1 broke valve spring = $1950 at the local dealership.

I pulled my car out and took it to a buddies shop. My car got fixed for free + the $8 part... Thanks Bryan!

I drove the car over 1800 miles in 2 days after the spring was replaced...so at least I know it's a good fix lol

 

if its 2000 to replace when it breaks..why is it from what im hearing so cheap to do aftermarket ones! i wish someone couyld give me a price! if im just doing longtubes intake cooling mods and tune for now and a CAM down the road, should i still replace the stock valve springs? or would you want to do all of that at once! im hoping maybe the guy before me had new ones put on lol..wish i could find out you know! but 3 % would be lucky..what are the odds eh lol

 

replace them when you add the CAM.


If you have low mileage, i wouldn't worry. If you're pushing over 80K, it might be something you want to do now.

 

David426 , how many of the 16,000 plus 2002-2003 Z06es producted has ALL the shops in Texas serviced I wonder? My point is not necessarily pointed to you but to the basis of your statement ( as I'm sure you realize that someone on the CF forum will quote your guesstimate as factual).

I have no problem with statements as you have redefined and clarified them ; the basis is within the realm of your sphere of experience and personal contacts spring failure with 2002-2003 LS6 engine valve springs fall within 350-508 engines i.e. 2-3% .

But to a percentage mean the quantity needed to achieve a confident statistical analysis is a probability density (total submitted quanity of 16,000 plus engines) with a know deviation (bad springs) of 27.9% (4464 LS6 engines) sampling using Level 1 T scores or standard nines testing methods. This does not account for random variables. The end result from this sampling( 4464 LS6 engines) is still open to flase positives when no deviations are found. If one (1) deviation ( bad spring) is announced a higher sampling is needed to achieve an accurate prediction of the % of other deviations within the sampling. ( I used to head an inspection dept ).

 

I Have an 2003 , the 8613 Vette made that year.

I lost a valve spring at 38,000 miles and destroyed the engine block during the process.

Fortunately I had the GM Warranty in force.
and ended up with a 2004 long block and intake manifold complete , covered by GM.

I was driving 45 mph down a rural road at the time with no warning just some loud ticking and a hard knock followed by the engine stalling .

Later upon disassembly it was found that spring had broke dropped the valve in the cylinder bore cracked the block and came back up and tore up the head , spit parts into the intake manifold.

When this engine gets 50,000 miles on it I'm going to change out the springs as cheap insurance,

Also the yellow valve springs on the replacement engine appeared to be the same as the ones on the early 2003 motor

For peace of mind I think changing out the old springs are a wise investment once the miles get up there on Z06 engine

If I didn't have the warranty by GM , The bill for repairs was at $8500.00

Best of luck on your search

Steve S.

 

Whatcha puttin in for a cam? Want to do it too but haven't figured which one yet.

 

I have a 03' Z, build date 8-02, 35,000 mi., my #5 exhaust valve went at 65mi p/hr, on the freeway, no trouble till then. I have purchased new GM springs and going to replace all, I'm a do it your self kind of guy, but I would surely like to see your write up doing this job, information is power!

Thanks, blk03zo6

 

I lost an intake spring at 73,000 miles.
I got lucky and noticed a slight noise before it caused any major damage.

Change them out before they break.

 

I asked the owner of a major corvette only shop about the valves just because of this discussion. He said for people who drive their cars normally versus racing them at the track--don't worry odds are very small and not worth replacing the valves. My Z has 35K miles. Based on his info I decided not to replace until I have 80-100K miles.

 

I'm changing my springs out today, would like to see your write up.

thanks

 

To save about 450.00 your willing to risk a 7000 - 10,000 $$ repair bill if one goes out and takes out the engine? (check out more threads on this man, most common price tag from a dropped valve due to spring failure is about 8k. Not a wise gamble if you ask me. Just swap em out yourself or have a shop do it. It cost me a little over 450.00 to have it done last year.

 

Or just buy a cam kit! They happen to come with them lmao...ask me how I know hehe..just tell the wife the cam kits the only way for new springs lmao..worth a try haha..but atleast change them, they talked me into it! And a cam! It won't stop lol

 

Why didn't I think of that !

 

Seems if you based your analysis on the members inputs on this site, it would be much higher than a 3% change of failure. Just in this thread alone, there are way too many that have had a stock spring failure for my liking. Can't argue with dozens of guys who have chimed in on this site over the last couple of years with an OEM spring failure report.

 

Right! lmao DOOO ITTTT lol

 

What's a new set of springs cost? My guy wants 200 bucks + 170 to install them. Whatcha think??

 

Cost of the springs really depends on what spring you're buying. What spring is he quoting you. The $170 labor probably isn't unreasonable.

 

cheap.. its about 4-5hrs labor and at least $60 in parts..

 

I can almost copy and paste this into my own reply. I'll just say "ditto"


Happened at 25k with the first spring, and at 50K with the second. The second incident got me a brand new LS6 completely covered under warranty.


I know my posts have been read way too many times already. Dig em up if you want the details and pics.

 

just repair them! go cam kit ladies! i just got the whole LG x1 112 cam kit comes with 921 duel springs! keep ya posted on how it goes! lata!