argonaut

The LS6 in my C5 has about 45 track hours on it (~14500 combined street and track miles). I have had the oil tested twice - Sept of last year and most recently in Jun of this year. Both reports showed that the Copper PPM was high and accelerating: it was 80PPM last Sept and is now 115PPM. (universal ave. reported by Blackstone is in the 30-40PPM range).

As best anyone has been able to tell me the high copper is most likely due to bronze valve guides. Does this sound correct?

I want to do some preventitive maintenance here. At a minimum I want to change the valve springs but the high copper has me concerned and I'm thinking the whole heads will need to be rebuilt. Can anyone offer some guidance or advice on what you'd do?

The motor is internally bone stock. I do have long tube headers, and ECS tune and K&N intake. I also have a DeWitts radiator with EOC. I usually drive in the advanced group at DEs.

Update: the motor uses very little oil, like maybe 1/4 qt per track weekend. No smoke or abnormal noise either (thanks to shifter6 for reminding me to add that)

Thanks for any help, Brad.

Shifter6

Your oil test would not concern me that much. When you actually exhibit symptoms is when I would worry.

Does your engine smoke on startup? If the valve seals are not wiped yet, I would hold off.

Once you see smoke on startup, you know the worn guides finally ruined the seals.

Or of course any abnormal noise...

vms4evr

The last lab report I had from Blackstone told me not to worry about an engine showing above 150ppm of copper. They said is typical of GM engines up to 40-50K miles and especially a tracked car. I agree with the other poster. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I believe I read somewhere that it is actually coming from the factory head gasket, not the heads or springs or valves.