Howards Cams Engine Valve Spring

Howards Cams Engine Valve Springs: Race-Proven Valvetrain Precision

When a camshaft profile is only as effective as the springs holding the valves in check, choosing the right valve spring becomes one of the most critical decisions in any performance engine build. Howards Cams has been engineering valvetrain components since the company's founding in 1945, and their engine valve springs reflect decades of on-track development that sets them apart from generic replacement options.

A Legacy Built on Valvetrain Engineering

Howards Cams — originally founded as “Howards Power & Racing Equipment” by Howard Johansen — has always paired its legendary camshafts with purpose-matched valvetrain hardware. That philosophy carries directly into their valve spring lineup. As a manufacturer deeply embedded in circle track, drag racing, road racing, and marine performance, Howards understands that a spring must work in harmony with the cam profile it supports. Their R&D teams continually update materials and manufacturing techniques to stay at the cutting edge of valve spring technology.

Materials and Manufacturing That Matter

Howards Cams performance valve springs are constructed from aircraft-grade chrome silicon wire, a material chosen for its resistance to heat fatigue and consistent spring rates under repeated cycling. Every spring is coiled, stress-relieved, deburred, shot-peened, and heat-treated to Howards Cams’ strict internal standards — a multi-step process that ensures dimensional accuracy and long service life whether the application is a mild street build or an all-out race engine.

Spring Styles for Every Application

Howards offers a wide variety of spring configurations to match different camshaft profiles and engine architectures:

• Single with Damper – Designed for flat tappet applications where harmonics control is essential, offering up to 540 lbs/in spring rates in compact 1.260" O.D. packages.
• Dual (Double) Springs – Ideal for high-lift mechanical roller and aggressive hydraulic roller cams; available in diameters from roughly 1.437" to 1.625" with open pressures reaching well over 500 lbs.
• Beehive Singles – A modern taper-wound design that reduces retainer mass and valvetrain harmonics, available in performance kits with chromoly steel retainers and 7-degree locks.
• Conical Springs – Progressive-rate conical designs offer a natural frequency advantage over traditional cylindrical springs, helping suppress float at high RPM.
• Pro-Alloy & Pacaloy Mechanical Roller – Purpose-built for extreme-duty mechanical roller cam applications, with triple-spring assemblies and spring rates up to 743 lbs/in or more for serious competition use.

Matched to the Cam, Ready for the Track

One of Howards Cams’ key advantages in the valve spring category is that their springs are engineered to complement their own camshaft grinds. Howards also offers complete Performance Valve Spring and Retainer Kits that bundle matched springs, heat-treated valve locks, and retainers into a single part number — eliminating the guesswork of sourcing compatible hardware separately. These kits are available for popular platforms including GM LS-series engines, Chevrolet small and big block applications, and Ford platforms.

Whether you're upgrading a street/strip muscle car, building a dedicated circle track motor, or refreshing a marine performance engine, Howards Cams engine valve springs deliver the precision, material quality, and application-specific engineering that serious builders demand. Browse the full selection below and explore the complete Howards Cams brand catalog for matching camshafts, lifters, and valvetrain accessories.