Valve Spring ??

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Jan 30, 2006 | 11:00 AM

byte_me

Thread Starter

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 4,508

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From: Coconut Creek FL

Valve Spring ??

Hello all -

I am in the process of buying a NEW set of 04 LS6 heads with stock valves, springs, retainers and locks...

My question is - if I want to put in a set of say Comp 918's do I need to get different retainers\locks etc... or can I reuse the NEW ones on the LS6 srpings and valves?

These heads have never been fired...

Also - the LS6 springs say they are rated to a .570 max lift, if I get a cam that is close to that (around .563) am I running a risk of spring issues being that I am close to the ceiling of the springs?

Thanks!

Jan 30, 2006 | 11:34 AM

lost

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 1,613

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From: Spring Tx

My understanding is that the 26918s are the same beehive design and same dimensions as the stock Ls1/6 spring, the only difference being open and closed seat pressures and coil bind dimensions, which determines useful lift.Where lift isn't critical ,but if more seat pressure is necessary, Manley makes a thicker[+.050} retainer.Keepers are the same, but if retainers are not titanium, titanium is recommended, they too are the same size.

Jan 30, 2006 | 11:37 AM

Jim Taylor

Pro

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 517

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From: Arlington Texas

I don't know the answer to the lift question, but you can definitely reuse the stock retainers and locks with the 918's. That's what I've done. I believe you'll need to switch to titanium retainers if you go with any stiffer spring; e.g., duals.

Jan 30, 2006 | 12:01 PM

vettenuts

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 1999

Posts: 22,025

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From: At the beach in little Rhody

Don't re-use your stock retainers. Get the Comps. Fit of the retainer in the spring needs to be snug otherwise the spring will move relative to the retainer. I know a lot of people use their stock retainers, but it is asking for problems. Call Comp you will get the same answer.

Jan 31, 2006 | 08:28 PM

magredZ51

Instructor

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 156

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From: Michigan

Quote:

Originally Posted by byte_me

Hello all -

Also - the LS6 springs say they are rated to a .570 max lift, if I get a cam that is close to that (around .563) am I running a risk of spring issues being that I am close to the ceiling of the springs?

Thanks!

Careful when selecting springs based on lift of cam. You need to
also consider the ramp rate of the cam. A more aggressive ramp
requires more spring pressure.

For example the popular TR224 is only .562 lift but has a lobe
somewhere between a XE and a XER, so LS6 springs are not
acceptable.