[Z06] Valve spring replacement question.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15,866
Likes: 196
From: PA
Valve spring replacement question.
I've read a lot about the valve spring issues with 03 and earlier LS6's, mine is an 03 with 37k mi on it. It has a 8/02 build date so I would assume thats a very early 03 model production. Is the general consensus to go ahead and replace the stock springs? Pulled the pass side cover and took a pic of them the other day, they have an orange colored paint marking on each of them. Ive read that the newer version were yellow. Are these the 'weaker' style springs?
I dont plan on doing any mods beyond bolt ons for the forseable future, so If I replace the springs is it best just to go with the new style stock replacements or should I go with a particular aftermarket style? I know some say this is making a big issue out of nothing but I really do not want to have my engine fail due to something so inexpensive failing on me. Thanks
I dont plan on doing any mods beyond bolt ons for the forseable future, so If I replace the springs is it best just to go with the new style stock replacements or should I go with a particular aftermarket style? I know some say this is making a big issue out of nothing but I really do not want to have my engine fail due to something so inexpensive failing on me. Thanks
Last edited by MY03C5Z; Nov 23, 2011 at 04:03 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
Did you purchase your car new?
My Mllinium 03 Z rolled out of Bowling Green on 8/18/02, heading North to the Detroit area. I bought it new off the dealer's lot on 12/10/02.
Last fall with 14K on the odometer, I changed out the original (yellow) springs.
I too had seen too many posts in regards to spring failure.
I did the job myself & had done some research before changing them out, in regards to how & doing it the correct way.
Mods on the engine are LG Pro long tube, LG 3" x pipe.
I went with a set of Manley bee hive springs that were suggested by the boys @ ECS.
With the new springs the engine seemed to "ramp up" a bit faster than before.
Good luck.
My Mllinium 03 Z rolled out of Bowling Green on 8/18/02, heading North to the Detroit area. I bought it new off the dealer's lot on 12/10/02.
Last fall with 14K on the odometer, I changed out the original (yellow) springs.
I too had seen too many posts in regards to spring failure.
I did the job myself & had done some research before changing them out, in regards to how & doing it the correct way.
Mods on the engine are LG Pro long tube, LG 3" x pipe.
I went with a set of Manley bee hive springs that were suggested by the boys @ ECS.
With the new springs the engine seemed to "ramp up" a bit faster than before.
Good luck.
Last edited by bumble-z; Nov 23, 2011 at 05:28 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 3
From: KADS- If it has wings or an engine, I can break it. Dallas TX
My car was built AUG. of 02, exhaust valve spring broke in Aug. of 2010. Had 39,xxx miles. I am the orignal owner. It broke while idleing at a stoplight, I got lucky.
LG motorsports replaced all springs with new GM part.
Spend the 400 or 500 bucks, its cheap insurance.
cheers, robert
LG motorsports replaced all springs with new GM part.
Spend the 400 or 500 bucks, its cheap insurance.
cheers, robert
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15,866
Likes: 196
From: PA
I just bought it 2 weeks ago, it was a 1 owner car. I'm nearly certain the valve covers had never been removed based on the buildup on them. I doubt the original owner ever removed the frc's for that matter. The car body and interior were very clean but the engine compartment looks like it had never been cleaned. I'm going to go with stock springs, it looks like a pretty simple diy job to me.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15,866
Likes: 196
From: PA
Did you go with the new style stock replacement springs? Thats what Im leaning towards.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
I asked this same question a few months ago about my springs because they are not "solid yellow" like all of the other pics of LS6 springs I have seen.
I "believe" these are the original springs in my car but I have way to know for sure.
They look just like yours....and yours are the only other ones I have seen with a single yellowish/orange stripe like mine..
My car is an 02 with 26k miles. I will probably change mine eventually as well but, I am very curious as to what they are..
I "believe" these are the original springs in my car but I have way to know for sure.
They look just like yours....and yours are the only other ones I have seen with a single yellowish/orange stripe like mine..
My car is an 02 with 26k miles. I will probably change mine eventually as well but, I am very curious as to what they are..
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Fairmount IN
I went with PAC 1218 springs I got them for around $150 to the door then I had to buy a valve spring compresser from Jegs $90. This is also a good time to replace your spark plugs and wires.
Last edited by onebadmofo; Nov 23, 2011 at 09:09 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Fairmount IN
I asked this same question a few months ago about my springs because they are not "solid yellow" like all of the other pics of LS6 springs I have seen.
I "believe" these are the original springs in my car but I have way to know for sure.
They look just like yours....and yours are the only other ones I have seen with a single yellowish/orange stripe like mine..
My car is an 02 with 26k miles. I will probably change mine eventually as well but, I am very curious as to what they are..
I "believe" these are the original springs in my car but I have way to know for sure.
They look just like yours....and yours are the only other ones I have seen with a single yellowish/orange stripe like mine..
My car is an 02 with 26k miles. I will probably change mine eventually as well but, I am very curious as to what they are..
That's what mine looked like....I still replaced them they had 37000 miles on them.
Last edited by onebadmofo; Nov 23, 2011 at 09:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15,866
Likes: 196
From: PA
I asked this same question a few months ago about my springs because they are not "solid yellow" like all of the other pics of LS6 springs I have seen.
I "believe" these are the original springs in my car but I have way to know for sure.
They look just like yours....and yours are the only other ones I have seen with a single yellowish/orange stripe like mine..
My car is an 02 with 26k miles. I will probably change mine eventually as well but, I am very curious as to what they are..
I "believe" these are the original springs in my car but I have way to know for sure.
They look just like yours....and yours are the only other ones I have seen with a single yellowish/orange stripe like mine..
My car is an 02 with 26k miles. I will probably change mine eventually as well but, I am very curious as to what they are..
If these turn out to be original I am definitely replacing them this winter. Thanks
Last edited by MY03C5Z; Nov 23, 2011 at 09:41 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15,866
Likes: 196
From: PA
Paul, I've heard that is a great tool, I'll definitely pick one up for my swap, thanks.
I had someone run a service history report for me and the following item jumped out at me:
06/28/2004
248128
ZREG----Regular Vehicle Transaction
J1840 - Engine, Universal - Replace
5,183 MI
06/28/2004
248128
ZPTC----Part Transaction - Over the Counter
J0250 - Intake Manifold Replacement
5,183 MI
06/23/2004
274803
ZREG----Regular Vehicle Transaction
T2020 - Towing
5,173 MI
I didnt get any specifics on this incident but I assume this means that the engine was replaced in 2004. I did a google search on that code and it appears to be the code for an engine replacement. I'd like to find out what happened, wonder if it was a valve spring failure? Dont know. Either way, if my car got a new engine that year I wouldnt assume it would be a 2004 model, it could have been from one of the prior years. Either way, Im still installing a new set of 04 style springs. Hell, for the cost of these things I'll probably install a new set every few years just for piece of mind.
I had someone run a service history report for me and the following item jumped out at me:
06/28/2004
248128
ZREG----Regular Vehicle Transaction
J1840 - Engine, Universal - Replace
5,183 MI
06/28/2004
248128
ZPTC----Part Transaction - Over the Counter
J0250 - Intake Manifold Replacement
5,183 MI
06/23/2004
274803
ZREG----Regular Vehicle Transaction
T2020 - Towing
5,173 MI
I didnt get any specifics on this incident but I assume this means that the engine was replaced in 2004. I did a google search on that code and it appears to be the code for an engine replacement. I'd like to find out what happened, wonder if it was a valve spring failure? Dont know. Either way, if my car got a new engine that year I wouldnt assume it would be a 2004 model, it could have been from one of the prior years. Either way, Im still installing a new set of 04 style springs. Hell, for the cost of these things I'll probably install a new set every few years just for piece of mind.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15,866
Likes: 196
From: PA
The heads are stamped 243 which is right for LS6 heads, correct? I cant find any numbers stamped on the block, is there a certain spot to look? I thought the same thing about the decription, 'universal - replace' The guy that ran the report for me was supposed to send me the detailed report of what they did on this date but I didnt get it yet. I'll stop in my local dealer this week and get a copy of it if I can. I dont doubt this is an LS6 though, it was done by the dealer within the 36k warranty period. Plus the way this car pulls theres no way its a standard LS1 
