Valve Float - I need spring recommendations and R&R Help
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
Valve Float - I need spring recommendations and R&R Help
While dynoing my A&A on Saturday I had a HUGE dip a ~5000-5500 which smoothed out afterwards. First thought I had bad detonation problems, replaced plugs and wires since they were pretty old and had seen the old 150 shot more than a few times. That didn't help. Mike at G-Force offered to swap the coil packs off his vette which didn' thelp either. Three different experienced guys said they thought it was valve float.
So I need some springs, retainers (Ti preferrably), seals, and in-car spring remover, tool to hook up to my compressor to keep the valves in and a little advice on the swap. Any input on any of this is appreciated!
So far the best I've found is Patriot's spring set for $279. In car spring compressors seem to go for ~$100.
BTW: I made 475/430 despite the 75-100 HP dip ~5000. On my way to 500 RWHP when I get the springs swapped.
So I need some springs, retainers (Ti preferrably), seals, and in-car spring remover, tool to hook up to my compressor to keep the valves in and a little advice on the swap. Any input on any of this is appreciated!
So far the best I've found is Patriot's spring set for $279. In car spring compressors seem to go for ~$100.
BTW: I made 475/430 despite the 75-100 HP dip ~5000. On my way to 500 RWHP when I get the springs swapped.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
The Crane/Vinci valve spring tool is the cat **** as far as spring changes go. You also don't need a compressor, just use the TDC method which places each piston at top dead center and then do the two pistons that are at the top. The valves only drop about 1/4" when you do this.
What cam are you running? That will help determine the valve springs you need. Stock rockers or aftermarket?
What cam are you running? That will help determine the valve springs you need. Stock rockers or aftermarket?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 0
From: bloomfield nj
could be valve guides[probably exhaust,if you're not burning oil].reason being,i wouldn't think it would smooth out above 5500,once the motor goes into float,it just gets worse after that.regardless,with 88k on them,you may be just better off rebuilding them.JMO
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 76
From: Bedford Va.
with 88k I would go the cheapest route.
how about some z06 springs-someone should have a set
they removed. the gold springs are good-no REV springs.
save your money for heads etc later. then you can go to comp 921.
I used a air compressor and a spring tool from thunder racing.
how about some z06 springs-someone should have a set
they removed. the gold springs are good-no REV springs.
save your money for heads etc later. then you can go to comp 921.
I used a air compressor and a spring tool from thunder racing.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
I would go with the Z06 springs, but get new ones. There were issues with some of them and they were improved in the later Z06 model years. Stock retainers, etc. Might as well do seals while you are in there. Follow the service manual on removing and re-tightening the rockers. It is easy, but most don't know how to do it properly.
Don't get the valve spring tool that grabs the springs with the two claws, get one that depresses the retainer. The Crane tool as I mentioned is the best one I have ever used and it does two springs at once.
Don't get the valve spring tool that grabs the springs with the two claws, get one that depresses the retainer. The Crane tool as I mentioned is the best one I have ever used and it does two springs at once.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
Hmmm... $100 for LS6/LS2 springs and seals or $300 for dual springs and Ti retainers. If some LS6/LS2 springs would prevent the floating I guess thats all I need. Are they that much stronger than LS1 springs?
Last edited by 5 Liter Eater; Jan 16, 2006 at 07:54 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 66
From: Middletown CT
Originally Posted by 5 Liter Eater
Good point, I just want to be sure the LS6/LS2 springs are strong enough to sure my valve float.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
Here are some specs I found from this thread: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...re&forum_id=49
Stock LS1 springs
O.D:
I.D:
seat pressure: 75 @ 1.800
open pressure: 230 @ ?
03+ LS6 springs(orange):
max lift ~.580
O.D
I.D:
seat pressure: 90 @ 1.800
open pressure: 294 @ ?
Comp 918's
Outside Diameter (O.D.): 1.290"/1.060"
Inside Diameter (I.D.): .885"/.656"
Installed Pressure: 130 lbs @ 1.800"
Open Pressure: 318 lbs @ 1.200''
Coil Bind: 1.085"
Maximum Lift: 0.625"
Rate (lbs/in): 313 lbs/in
Comp 921's
O.D: 1.300
I.D: .870 (outer spring)
I.D: .655 (inner spring)
135 LBS @ 1.770
400 LBS @ 1.220
COIL BIND @ 1.040
MAX LIFT .650
PRC Dual Spring Kit
seat : 140lbs
open: 390lbs
install : 1.800
coil bind: 1.07
1.290 O.D.
max lift : .660
matl : super pure chrome silicone
Still up in the air whether to go with LS6/LS2's or PRC's.
Stock LS1 springs
O.D:
I.D:
seat pressure: 75 @ 1.800
open pressure: 230 @ ?
03+ LS6 springs(orange):
max lift ~.580
O.D
I.D:
seat pressure: 90 @ 1.800
open pressure: 294 @ ?
Comp 918's
Outside Diameter (O.D.): 1.290"/1.060"
Inside Diameter (I.D.): .885"/.656"
Installed Pressure: 130 lbs @ 1.800"
Open Pressure: 318 lbs @ 1.200''
Coil Bind: 1.085"
Maximum Lift: 0.625"
Rate (lbs/in): 313 lbs/in
Comp 921's
O.D: 1.300
I.D: .870 (outer spring)
I.D: .655 (inner spring)
135 LBS @ 1.770
400 LBS @ 1.220
COIL BIND @ 1.040
MAX LIFT .650
PRC Dual Spring Kit
seat : 140lbs
open: 390lbs
install : 1.800
coil bind: 1.07
1.290 O.D.
max lift : .660
matl : super pure chrome silicone
Still up in the air whether to go with LS6/LS2's or PRC's.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,795
Likes: 11
From: Long Island NY
did you dyno look something like this?
if so, then do the springs.. i did my 918's a week ago and everything smoothed out to this
i also had a great tool to do the sway.. took about 2 hours i used the air hose to keep the valves up.. about $10 @ pepboys.. i found it easier to cut the hole in half and make my own air fitting.. it's easier to turn into the spark plug hole w/o the hose binding up.
LMK if i can help out anymore
if so, then do the springs.. i did my 918's a week ago and everything smoothed out to this
i also had a great tool to do the sway.. took about 2 hours
i used the air hose to keep the valves up.. about $10 @ pepboys.. i found it easier to cut the hole in half and make my own air fitting.. it's easier to turn into the spark plug hole w/o the hose binding up. LMK if i can help out anymore
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,795
Likes: 11
From: Long Island NY
Originally Posted by FRCBobby
BlkSS1755, that is an awesome tool, that is the one we borrowed from a friend to do my swap. I would like to get one of those tools where can you buy them from.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
Likes: 227
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by FRCBobby
BlkSS1755, that is an awesome tool, that is the one we borrowed from a friend to do my swap. I would like to get one of those tools where can you buy them from.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by BlkSS1755
did you dyno look something like this?
)! Same RPM points and everything! I'll post mine when I get it scanned. This did help a lot! Need to make myself the air compressor adapter and get one of those Larry spring compressors. Oh, and some 918's. Pretty sure I want to go with them. all the duals would be overkill and I'm not 100% confident the LS6 springs would be enough.
Last edited by 5 Liter Eater; Jan 16, 2006 at 10:53 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,795
Likes: 11
From: Long Island NY
Originally Posted by 5 Liter Eater
I'm not 100% confident the LS6 springs would be enough.