SteveDoten

JULY 2012; I HAVE THE GMPP NEW BLUE SPRINGS IN STOCK READY FOR INSTALLATION, $220 PLUS PARTS(GM SPRINGS ARE $75), TURNAROUND TIME IS 3-4 HOURS; AMERICAN RACING HEADERS WITH NEW GM SPRINGS INSTALLED.............$1895

I've been swapping out LS1/2/6 motors since 2005, mostly to support the increased power of FI(forced induction) builds, it's a shame to replace a LS6 due to a $10 valvespring that has failed.

Goal: to educate the owners/potential owners of C5Z06's the potential mishap that may occur and perhaps narrow down the year/VIN sequence of the affected LS6's

Discrepancy: Possible OEM GM valvespring failure in 100% stock or mild bolt on LS6's, the VS failure/cracking often leads to PISTON to Cylinder Head VALVE contact, resulting in piston/valve and engine block FAILURE

Corrective Action: Replace OEM GM valvesprings with upgraded VS or 'known good' GM OEM part; common upgrade VS's are PAC1518

PICS below are from a bone stock 2002 Z06, valvespring failed, piston/block failure

SteveDoten

more pics later

Please post or PM data: Year/mileage/last 6 of VIN and/or build month

Please PM if you feel I can improve the information provided in any way

zo659

2002/46941 miles /vin 132852 / 05/02 build No broken springs/replaced them due all the horror stories. 3 hrs of your time to save your motor seems like a good deal to me.

milt IV

Good idea for thread.

Torqaholic

2003 Z06 61K miles -



vin xxxxxxxxxx08765

halp

For all the broken springs that I've heard about I'm surprised that more owners have not posted here. It would be nice if a trend could be seen.

sothpaw2

Someone will have to do some searches and post all the old ones up. There were a couple of good threads.

Has anyone ever heard of a failure of GM replacement springs (ie purchased 2005 or later)?

bing44

'02 Z; three instances of broken springs, one costing $3K, before I got it. I broke one and replaced them all with Comp 981s. There were three colors of springs when I started. What a bunch of morons to not replace them all. I'll get VIN and miles (~75K) later. I just wanted to get subscribed here.

jim

doveboat

02 Z06 - Stock Motor

23k Miles

May 02 Build

As preventive maintenance just changed out the original springs (yellow's) with the PSI Beehives (Iskendarian "Tool Room").

The yellow's looked fine, PSI's are in and working as designed.

Hope this data point helps others make an informed decision.

Ed

cor28vettes

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2780048

SteveDoten

I'll start the list shortly

year/build date/last 6 of VIN/mileage/color of spring

seems yellow is common here.......

Thread is going slow, I will try to keep it up top, Don't want someone to spend 4-6k on a motor swap for a $10 spring

I just bought a 2003 Z06, 130,000 miles, ONE valvespring replaced by dealer

Zeus-of-Boost

I have always wondered why people don't see the true benefits of running a duel springs

SteveDoten

PSI/PAC/Comp and many others also make great singles

wSc*daywalker

Hey Guys,

I have a 2002 Z06 with 13K miles on it and I´m curious if I also should change my valve springs.....I will install in about 2 weeks Kooks 7/8 Longtubes and X-Pipe and dyno the car, would you recommend a valve spring upgrade and if yes, which ones are the best to go? I plan late this year, starting next year to put another cam in the car, will the springs then be compatible?

Thanks, Rouven.

doveboat

My shop recommended the PSI Beehive singles for my stock motor.

I did not limit cost and told them I was looking for durability.

I will let those knowledgeable about the difference / pros & cons of a dual vs single chime in.

Ed

doveboat

No easy answer for you on this, the failures seem to be random across the 02's & 03's.

Assuming a failure that took out the block.

I weighed the effects of a failure on a road course at speed, which would be - potential crash, oil & fire risk, tow to shop 150 miles away, no LS6 Crates being made, $8 to $9k cost of new motor, new clutch (while they are apart), add remote bleeder, etc.

For me the approx $500 cost was worth the risk. Also, if I sell to an informed buyer I would think my car will sell faster / get me $500 higher price.

We spend $500 for many appearance mods, this spend, while frustrating because of the issue being so random has allowed me to enjoy my car more as I am no longer paranoid about a failure.

Thanks Steve for leading this effort. I chuckled when I read your comment about your car having "one" new spring. Warranty work at it's best, do the bare minimum to keep the car running.

Ed

wSc*daywalker

Hm alright that sound really like a potential risk I don´t want to have.
Which springs do you guys recommend then? And are they compatible to a bigger camshaft or would they have to be changed again? As I said I plan the cam update later this year. How much does this upgrade normaly cost? And would you also perform other work at the same time knowing I will dyno my car?

Thanks, Rouven.

65vet396

02 w/23000 miles /100833 build 7/17/01
Stock motor - no valve spring problem

aerodan

I've a 2002 Z06. At about 93k miles a valvespring broke. Valve and piston collided and blew a hole about 2" across in the piston. The rod then shattered in the center, and the end of the rod attached to the crank beat holes in the block.

Last six of my VIN is 124995.

Thousands of dollars and 8 months later I've a forged 403 I mostly built and am currently tuning.

aerodan

I've a friend a few miles away with a 2002 Z06 that broke a valve spring as well. His piston had about 1/3rd of it missing. The rod was twisted, but in tact. At least he didn't have to buy a new block.