[Z06] What are the best valve springs
11-04-2009, 06:01 PM
#21
Le Mans Master
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Camotruk is right in every way, i bought PAC1518 springs myself from speedinc they listed 234 but they matched with speedinc price $179, and right now sitting in my home, they are hardened and heat treated so its strong. They are way pretty too.
as proper installation, always measure installed hieght before and after install, just use vernier caliper or simply use tape measure but write it down.
11-08-2009, 12:52 PM
#27
Burning Brakes
They are a bit higher pressures but not over the top in that regard.
I installed them on my LS6 after doing lots of research. I'm fortunate to have access to lots of engine design engineers and road racing folks. These came recommended hands down.
Katech uses them, and sells them. There are a couple of other outlets for them as well. Shop the best deal.
I do not suggest folk go with a drag racing designed spring as they have a couple of characteristics to consider:
Too much spring for the job, and not designed for max life or continuous service. A roadrace capable valve spring is a far better choice for a non-drag race, street driven vehicle.
Beehive springs really are the hot ticket for lower mass, valve control, and if they are designed and coated with the appropriate stuff... long lived. PSI has a good rep in racing circles for delivering springs that can live in differing envoronments.
Replace the valve seals while you are at it. The GM stock seals are very good and not out off line pricewise. At your about 40-50K miles the seals get a bit walloed out. You might as well tighten up the oil control as the seals are a no additional work change when the springs are being swapped.
PSI springs should wake the LS6 up a bit, particularly at higher revs.
I'm not suggesting that any other recommended spring won't do the job.
I'm just saying the PSI springs will. No drama, no drawbacks.
Take it from a guy who has access to most of the folks who really know the LS series.
I have no connection to PSI other than being a happy customer.
The specs for one of the spring recommened in the thread have a remarkable resemblance < spec wise > to the PSI I suggest. Might well be the very same spring marketed under another name.
Last edited by 1fastdog; 11-08-2009 at 05:34 PM.
11-14-2009, 10:16 AM
#30
Le Mans Master
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Well, I bought the spring compressor, air hose tool, new GM seals and a set of the PSI springs. As soon as I have all the stuff in my hands, I'll do the job. My total costs so far, and I dont expect any mrore, are $328. shipping for everything included. It seems like a small fee for a big piece of mind....I'll let you guys know how it goes!
11-14-2009, 12:40 PM
#31
Well, I bought the spring compressor, air hose tool, new GM seals and a set of the PSI springs. As soon as I have all the stuff in my hands, I'll do the job. My total costs so far, and I dont expect any mrore, are $328. shipping for everything included. It seems like a small fee for a big piece of mind....I'll let you guys know how it goes!
Last edited by Diceman9; 11-14-2009 at 12:51 PM.
12-21-2009, 09:29 PM
#32
MFIC
My PSI Maxlife LS1511ML, highly recomended by the shop that CNCed my 243 heads
1.290 OD Beehive
Max Life
.630 in ID
.625 max lift
130 lbs @ 1.800 installed height
370 lbs @ 1.175 open pressure
Spring rate 384 lbs
Coil Bind 1.100
1.290 OD Beehive
Max Life
.630 in ID
.625 max lift
130 lbs @ 1.800 installed height
370 lbs @ 1.175 open pressure
Spring rate 384 lbs
Coil Bind 1.100
12-22-2009, 09:54 AM
#33
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Yes, it is a daily driver. Just put 50K on it.
I take it EZ with the car. It is my second Vette. It gets a proper warmup, it is driven carefully until temp is up, oil changed regularly.
I am very familiar with the bulletin on the 2002 valve springs. Each time it happened, RPMs were low and I was very close to home.
I just want a good reliable set, I am not trying to increase performance or any of that other crap, I just want the valve springs to be as strong as the rest of the motor.
I was hoping that the current crop of OEM's would be better than the past, but they are probably not making current OEM's--they are probably from the same crap batch that the originals were.
I'll just take it to Rick at Synergy and have him fix it up the right way. My extended warranty is through the same folks that financed the car. Having an extended warranty through these people and their shop has its benefits. This isn't one of them.
I take it EZ with the car. It is my second Vette. It gets a proper warmup, it is driven carefully until temp is up, oil changed regularly.
I am very familiar with the bulletin on the 2002 valve springs. Each time it happened, RPMs were low and I was very close to home.
I just want a good reliable set, I am not trying to increase performance or any of that other crap, I just want the valve springs to be as strong as the rest of the motor.
I was hoping that the current crop of OEM's would be better than the past, but they are probably not making current OEM's--they are probably from the same crap batch that the originals were.
I'll just take it to Rick at Synergy and have him fix it up the right way. My extended warranty is through the same folks that financed the car. Having an extended warranty through these people and their shop has its benefits. This isn't one of them.
Last edited by kilingiros; 12-22-2009 at 09:56 AM.
12-24-2009, 12:20 AM
#35
Burning Brakes
I am considering the the PAC 1218's for my 2002 Z06 with stock engine and oem cam. I was thinking about the PAC 1518's - the cost differential is insignificant. But the recommendations I get is the 1518's are too much spring for the stock Z06 valve train. The PAC 1218's it seems are a great oem spring replacement.
12-24-2009, 12:26 AM
#36
Le Mans Master
I am considering the the PAC 1218's for my 2002 Z06 with stock engine and oem cam. I was thinking about the PAC 1518's - the cost differential is insignificant. But the recommendations I get is the 1518's are too much spring for the stock Z06 valve train. The PAC 1218's it seems are a great oem spring replacement.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ac-1518-a.html
I asked about the PAC 1215 or 1218 in a bone stock LS6 ... they seem to match the OEM spring specs - see Post #14 in link above.
Also look at Post #10 in the link above ... it's the PAC catalog that gives all the spring specs. Compare them to the stock cam and spring specs I show in Post #14.
Last edited by ZeeOSix; 12-24-2009 at 12:37 AM.
12-24-2009, 09:14 AM
#37
I wish that GM could have some input into this about thier spring failures......... but I know that not going to happen
12-24-2009, 09:18 AM
#38
More info on PAC valve springs ...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ac-1518-a.html
I asked about the PAC 1215 or 1218 in a bone stock LS6 ... they seem to match the OEM spring specs - see Post #14 in link above.
Also look at Post #10 in the link above ... it's the PAC catalog that gives all the spring specs. Compare them to the stock cam and spring specs I show in Post #14.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ac-1518-a.html
I asked about the PAC 1215 or 1218 in a bone stock LS6 ... they seem to match the OEM spring specs - see Post #14 in link above.
Also look at Post #10 in the link above ... it's the PAC catalog that gives all the spring specs. Compare them to the stock cam and spring specs I show in Post #14.
12-24-2009, 09:25 AM
#39
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This is my main concern about using aftermarket springs. Makes sense to me that using a stiffer spring over a stock one will put more stress on the other components. The valve train is designed to all work together. Like putting a 454 in a volkswagon somethings going to give. I do understand that using a higher pressure spring will probably work and work for sometime. With my background in engineering, I have to wonder in the back of my head that the push rods, rockers, etc. are seeing more stress that they are not designed for. Stress fatigue does not happen overnight but over time. (explains the valve spring failures)
I wish that GM could have some input into this about thier spring failures......... but I know that not going to happen
I wish that GM could have some input into this about thier spring failures......... but I know that not going to happen
LS6 this spring(no pun intended) and am leaning towards 1215's
12-24-2009, 09:56 AM
#40
I am actually leaning towards Stock springs hoping that there is a improvement. Not feeling too good about that either. My other choice is the PSI springs......however they have the higher spring rates also. Hmmmmmmm.....