[Z06] Help Identifying LS6 Valve Springs
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Help Identifying LS6 Valve Springs
So i decided to take a look at the valve springs on my Z06, with the broken spring nightmare.
They are not yellow or blue, they are silver and have some kind of orange but can't really tell.
I bought the car 2 years ago, so maybe the previous owner changed them.
I am gonna change them for a piece of mind in the next couple weeks when i do the cam, but would like to know if i can drive the car until next month…..dont want to park it just yet.
They are not yellow or blue, they are silver and have some kind of orange but can't really tell.
I bought the car 2 years ago, so maybe the previous owner changed them.
I am gonna change them for a piece of mind in the next couple weeks when i do the cam, but would like to know if i can drive the car until next month…..dont want to park it just yet.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
can't tell. yellow paint baked in oil for 10+ years could turn orange.
if you don't know when they were last changed, change them
new set of oem springs is $65
or in your case i'm sure you have a set matched to your cam.
what i have gathered is oem springs can break at any time. BUT, the cracked block destruction talks are all from high rpm breaks. in most cases i've read about the 3000 rpm and under breaks cause minimal damage, at worst a valve gets tweaked
if you don't know when they were last changed, change them
new set of oem springs is $65
or in your case i'm sure you have a set matched to your cam.
what i have gathered is oem springs can break at any time. BUT, the cracked block destruction talks are all from high rpm breaks. in most cases i've read about the 3000 rpm and under breaks cause minimal damage, at worst a valve gets tweaked
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 113
From: Los Angeles
Just to be perfectly clear to those who don't know any better, not all stock valve springs look like this. In addition to the solid yellow springs shown above, I've seen pictures or heard reports of GM springs that were: yellow striped, orange striped, bare metal, solid blue, and I think also blue striped. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 5
From: Loveland CO
LSM Racing Products SC-167 - LSM LS-Series Valve Spring Compressor
http://www.jegs.com/i/LSM-Racing-Pro...C-167/10002/-1
Jegs has thier own version:
http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performan...05020/10002/-1
Keep in mind you will still need a fitting for the air compressor to pressureize the cylinders you are removing the springs for so you don't drop the valve in the engine.. you should be able to buy or make one.. we have some at my work that will do 3, 4 or 6 cyl at once (looks like a crazy spiker of air hoses). with this tool you need atleast 2 @ once.
Last edited by RedZMonte; Apr 12, 2013 at 11:46 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15,866
Likes: 196
From: PA
OP, mine looked just like yours when I bought my car in '11. It was a one owner car and records showed the engine was replaced at 5k miles.....hmmm, wonder why??? Lol. I think when they replaced it they also installed a different spring. After reading all of these spring failure reports I replaced mine last summer with new LS2 blue springs. Bought the springs from Gene here ($75) a dual valve spring tool like above ($90?) and made my own airplug tool (old plug + air fitting welded together). It was well worth the money and time spent, I feel much more relaxed now not worrying about grenading my motor. 
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