characteristics. Eric Kerley, Valvetrain Engineer, Roush Yates Engines performing valve spring load testing on Starrett FMS 5000 Force System. Image courtesy of Roush Yates Engines.
Through a collaborative development process, engineering experience and state-of-the- art test equipment, Roush Yates Engines is able to setup tests in lab environments which closely represent on-track operating conditions. Image courtesy of Roush Yates Engines.
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Wire Forming Technology International/Fall 2025
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