what valve springs do you use to replace the stockers on magnum heads? ive heard of using beehive springs and ive also heard of them cracking. whats a good replacement? no more than .540 lift...

I use Hughes 1110 springs for my RHS heads.

hughes 1110 springs are the best drop on for maximizing lift potential. depending on your engine, .540" lift might be too much to ask from those springs. all depends on IH. you'll need different retainers, since they're a straight spring. I got mine off of a pair of 2.2L's in a junkyard. my OEM magnum castings, using magnum keepers, 2.2L retainers, and the hughes springs, I needed to sink the valves about .030" to get enough installed height for .540" lift. of course, seal to retainer needs to be checked. without sinking the valves, I would have only had enough seal to retainer clearance for ~.510-.520" lift.

man. im trying to do these without having to machine anything. i guess all i really need is a stiffer spring for a little more control. .510" would be enough for me.

hughes 1110 springs w/their retainers and stock locks, or with retainers from a 2.2L/2.5L mopar is your best bet.

GM3100 springs are much stiffer than stock springs, but at least on my heads, using the 3100 springs/retainers allowed no more lift capacity than the stockers (~.480" lift to keep adequate coil bind clearance)

Many Dakota performance guys (including myself) run the mopar performance P4876062 spring. Good for .600 lift.