Howards Cams Extreme Black Valves Are Built For Extreme Power

When spec-ing and building a high-horsepower engine, it’s important to keep two things in mind. The first is how a component will improve performance, and the second is how a component will increase durability. Often, it seems speed parts get you either great performance for a short amount of time or added durability with a little less power. Howards Cams is one of those companies that likes people to have their cake and eat it too, and that’s most apparent in products like their Extreme Black valves.

Specifically designed to add both performance and durability to high-horsepower applications, Extreme Black valves are made from one-piece forged high-temperature stainless alloy that features a high nickel content. After being CNC finished to strict tolerances, they’re subjected to a black nitride process in which the nitride actually becomes part of the stainless alloy. That creates a surface hardness which, in addition to exceeding the base stainless material, completely outperforms chrome-plated stems. And because the nitride is more than a simple coating, there is no chance of it wearing or flaking off.

In addition to being stronger than steel and chrome-plated valves, Howards Cams Extreme Black valves perform extremely well in high temperatures. The black nitride process improves heat dissipation, allowing the valves to run cooler under extreme conditions. The nitride surface is also smoother than traditional chrome, improving efficiency by decreasing friction between the stem and guides to optimize valve motion. By combining superior heat control and unmatched surface hardness with lower friction and high-flow performance, the valves operate more smoothly, run cooler, and last longer.

Designed to meet the harsh demands of the most severe motorsports and performance applications, Extreme Black valves resist wear even during extreme cylinder pressures. The valves’ precise machining, which includes undercut stems, translates to improved high-rpm performance that you can actually feel. Whether you’re in something that’s naturally aspirated, or something that features nitrous, a turbo, or a supercharger, Howards Cams Extreme Black valves will provide increased durability and a notable power gain in situations where reliability and performance margins are critical.

Howards offers Extreme Black Valves in five different sizes for LS engines: 1.600-inch valves are available in 4.920-inch and 5.020-inch lengths. 2.080-inch valves are available with a 4.900-inch length, and 2.165-inch valves are available in 4.900-inch and 5.000-inch lengths. For LS builds where consistency, durability, and real performance gains matter, Extreme Black valves provide a foundation you can trust—lap after lap, pass after pass.