C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Strange Springs??

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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 10:41 AM
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Default Strange Springs??

I bought a '96 CE LT4 manual with 5800 (yes hundred) miles from a widow. Car was parked for years and she had no clue as to what her now gone hubby had done to the motor. It did have shorty headers and cat back when I bought it. Since then I found a BBK 58mm TB. It has a very slight lope at idle and I suspect it has an aftermarket camshaft. It had obviously been tuned because it runs great with no driveability issues and pulls strong to 6000 RPM. So I just pulled a valve cover to check lift and lo and behold I noted that the valve springs consist of an outter spring, flat damper and smaller red inner spring. I assume these are not stock..can anyone confirm that they are indeed aftermarket?
Thanks in advance
Bill
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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 11:28 AM
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Dual springs are noting new, you have an LT4 which has a better top end giving the car 330hp over the stock LT1 with 300hp.
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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted by bob guzzy
Dual springs are noting new, you have an LT4 which has a better top end giving the car 330hp over the stock LT1 with 300hp.
Thanks Bob. I'm well aware of the HP and difference between LT1 and LT4 and I know that dual springs are noting (sic) new. What I don't know is if the springs described in the OP are stock OEM or not and am seeking that info.

Last edited by billsc1; Nov 2, 2013 at 12:50 PM.
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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 12:20 PM
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Any thing in thread help?.....

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...ce-lt4-m6.html
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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 12:50 PM
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Originally Posted by seabright
Thanks seabright...I have searched thru all the related posts including the one you mention but no luck.
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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by billsc1
Thanks Bob. I'm well aware of the HP and difference between LT1 and LT4 and I know that dual springs are noting (sic) new. What I don't know is if the springs described in the OP are stock OEM or not and am seeking that info.
I'd say the "widow" didn't pass on the box or album of "documentation" that was likely kept for the car. With the miles you've mentioned I'd first check with the "widow" and everything you want/need to know is there likely just awaiting your "asking"!
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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 01:24 PM
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Is this 'old' news ? :

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...ce-lt4-m6.html
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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted by WVZR-1
I'd say the "widow" didn't pass on the box or album of "documentation" that was likely kept for the car. With the miles you've mentioned I'd first check with the "widow" and everything you want/need to know is there likely just awaiting your "asking"!
Thanks WVZR.... you're making the assumption that there was an "album" and she still had all the 15 year old documentation and that I didn't ask for it. Well I did and she didn't.. I did however get the owners manual and a few receipts and what she thought was the name of the shop that did the work. I contacted the shop but seeing as the receipt for the cat back was dated 1999 (probably right after the warranty ran out on time) I wasn't too hopeful. I offered to pay an hours labor for any info or ROs but was told the shop didn't have any old records.
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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by billsc1
Thanks WVZR.... you're making the assumption that there was an "album" and she still had all the 15 year old documentation and that I didn't ask for it. Well I did and she didn't.. I did however get the owners manual and a few receipts and what she thought was the name of the shop that did the work. I contacted the shop but seeing as the receipt for the cat back was dated 1999 (probably right after the warranty ran out on time) I wasn't too hopeful. I offered to pay an hours labor for any info or ROs but was told the shop didn't have any old records.
I thought you likely had but I needed to mention it! Some may NOT have!
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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by seabright
Can't say if it's old or not, it does have some valuable info but it
definately does not have what I'm looking for.
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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 06:51 PM
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I believe that despite some of the Internet images the Crane 10308 springs were "red striped" - how would you find out? I don't know since the "re-birth" they don't have the product listed any longer but it could be worth a call. Did Crane have a popular LT "hot-cam package"? I don't know.

Were the Crane part of this GM LT4 package? GM 12480002

Here's a list of most GM SBC/LT cam packages:

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/perform...CATID=826.html
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Old Nov 3, 2013 | 09:16 AM
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Originally Posted by WVZR-1
I believe that despite some of the Internet images the Crane 10308 springs were "red striped" - how would you find out? I don't know since the "re-birth" they don't have the product listed any longer but it could be worth a call. Did Crane have a popular LT "hot-cam package"? I don't know.

Were the Crane part of this GM LT4 package? GM 12480002

Here's a list of most GM SBC/LT cam packages:

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/perform...CATID=826.html
Thanks again WV but the only spring PN (12551483) on that entire list is for a single wire spring. I'm failry certain that what I have is not OEM. All I'm looking for is what the stock springs on a 96 LT4 consist of... Is it (A) 1 wire outter spring, or (B) 1 wire outter spring with an inner flat steel damper, or (C) 1 wire outter spring with a middle flat steel damper and a smaller inner red with white dot wire spring. I don't recall GM ever producing a completely painted inner valve spring...different colored dots on the springs for easy ID, YES but completely painted NO. Could be wrong which is why I'm asking for help!!
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Old Nov 3, 2013 | 09:52 AM
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Originally Posted by billsc1
Thanks again WV but the only spring PN (12551483) on that entire list is for a single wire spring. I'm failry certain that what I have is not OEM. All I'm looking for is what the stock springs on a 96 LT4 consist of... Is it (A) 1 wire outter spring, or (B) 1 wire outter spring with an inner flat steel damper, or (C) 1 wire outter spring with a middle flat steel damper and a smaller inner red with white dot wire spring. I don't recall GM ever producing a completely painted inner valve spring...different colored dots on the springs for easy ID, YES but completely painted NO. Could be wrong which is why I'm asking for help!!
Now you've actually explained what's on your car I believe. C - is what you've got and would like confirmed? Much easier I believe to get a responsible response. Maybe not? I didn't mean for you to use the springs in the "list" but I referenced the 10308 Crane which might have been part of a previous package. Crane no longer references that # but Crane changed hands. I suggested maybe a phone call!
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Old Nov 3, 2013 | 10:04 AM
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[QUOTE=WVZR-1;1585334956]Now you've actually explained what's on your car I believe. C - is what you've got and would like confirmed? Much easier I believe to get a responsible response. Maybe not? I didn't mean for you to use the springs in the "list" but I referenced the 10308 Crane which might have been part of a previous package. Crane no longer references that # but Crane changed hands. I suggested maybe a phone call![/QUOTE
Think I described my set up in the OP??
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Old Nov 3, 2013 | 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by billsc1
[Think I described my set up in the OP??
I read the "original" again and yes you did, when I opened the thread and saw responses for dual spring from a poster and your response back about "duals" I hadn't done any more than maybe just glance at the original. Speed reading maybe?

There's no way to "edit" a title but yours maybe if it were more directed towards "valve springs" might catch a more discerning eye. I'll be honest with you I was expecting maybe a suspension question.

"LT4 Hot-Cam valve spring questions" Maybe? Just start a fresh one and catch some "new minds"!! Just a thought!
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Old Nov 7, 2013 | 07:05 AM
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I don't know if this helps but the stock LT4 valvesprings were ovate coils.
And I am pretty sure it is a single coil. It was not called a beehive spring but the coils did have ovate coils not round!
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