Maxx Schlick

With some cars having valve failures resulting in exploded engines, I'm wondering if it is a good idea to replace my valves and springs as preventitive maintence.

My car is a 06 with 20,000 miles. The engine is stock except for the big Lingefelted Oil tank and an Aviad oil pan baffle.

It has Never been over reved, but it has seen thousands of red line shifts and done more track laps and drag strip passes than I can count.

If I were to replace the valves and springs, what are the the best parts to use?

Who would be the best Company to send my heads to?

Thanx in advance for any and all opinions.

0Myhardtop

Oh my goodness YES, replace them.

Not to infuse any fear but it is what it is. Some cars are fine while others...well, you know. Pay a little now or a lot more later.

You can remove your heads and send them to me, we will set it all up for $1,050 with milling (your specs), new springs, new locks, new keepers, new seals, new Ti retainers and ALL NEW Exhaust SS valves.

You can get your gaskets and bolts at your local GM dealership or buy from us and recieve FREE shipping on ALL parts!

I will MEET or BEAT any price of equal value.

How is that?

Thanks,
Carlos

LMBTom

Wow, with a deal like that, how can you refuse?

Though I don't believe we know exactly what is causing the issue yet. Was there any consensus on this? (fragile valves, worn valve guides, etc?)

Fartpipe

MyHardtop... does that do anything with the guides?

Dirty Howie

VetteVinnie

This is what is going in mine (exhaust valves):

http://www.ferrea.com/tech-ligher-more-power.php



"Ferrea came out with Hollow Stem Lightweight Valves four years ago revolutionizing the stainless steel valve market with a 22% lighter than your conventional stainless steel alloy valve. Made from exclusive Super Alloy materials, which they resist heat much better then conventional Inconel materials. Ferrea Hollow Stem Lightweight Valves are available in 7mm, 5/16, 11/32 and 3/8 stem diameters as well as semi finished blanks that we can machine for you application. Get the best in Valve technology today for your Race Engine!!!"

Fartpipe

Evil427 whats a set of those puppies cost and installed pricing?

VetteVinnie

Don't know. It's part of my Ragin' Racin' Stage 4 package. PM Shawn (Ragin Racin).

I am having them do a bunch of other stuff in the process, so I haven't seen a parts breakdown yet. Car is there now.

Those are the Super Alloy exhaust valves.

mirage2991

I don't see where he mentioned new guides...which are probably where the issue lays, since there other guys running those sodium filled valves with great success on raced LS7 (but with new guides)...seems to me one would want to replace those as well...

PureSwank

I don't think you should. My friends Z06 has 54k on it and he has treated the car exactly like you have. Car still runs awesome still going strong. Everything on it is completely stock as it came from GM. I think you are good to go.

mirage2991

you know, if he is really pushing the car on week-ends and doing alot of track time, it's always a good idea to do extra maintnance, and that includes pulling the heads for a refresh. I'd concider looking into new springs.

0Myhardtop

I've seen many cases where some guides are just plain beat up. In the case of my ride, two of my guides were looking very iffy

I do drive hard so

On the flip side, I've seen less than 5K miles "grocery-getters" drop a valve. It's 50/50 amigos, it really is. You can get lucky and drive for 100k miles and not have any issues. Or, hope for the best but if not, then let’s hope the damage is minimal.

Best/worst case, busted valve and perhaps a guide or two, seats and that's that. Worse/worse case: busted valve, jagged up piston, and cracked sleeve, chewed up CC…bye bye head and perhaps a new short block. No scare tactics, just the plain truth. Look around you!!!!

I replaced my exh valves with one piece SS units, new guides, new springs kit and I'm never looking back

Thanks,
Carlos

Sinister04L

Does that price include dual springs capable of supporting a lot of lift?

mirage2991

I think if your 06 is out of warranty, op, it would be a good idea to yank the heads and have them checked. IF nothing is wrong with them, it won't cost you 1k to have them checked out. Just mostly labor on your part, new hardware, head gaskets and a couple bills for the shop to mic the valves and guides...if they don't check out, then install new guides and parts...if they do, you'll have piece of mind for 500 bucks or less...it's an easy choice I think, no?

C6LSx

Given that your probably out of warranty or have perhaps tuned the original PCM; I would absolutely replace the cylinder heads!

With that said; its well worth the little that you'll pay now given taking a chance and dropping an exhaust valve later and potentially grenading your entire LS7 engine.

IMO its just not worth the risk of taking the chance.

mirage2991

just trade the car in...it's time.



lol

Bernd

Ferrea only lists the hollow stem valves for LS7 intake. Do they sell LS7 exhaust valves, also? What is the weight and price?

0Myhardtop

How much lift?

Have to ask because....

Thanks,
Carlos

VetteVinnie

I guess they're not the hollow stem. They're listed under "Super Alloy".

CHEVROLET SMALL BLOCK - LS7
Part # / Type / Head Dia. / Stem Dia. / Overall Length / Tip Length / References

F1598P / E / 1.615 / 0.313 / 5.227 /.180 / 15º Flo.Rad.Grov.Sup.Alloy.Turbo Application
F1597P / E / 1.615 / 0.313 / 5.227 / .180 / 24º Flo.Rad.Grov.Sup.Alloy.Turbo Application

Randy@RaginRacin

We use the F1598P Ferrea Valve