[Z06] Valve springs
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
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From: PA
Check out the first page of the sticky at the top of this section
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-failures.html
04's had a very low 'reported' rate of spring failure. Late model year 02's - early 03's had the most by far. Not a bad idea to replace springs on an 04 but not as critical as earlier years.
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https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-failures.html
04's had a very low 'reported' rate of spring failure. Late model year 02's - early 03's had the most by far. Not a bad idea to replace springs on an 04 but not as critical as earlier years.
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Last edited by MY03C5Z; Aug 31, 2017 at 07:42 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,654
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From: Erlanger, Kentucky
A set of new LS6 springs is $70 and a few hours of your time. Even if there is a 1% chance of failure, its still a good idea to replace them considering how cheap it is. And in my opinion, its a good idea to think of valve springs a wear item. Its also a good excuse to get in there and change out the valve seals at the same time.
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
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A set of new LS6 springs is $70 and a few hours of your time. Even if there is a 1% chance of failure, its still a good idea to replace them considering how cheap it is. And in my opinion, its a good idea to think of valve springs a wear item. Its also a good excuse to get in there and change out the valve seals at the same time.
Still beats $6500 new ls6. 😯
Last edited by Noam Tasini; Aug 31, 2017 at 11:59 PM.
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A set of new LS6 springs is $70 and a few hours of your time. Even if there is a 1% chance of failure, its still a good idea to replace them considering how cheap it is. And in my opinion, its a good idea to think of valve springs a wear item. Its also a good excuse to get in there and change out the valve seals at the same time.
Intake and exhaust seals: Fel-Pro Valve Stem Intake/Exhaust Seals SS71039 (set of 16 for $19). Less than half the price of OEM which are part # 12482063 for intake seals ($23) and part # 12482062 ($26) for exhaust seals).
Valve cover gaskets: FEL-PRO VS50504R1 (with grommets $17) or VS50504R (without grommets $11). About half the price of OEM valve cover gaskets which are sold individually rather than as a pair.
I ordered from Summit Racing since they price matched to GMPartsDirect.co (cheapest out the door price on the valve springs) to give me free shipping.
Trunions upgrade (around $125) is optional (no known cases of failure on LS6) but recommended if doing cam mods in future. But, can always add them later.
Tell installer to check valve spring retainer condition (but they should be fine to reuse).
I found a Corvette mechanic who works at the dealership but does work on the side...he's willing to do the labor for $300 which is the cheapest quote I got.
Last edited by ArmchairArchitect; Sep 6, 2017 at 02:34 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,731
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From: Douglas County WI
It's kind of like tires. The tread is almost gone but I can still keep going on them. Will one blow out before you get new ones? Is it worth the gamble? Except tires are WAY cheaper than a new LS6. When I changed my valve springs (and plugs, wires, gaskets) it took almost as long to do the plugs and wires as it did to do the springs. Like others have said, it is well worth the peace of mind.
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
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It's kind of like tires. The tread is almost gone but I can still keep going on them. Will one blow out before you get new ones? Is it worth the gamble? Except tires are WAY cheaper than a new LS6. When I changed my valve springs (and plugs, wires, gaskets) it took almost as long to do the plugs and wires as it did to do the springs. Like others have said, it is well worth the peace of mind.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Douglas County WI
It's a 2002 built in April 02. Right smack in the middle of the bad springs time frame. Mine had 44000 on it I think when I changed them in April of this year. I felt like I was playing Russian Roulette. I was afraid to wind the engine up over 2000 rpms for fear of hearing the motor coming apart at the seams so I changed them for the the peace of mind. Why become a statistic? Better safe than sorry. You'll feel the better for it if you change them even though you're on the extreme tail end of the beast.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
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It's a 2002 built in April 02. Right smack in the middle of the bad springs time frame. Mine had 44000 on it I think when I changed them in April of this year. I felt like I was playing Russian Roulette. I was afraid to wind the engine up over 2000 rpms for fear of hearing the motor coming apart at the seams so I changed them for the the peace of mind. Why become a statistic? Better safe than sorry. You'll feel the better for it if you change them even though you're on the extreme tail end of the beast.
Drifting
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absolutely.
Le Mans Master
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From: Granbury Texas
