[Z06] LS6 replacement valve spring question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 2
From: Orlando FL
LS6 replacement valve spring question
OK so if I were going to replace mine which is better? I know this is an opinion question that has been addressed several times before but the search function is much help.
I see a pretty good price difference from:
PAC 1518 for $356.00
Comp 918 for $169.00
Yellow GM LS6 replacement springs for $79.00
Any constructive feedback on these three options?
I'm planning on swapping them myself. I have never tried but it doesn't look all that hard.
Thanks for the input
Tom
I see a pretty good price difference from:
PAC 1518 for $356.00
Comp 918 for $169.00
Yellow GM LS6 replacement springs for $79.00
Any constructive feedback on these three options?
I'm planning on swapping them myself. I have never tried but it doesn't look all that hard.
Thanks for the input
Tom
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 793
Likes: 3
From: Scotland UK
I went with PAC 1218's because I'm not convinced that nitriding is the best thing for material toughness. Everything I've read about it leads me to believe the opposite. I'm sure many have used them with great success.
You have a PM.
You have a PM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,895
Likes: 84
From: Darien IL
I went with GM as Katech uses stock springs in their LS7 race motors. Do a search on Short-Throw and his engine build. It's in there somewhere.
The yellow springs are made by Mubea in Germany. The wire is not round, but rather elliptical in cross section. I suspect that there is a lot of hidden technology in these springs:
http://www.mubea.com/english/produkte_motor.html
Click on valve springs for more info.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,895
Likes: 84
From: Darien IL
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 831
Likes: 2
From: Houston Texas
I have followed the valve spring stories -I own a 2002 Z06 with 32K miles. Will likely swap out the springs soon as preventative maintenance.
I will either go with the GM yellow spring oem replacements or the PAC 1218's for my stock Z06 engine and cam.
Here's the thing- murphey's law sais anything that can will go wrong which combined with "if it ain't broke don't fix it" theory makes me a little concerned. After all- could replace perfectly good valve spring out of fear - with new ones that fail in 100 miles.
I will either go with the GM yellow spring oem replacements or the PAC 1218's for my stock Z06 engine and cam.
Here's the thing- murphey's law sais anything that can will go wrong which combined with "if it ain't broke don't fix it" theory makes me a little concerned. After all- could replace perfectly good valve spring out of fear - with new ones that fail in 100 miles.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 2
From: Orlando FL
Thanks for the input guys. The prices were the result of a very quick internet check. Bruce sent me a good price link for a little under $200.
I also agree with the murphy's law scenario... but I'm clocking a little over 70k miles on my car and just getting nervous. My luck I will buy the one faulty spring and it will break after I put it in haha.
Thanks again guys!
Tom
I also agree with the murphy's law scenario... but I'm clocking a little over 70k miles on my car and just getting nervous. My luck I will buy the one faulty spring and it will break after I put it in haha.
Thanks again guys!
Tom
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
valve springs
Just a comment......suggest that you install the 2 spring(inner and outer) valve spring on your ZO6.....ZO6 do have a history of valve spring failure.....from experience I can tell you that the OEM yellow one on my ZO6 broke...valve into the cylinder....cracked the piston.....bent the rod...and cracked the cylinder sleeve.....and the actual cost for the repair was in the $10k range.....this all happened at 40mph on the way to work....as the mechanic said if you hade the dual spring you wouldnt have had all this damage........Chuck
Last edited by aquachuck1; Sep 1, 2010 at 12:01 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 624
Likes: 7
From: St. George, UT
I too lost a spring. Got it fixed at the stealership. Since then I worried about another one going. Maybe not as luck the second time..... destroying a piston or worse. So...... I had them all replaced. NOT WITH STOCK SPRINGS. I went with PSI springs. I can now sleep at night. I went with PSI because they had a lower spring rate than others... I figured that I didn't want to put too much more pressure on the rest of the valve train than neccessary. It really is designed all together. So your homework on the springs and you make the decision which will make you feel best.
These stock springs can go anytime.....not really a function of driving or timing. Just poor manufacuring.
These stock springs can go anytime.....not really a function of driving or timing. Just poor manufacuring.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 547
Likes: 82
From: Fort Worth, TX
This topic keeps popping up for discussion and is surely making me nervous. Any SoCal CF brethrens wanna give a brother a hand if I decide to swap out my stock valve springs? I have basic mechanical skills but have never attempted to play around with internal engine parts/components. LMK. I can compensate in beer 
or $$ if you would rather!
or $$ if you would rather!
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 385
Likes: 10
From: North Charleston, SC
I swapped out my stock valvetrain earlier this summer with the newer Comp 918 springs which are now shotpeened and can be identified by their lighter shade of grey compared to the original design. Bought them from Summit, best price I could find. They have a slightly higher spring rate than stock and are supposedly good to 0.600" lift, others here will likely say less than 0.600".
Also installed Comp chromoly 7.4" pushrods with titanium retainers. A couple months later I went back and installed Yella Terra 1.8 shaft aluminum roller rockers.
Ultimately I now have a mild 220/224 duration 0.561/0.565 lift setup. I don't abuse my car but I do drive it as it was meant to be and haven't had any problems with this setup. I've done plenty of rev-limiter kisses trying to perfect my shift points for the strip as well.
The springs before the rockers did slightly reduce the cam's lope. After the rockers, the valvetrain also became noticeably quieter (trunion bearings), but not Cadillac quiet.
Also installed Comp chromoly 7.4" pushrods with titanium retainers. A couple months later I went back and installed Yella Terra 1.8 shaft aluminum roller rockers.
Ultimately I now have a mild 220/224 duration 0.561/0.565 lift setup. I don't abuse my car but I do drive it as it was meant to be and haven't had any problems with this setup. I've done plenty of rev-limiter kisses trying to perfect my shift points for the strip as well.
The springs before the rockers did slightly reduce the cam's lope. After the rockers, the valvetrain also became noticeably quieter (trunion bearings), but not Cadillac quiet.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 922
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia Canada
I too would like to get some dual springs ,if, no other mods are needed and remain safe. Otherwise I need advice what else to change.
BTW, how much time (cost) would a dealer charge to change the springs?
Do these work on an LS6?
Precision Race Components EHT .675" Dual Spring Kit
http://hinsonsupercars.com/p-1167-pr...pring-kit.aspx
BTW, how much time (cost) would a dealer charge to change the springs?
Do these work on an LS6?
Precision Race Components EHT .675" Dual Spring Kit
http://hinsonsupercars.com/p-1167-pr...pring-kit.aspx
Last edited by pit-pony; Sep 1, 2010 at 07:53 PM.