cardo0

So I did some shopping for LS6 beehive springs and the GM/Chevy full conversion kit was $420. . Went to the dealer and verified everything but the springs themselves were not only expensive but back ordered. Com'on, $230 for the spring cups/spacers? When I got to talking with the cylinder rebuild shop they had a $60 spring that uses all my LT1 hardware. Only spec he had was 135# seat press and can handle 5.25" lift (my requirement). But his spring had a dampner coil inside.
Well I kinda jumped on it because he had much better prices for the larger valves I wanted and he was going to do all the valve work anyways. But now I think I recall the LT1 guide boss is to big for the dampner and they remind me of the springs sold by Alex parts where most owners just throw/leave out the dampner - something I didn't want to do.
Anyways I think I could have used the LS6 valve springs by just buying a new retainer - not much more money at all.

Should I call the shop and make the change? What would you do?

bjankuski

First find out what you have and see if it will work. The lt1 head is a sbc platform, there are many springs available that will do what you want without spending 240 on springs from a ls6.

C409

..... There is no need to over engineer sbc valve springs with a hydraulic cam and lightly modified stock heads/valvetrain .....

cardo0

Okay thanks for your fast support guys. I have a lot of confidence in this cylinder head/machine shop and I'm sure the owner know a whole lot more than I do about sbc springs. I will just run the heads as he builds them. I don't really know enough about springs to engineer a correct one for my application.

KSA Aaron

I have all of the OEM LS6 springs and retainers off of a set of new GM LS6 heads that were swapped to BTR springs and titanium retainers before ever being run. They were never run, only compressed when originally installed on the LS6 heads.


Unfortunately, I am overseas. Maybe see if the fiancé would mail if someone were interested.

ghoastrider1

I bought , then installed, Beehive springs and keepers from Summit. I at first, had them on my heads with no problems and now waiting for new AFR 195 heads which I will install on then. Don't know about your other springs, but I do prefer Beehives over double springs. Best of luck.

cardo0

Yeah I read nothing but good about the Chevy beehives. Light weight and no harmonics due to its shape. Should hold up to good RPM. But the springs themselves are cheap and provide enough pressure for most modest cams. It's just the hardware that's expensive.

Those AFR heads have good hardware. I'm surprised you are going to change it.

Kubs

I used LS beehive springs from PAC on my build. It can rev to 7000+rpm and they do not bind with my 0.565" lift. PAC1219 I think they were. Like $100 for the set. Yes you can reuse the rest of the hardware if you by the smaller retainer for the top of the spring. As long as you get the standard 10° retainers and not the LS 7°. Since the retainer is smaller you can get away with steel instead of more expensive Titanium or something.