[Z06] Valve Springs
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 8,950
Likes: 24
From: West Virginia
Valve Springs
Well, just ordered a set of LS6 Valve Springs for my 22K miler '02 Z06. After reading through all the pages of the Sticky related to spring failure issues...Decided to bite the bullet and go with cheap insurance versus taking a risk of buying a new motor in case a valve drops to the pistons.....Now will call the Dealership to schedule an appointment.
Probably overkill, but damn!! Hate that forever thought of just maybe.....just maybe that spring is going to fail on my next road trip.
What do you guys think?
Probably overkill, but damn!! Hate that forever thought of just maybe.....just maybe that spring is going to fail on my next road trip.
What do you guys think?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
anywhere else you can go besides the dealer? they will rape you on prices
also probably worth changing the valve seals. only $40 for a complete set of 16 OEM GM and they take about 30 seconds to put on with the springs off
also probably worth changing the valve seals. only $40 for a complete set of 16 OEM GM and they take about 30 seconds to put on with the springs off
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 8,950
Likes: 24
From: West Virginia
As for Dealer prices on the labor, I called and they say the book calls for 5.2 hours to do the job....went on to say a quote of around $450 labor.... I've contacted 3 garages around town here, but all have passed on the job...One said after reading up on the "how to" of it, he said the manual he was reading mentioned something about having to "shim" the springs?? Huh? Sorta glad he turned down the job offer..
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the intake and exhaust seals are different so you need a set of each... I believe the prices on the site are for a complete set of 16... it isn't a hard job to do, if you are mechanically inclined you could knock it out yourself and save that money... the only reason you would have to shim the springs is if their install heights are off
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
seals are around 20 per set of 8. the exhaust will be slightly more expensive
12499224 set of 16 GM valve springs
12482063 set of 8 intake valve seals
12482062 set of 8 exhaust valve seals
12637683 valve cover gasket 2 needed
are all the part numbers. you may not need the valve cover gaskets. i bought some only because i didn't know what kind of shape mine would be in when pulled off
some guys don't change the seals but my thinking is A. they are 10 years old and rubber B. the exhaust especially are subject to a lot of heat
for $40 and no real extra labor it seemed like a no brainer
12499224 set of 16 GM valve springs
12482063 set of 8 intake valve seals
12482062 set of 8 exhaust valve seals
12637683 valve cover gasket 2 needed
are all the part numbers. you may not need the valve cover gaskets. i bought some only because i didn't know what kind of shape mine would be in when pulled off
some guys don't change the seals but my thinking is A. they are 10 years old and rubber B. the exhaust especially are subject to a lot of heat
for $40 and no real extra labor it seemed like a no brainer
Last edited by racebum; Oct 22, 2013 at 12:55 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Yes, the current GM stock springs are better than the ones that came in the LS6s. Believe the current OEM springs are the same ones GM used in the LS2/LS3 engines.
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Le Mans Master
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From: PNW
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seals are around 20 per set of 8. the exhaust will be slightly more expensive
12499224 set of 16 GM valve springs
12482063 set of 8 intake valve seals
12482062 set of 8 exhaust valve seals
12637683 valve cover gasket 2 needed
are all the part numbers. you may not need the valve cover gaskets. i bought some only because i didn't know what kind of shape mine would be in when pulled off
some guys don't change the seals but my thinking is A. they are 10 years old and rubber B. the exhaust especially are subject to a lot of heat
for $40 and no real extra labor it seemed like a no brainer
12499224 set of 16 GM valve springs
12482063 set of 8 intake valve seals
12482062 set of 8 exhaust valve seals
12637683 valve cover gasket 2 needed
are all the part numbers. you may not need the valve cover gaskets. i bought some only because i didn't know what kind of shape mine would be in when pulled off
some guys don't change the seals but my thinking is A. they are 10 years old and rubber B. the exhaust especially are subject to a lot of heat
for $40 and no real extra labor it seemed like a no brainer
Some members are recommending the PAC 1218 Beehive Valve Springs. Is there much difference between the GM springs and the 1218. Some are also recommending the PAC 1518 if I remember correctly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
I am a new owner and have also a 2002 Z06 so have been reading all the threads regarding the valve springs issue.
Some members are recommending the PAC 1218 Beehive Valve Springs. Is there much difference between the GM springs and the 1218. Some are also recommending the PAC 1518 if I remember correctly.
Some members are recommending the PAC 1218 Beehive Valve Springs. Is there much difference between the GM springs and the 1218. Some are also recommending the PAC 1518 if I remember correctly.
If money isn't a concern, go with the 1518s.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
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From: Plano TX
Brian Tooley Platininum dual springs is what I have now ... I replaced my stock springs with the newer Blue OEM springs in 2011.. after 1 year (4000) miles ALL of those NEW OEM springs were only holding 65 psi of pressure, and made marks on my camshaft... All of this was discovered when I did my aftermarket camshaft, heads, and exhaust job back in January of this year...
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 50
From: Goldsboro NC
Brian Tooley Platininum dual springs is what I have now ... I replaced my stock springs with the newer Blue OEM springs in 2011.. after 1 year (4000) miles ALL of those NEW OEM springs were only holding 65 psi of pressure, and made marks on my camshaft... All of this was discovered when I did my aftermarket camshaft, heads, and exhaust job back in January of this year...
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
I am a new owner and have also a 2002 Z06 so have been reading all the threads regarding the valve springs issue.
Some members are recommending the PAC 1218 Beehive Valve Springs. Is there much difference between the GM springs and the 1218. Some are also recommending the PAC 1518 if I remember correctly.
Some members are recommending the PAC 1218 Beehive Valve Springs. Is there much difference between the GM springs and the 1218. Some are also recommending the PAC 1518 if I remember correctly.
if not it's just more pressure on the lifters and more money spent for no real benefit. the new ls3 springs from gm have an extremely low failure rate from the research i did
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
Brian Tooley Platininum dual springs is what I have now ... I replaced my stock springs with the newer Blue OEM springs in 2011.. after 1 year (4000) miles ALL of those NEW OEM springs were only holding 65 psi of pressure, and made marks on my camshaft... All of this was discovered when I did my aftermarket camshaft, heads, and exhaust job back in January of this year...
i checked a 90k mile stock springs against one of the new blues and they were within 3lbs of each other at the same height
marks or scuffs would have me suspecting oil first and foremost. the new api SN/SM oils with the lower zddp levels really are not choice for high performance driving. the mobil1 high mileage is better, better still are amsoil zrod or redline that have over double the zddp of standard oils. big big deal for metal on metal contact. too little spring pressure would have you floating the valves all the time and beating the snot out of your valve seats
Last edited by racebum; Oct 23, 2013 at 02:48 PM.
Advanced
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"I" wouldnt say that.... the new GM replacement springs have more coils than the 1218s... load distribution is key.. more coils = more even load (laws of physics, which I am a college professor of Engineering, and teach that course).. therefore, I would say the stock GM springs are better than the 1218s...
I know this has been talked about on this forum several times. And has caused several heated debates. I dont have time for those. So, I will just say..
you have your opinion, I have mine.
I know this has been talked about on this forum several times. And has caused several heated debates. I dont have time for those. So, I will just say..
you have your opinion, I have mine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
they are stiffer and can handle more lift. not really sure if they are "better" as i don't know how a person would define better. if you're planning a cam down the road they would be the way to go for sure
if not it's just more pressure on the lifters and more money spent for no real benefit. the new ls3 springs from gm have an extremely low failure rate from the research i did
if not it's just more pressure on the lifters and more money spent for no real benefit. the new ls3 springs from gm have an extremely low failure rate from the research i did
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
"I" wouldnt say that.... the new GM replacement springs have more coils than the 1218s... load distribution is key.. more coils = more even load (laws of physics, which I am a college professor of Engineering, and teach that course).. therefore, I would say the stock GM springs are better than the 1218s...
I know this has been talked about on this forum several times. And has caused several heated debates. I dont have time for those. So, I will just say..
you have your opinion, I have mine.
I know this has been talked about on this forum several times. And has caused several heated debates. I dont have time for those. So, I will just say..
you have your opinion, I have mine.