[Z06] Valve Springs
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,564
Likes: 950
From: Communist Colorado
[QUOTE=NatB
Funny thing is this- the best Corvette Performance shop in the country based in Houston has never heard of valve spring failure as a chronic problem for unabused 2002 Z06 corvettes.
[/QUOTE]
That is funny because many here on this forum have had spring failures from normal driving. I remember a few guys saying that they were doing maybe 30-40mph at low rpm. Its a definite trouble spot on the 2002 model and some 2003
Funny thing is this- the best Corvette Performance shop in the country based in Houston has never heard of valve spring failure as a chronic problem for unabused 2002 Z06 corvettes.
[/QUOTE]
That is funny because many here on this forum have had spring failures from normal driving. I remember a few guys saying that they were doing maybe 30-40mph at low rpm. Its a definite trouble spot on the 2002 model and some 2003
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 831
Likes: 2
From: Houston Texas
I have done a lot of research over the past year on the valve spring issue. I do not know the answer- but wonder whether it has to do with how the cars are driven. Besides this one shop, I have had people email me that are LS engine builder/rebuilders that tell me it is all internet hype. Of course, there are incidences where springs fail. This on all perfomance car engines with aggressive cams.
I'm on the fence- and still leaning towards replacing the springs just to put it to rest...
Last edited by NatB; Feb 7, 2011 at 09:29 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,564
Likes: 950
From: Communist Colorado
I know- I read the same posts with great concern for my own Z06.
I have done a lot of research over the past year on the valve spring issue. I do not know the answer- but wonder whether it has to do with how the cars are driven. Besides this one shop, I have had people email me that are LS engine builder/rebuilders that tell me it is all internet hype. Of course, there are incidences where springs fail. This on all perfomance car engines with aggressive cams.
I'm on the fence- and still leaning towards replacing the springs just to put it to rest...
I have done a lot of research over the past year on the valve spring issue. I do not know the answer- but wonder whether it has to do with how the cars are driven. Besides this one shop, I have had people email me that are LS engine builder/rebuilders that tell me it is all internet hype. Of course, there are incidences where springs fail. This on all perfomance car engines with aggressive cams.
I'm on the fence- and still leaning towards replacing the springs just to put it to rest...
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 450
Likes: 48
Actually- I was strongly leaning towards the PAC 1518's. But after my own exhaustive research on this forum - I concluded the 1518's were too much for the oem cam and valvetrain components.
I like the way the 1518's are designed - but I convinced myself the 1218's were better suited to run the stock Z06 valvetrain. This based on a lot of information from this forum .
Furthermore- I finally concluded the stock GM springs are probably the best of all for a stock engine. The revised springs since 2004 haven't the issues at all reporteed in earlier years.
Funny thing is this- the best Corvette Performance shop in the country based in Houston has never heard of valve spring failure as a chronic problem for unabused 2002 Z06 corvettes.
All said - trust me, the thought of a busted valve spring catches my attention too.
I like the way the 1518's are designed - but I convinced myself the 1218's were better suited to run the stock Z06 valvetrain. This based on a lot of information from this forum .
Furthermore- I finally concluded the stock GM springs are probably the best of all for a stock engine. The revised springs since 2004 haven't the issues at all reporteed in earlier years.
Funny thing is this- the best Corvette Performance shop in the country based in Houston has never heard of valve spring failure as a chronic problem for unabused 2002 Z06 corvettes.
All said - trust me, the thought of a busted valve spring catches my attention too.
anyway.. if you are sticking with the factory cam, you are correct just go with the 1218s, BUT understand, the closed seat pressure between the two is the same, 130#s (1.8" install height). The only measured difference are at loads of 1.2" @ 318#s for the the 1218s and 1.150" @ 337#s for the 1518s. Really not that much difference, but go with what you are comfortable with.Good luck...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Canon City Colorado
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Canon City Colorado
I'm really starting to lean toward that PAC 1218's or the new GM Performance replacement LS6 springs. I plan on keeping the stock cam for now...so it seems "cost wise" the LS6 springs would be the better bet. Although... one would think that the PAC's or one of the other aftermarket springs would provide a little better valve train stability at higher RPM. Especially since I'm running a boosted set up.
Any thoughts on this?
Any thoughts on this?
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Brett Foote
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
I need to do this as well this spring in my '02 its driving me nuts in the back of mind everytime I take it out......question as you guys have been digging into this again...are the NEW GM springs being offered running the same retainers and clips we allready have in the cars now?? ,or do we need new ones?
Thnx B.
Thnx B.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
Proform is an offshore company. Friggin cheaterz, and Summit smiles as they market it and make a couple bucks.
This is a growing problem in the U.S. -Everything from cloned LG headers to basic tools and parts.... WE
do all the inventing, designing, investing in good intentioned capitalism and they copy it, mass produce it with their virtual slave labor and dump it on us cheaper than the real McCoy.Vote with your wallet and more importantly, your conscience. Don't complain about china later in life as it takes over if you yourself NOW don't look past the "Made in China" label. -With everything you buy!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Canon City Colorado
Yeah, I'm thinking the same thing.
From everything I have read, the "new" LS6 springs will drop in using all your original retainers and such. I would probalby replace the valve seals with new ones since your already in there.
I need to do this as well this spring in my '02 its driving me nuts in the back of mind everytime I take it out......question as you guys have been digging into this again...are the NEW GM springs being offered running the same retainers and clips we allready have in the cars now?? ,or do we need new ones?
Thnx B.
Thnx B.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Canon City Colorado
Chinese copy/theft of Crane Cam's hard work designing it.
Proform is an offshore company. Friggin cheaterz, and Summit smiles as they market it and make a couple bucks.
This is a growing problem in the U.S. -Everything from cloned LG headers to basic tools and parts.... WE do all the inventing, designing, investing in good intentioned capitalism and they copy it, mass produce it with their virtual slave labor and dump it on us cheaper than the real McCoy.
Vote with your wallet and more importantly, your conscience. Don't complain about china later in life as it takes over if you yourself NOW don't look past the "Made in China" label. -With everything you buy!
Proform is an offshore company. Friggin cheaterz, and Summit smiles as they market it and make a couple bucks.
This is a growing problem in the U.S. -Everything from cloned LG headers to basic tools and parts.... WE
do all the inventing, designing, investing in good intentioned capitalism and they copy it, mass produce it with their virtual slave labor and dump it on us cheaper than the real McCoy.Vote with your wallet and more importantly, your conscience. Don't complain about china later in life as it takes over if you yourself NOW don't look past the "Made in China" label. -With everything you buy!
I just purchased "Tims Tool" for my valve spring removal and not ony was it cheap ($35 or $60 with air tool) it is made in the USA. It's suppose to be the best tool for valve spring removal for LSX based engines. All the reviews I have read say how easy it makes the job compared to others on the market (including the Crane tool).
Last edited by Sinister-Z; Feb 8, 2011 at 11:56 AM. Reason: Picure of Tims Tool added
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
^ I agree....
Tim's tool is awesome (it has many names over the years) and can be found for $35 on fleabay.
So easy, even an 18 month old can use it.
Here's my boy learning mechanics at a young age helping me rebuild a set of 243s using that tool.
Tim's tool is awesome (it has many names over the years) and can be found for $35 on fleabay.
So easy, even an 18 month old can use it.
Here's my boy learning mechanics at a young age helping me rebuild a set of 243s using that tool.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 5
From: Tallahassee Florida
I seen a few pics in here that were double spring and I bet they were glad they did it. I also read the pros and cons on them. of course, they were aftermarket and maybe thats why they broke in the first place??? maybe another cheap chinese product. have these new LS6 replacement springs been proven to be a solid fix without worry??
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Not to highjack the thread...i ordered the stock replacement LS6 springs from summit last month, the invoive says (Germany) as the source of the springs but the lable on the box says "made in Mexico" !!! Its confiusing 
Anyway, what makes u guys think the aftermarket springs are better than the stock GM replacement springs on a stock engine?
Anyway, what makes u guys think the aftermarket springs are better than the stock GM replacement springs on a stock engine?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
Not to highjack the thread...i ordered the stock replacement LS6 springs from summit last month, the invoive says (Germany) as the source of the springs but the lable on the box says "made in Mexico" !!! Its confiusing
Anyway, what makes u guys think the aftermarket springs are better than the stock GM replacement springs on a stock engine?
Anyway, what makes u guys think the aftermarket springs are better than the stock GM replacement springs on a stock engine?
that's weird, the word was they were made in Germany...bet there being shipped in through Mexico in bulk and boxed there....I am going to just stick stockers back in and call it good...what was your summit part number showing on this batch???
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 9
From: Springhill FL
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Canon City Colorado