[Z06] Double Valve springs
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 243
Likes: 1
Double Valve springs
Hi,
I have a dedicated track car 2002 c5 z06. LG headers, intake and tuned to 401 RWHP. Rest stock, including cam. I am just about to have valve springs replaced just out of caution and my vette shop is pretty insistent that I should go with a double spring. One supplier 'Comp Cams' recommended NOT to go with double spring as puts more pressure / strain on the arms and cam and also takes away HP.
Can anyone give me solid advice. My car is used at tracks that require most of the laps in 3rd at very high rpm. Also any particular brand or spec?
Many thanks
I have a dedicated track car 2002 c5 z06. LG headers, intake and tuned to 401 RWHP. Rest stock, including cam. I am just about to have valve springs replaced just out of caution and my vette shop is pretty insistent that I should go with a double spring. One supplier 'Comp Cams' recommended NOT to go with double spring as puts more pressure / strain on the arms and cam and also takes away HP.
Can anyone give me solid advice. My car is used at tracks that require most of the laps in 3rd at very high rpm. Also any particular brand or spec?
Many thanks
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,639
Likes: 39
From: Winston-Salem North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
My shop (ECS) used comp 921 double springs on my engine. It was built with track duty in mind. It has a tuned/cammed ls3 putting out 500 rwhp/486 rwtq. I do use it on the street, my normal tracks are NJMSP, Pocono, Watkins Glen, and once in a while VIR, all 3-4th gear tracks and usually wind out 4th gear the 145-149 mph. I hope this helps, and I believe the reason for double springs is in case a spring breaks (sustained high rpms,5500-6700)the double shouldn't let a valve stem fall into the engine. I'm not a mechanic, this is just what i've been told/read.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 243
Likes: 1
My shop (ECS) used comp 921 double springs on my engine. It was built with track duty in mind. It has a tuned/cammed ls3 putting out 500 rwhp/486 rwtq. I do use it on the street, my normal tracks are NJMSP, Pocono, Watkins Glen, and once in a while VIR, all 3-4th gear tracks and usually wind out 4th gear the 145-149 mph. I hope this helps, and I believe the reason for double springs is in case a spring breaks (sustained high rpms,5500-6700)the double shouldn't let a valve stem fall into the engine. I'm not a mechanic, this is just what i've been told/read.
Many thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 315
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
Hi,
I have a dedicated track car 2002 c5 z06. LG headers, intake and tuned to 401 RWHP. Rest stock, including cam. I am just about to have valve springs replaced just out of caution and my vette shop is pretty insistent that I should go with a double spring. One supplier 'Comp Cams' recommended NOT to go with double spring as puts more pressure / strain on the arms and cam and also takes away HP.
Can anyone give me solid advice. My car is used at tracks that require most of the laps in 3rd at very high rpm. Also any particular brand or spec?
Many thanks
I have a dedicated track car 2002 c5 z06. LG headers, intake and tuned to 401 RWHP. Rest stock, including cam. I am just about to have valve springs replaced just out of caution and my vette shop is pretty insistent that I should go with a double spring. One supplier 'Comp Cams' recommended NOT to go with double spring as puts more pressure / strain on the arms and cam and also takes away HP.
Can anyone give me solid advice. My car is used at tracks that require most of the laps in 3rd at very high rpm. Also any particular brand or spec?
Many thanks
"The PAC single valve springs will use your factory seats, seals, retainers, and locks! We recommend stepping up to a dual valve spring kit if you plan to run more than .600" lift and/or a valve larger than 2.08" diameter".
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 243
Likes: 1
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,580
Likes: 964
From: Communist Colorado
I went with a single bee hive. Its a higher quality spring than factory. My thinking was that the less mass to move in the valve trane the better rpm response. My cam is a Texas Speed Torquer V2. .598/.598 I dont track the car, but I run the car pretty hard sometimes and touch the rev limiter. I have had no issues so far. 411/380 to the wheels.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 359
Likes: 2
From: somewhere
I think most vendors will tell you not to use a double spring on a stock cam car. My bolt on, stock cam car uses PAC 1518 springs and I did a ton of research before pulling the trigger. I spoke to quite a few vendors on this forum. Good luck! 
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 412
From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Pick the springs based on the cam. Just throwing on a set of 'dual springs' can, and may do more harm than good.
It will take more HP to spin the engine over with the stronger springs is one of the downsides but it can also lead to increased wear on the cam, lifters, valves, and seats. You may say, then why do this on an upgraded cam? Well in the case of a more aggressive profile, or higher lift cam you will need the extra pressure on it to make sure the valves do not float or the lifters are not thrown from the cam.
There maybe some dual springs you can use, but most stock cams are going to just take a single spring.
It will take more HP to spin the engine over with the stronger springs is one of the downsides but it can also lead to increased wear on the cam, lifters, valves, and seats. You may say, then why do this on an upgraded cam? Well in the case of a more aggressive profile, or higher lift cam you will need the extra pressure on it to make sure the valves do not float or the lifters are not thrown from the cam.
There maybe some dual springs you can use, but most stock cams are going to just take a single spring.