C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Beehive Springs Retainer & Locks ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 8, 2009 | 12:41 PM
  #1  
Hvymtlc5's Avatar
Hvymtlc5
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,468
Likes: 18
From: Lake Ozark, MO
Default Beehive Springs Retainer & Locks ?

Can I use my stock LS1 retainers and locks with Comp Cams (or any other mfgr) beehive type springs?? Or, are they vendor specific?
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2009 | 01:05 PM
  #2  
vettenuts's Avatar
vettenuts
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Default

They should not be a loose fit, but many re-use stock. The steel will hold up better on the street.
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2009 | 04:38 PM
  #3  
itzza427's Avatar
itzza427
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
Default

I would say NO!!The Whole concept of the bee hive springs is that there is that the spring diameter tapers to a noticeably smaller diameter at the top.The two main reasons is to reduce harmonics at higher RPM and to reduce reciprocating mass at the tip,,which is mainly comprised of the retainers and locks. From what I remember reading this smaller size acts similar to replacing stock retainers with titanium pieces at a much smaller price! Stock probably wouldn't fit on beehives anyhow.
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2009 | 04:57 PM
  #4  
FKING1's Avatar
FKING1
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
Default

Stocks will fit on beehives. Have one on my 2000. Would recommend titanium though. I just replaced one broken comp Cam spring, non beehive.
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2009 | 05:46 PM
  #5  
vettenuts's Avatar
vettenuts
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Default

Originally Posted by itzza427
I would say NO!!The Whole concept of the bee hive springs is that there is that the spring diameter tapers to a noticeably smaller diameter at the top.The two main reasons is to reduce harmonics at higher RPM and to reduce reciprocating mass at the tip,,which is mainly comprised of the retainers and locks. From what I remember reading this smaller size acts similar to replacing stock retainers with titanium pieces at a much smaller price! Stock probably wouldn't fit on beehives anyhow.
Stock springs are beehives, not sure I understand.
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2009 | 08:15 AM
  #6  
Hvymtlc5's Avatar
Hvymtlc5
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,468
Likes: 18
From: Lake Ozark, MO
Default

Was told to just buyt the Comp springs and use the stock steel retainers and locks...since there was a conflict with info found on this subject....I put it here...and we seem to have a conflict too on agreeing if the stocks can be used.
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2009 | 10:37 AM
  #7  
mvvette97's Avatar
mvvette97
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,394
Likes: 12
From: Leon Iowa
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Default

Yes you can use the stock locks and retainers with the behive springs like the comp 918 or pac. Though I will never use comp 918s again in my life. My engine could of be trashed because of the 918s. I was lucky and caught it in time. 8 out of 16 broken spring and comp even admited it was the spring.
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2009 | 11:22 AM
  #8  
Casem1's Avatar
Casem1
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 837
Likes: 2
From: Derry NH
Default

Originally Posted by mvvette97
Yes you can use the stock locks and retainers with the behive springs like the comp 918 or pac. Though I will never use comp 918s again in my life. My engine could of be trashed because of the 918s. I was lucky and caught it in time. 8 out of 16 broken spring and comp even admited it was the spring.


This was an issue at one point, when did you buy these springs?

I have been using comp 918s for over 3 years. 1 year with stock retainers and the rest with Ti retainers. These springs see 6800 RPM on the track frequently and I have had no issues at all. Edelbrock/Lingenfelter even uses them on their heads, that is all the R&D I need. Also, the edelbrock heads have Ti retainers fwiw.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette

 Pouria Savadkouei
Old Jan 9, 2009 | 11:27 AM
  #9  
vettenuts's Avatar
vettenuts
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Default

There are several beehives out there. My personal favorites is the PSI 1511ML, but not sure on stock retainers with them. Second, in my opinion, would be the PAC 1518 followed by the PAC 1218. PAC used to make the Comp 918's until they switched vendors (and ran into problems). The PAC 1218 is the equivalent to the original good Comp 918. The 1518's have additonal surface treatment for longer life.

Last edited by vettenuts; Jan 9, 2009 at 07:56 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2009 | 11:30 AM
  #10  
Jon@Texas-Speed's Avatar
0Jon@Texas-Speed
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Lubbock Texas
Default

With a Comp 918 spring, you CAN use the factory retainers and locks.

The issues Comp had with the springs has been resolved with a completely new spring. It has been well over a year since we have seen an issue with the 918's. I wouldn't sweat it at all putting one on my car. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Jon
Texas Speed & Performance
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2009 | 11:35 AM
  #11  
midyearvette's Avatar
midyearvette
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
Default the first bee-hives

anyone remember when the first bee hives were introduced and by whom??.................the first time i saw them was on a 59 olds 392 engine...pretty cool
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2009 | 12:19 PM
  #12  
vettenuts's Avatar
vettenuts
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Default

Originally Posted by midyearvette
anyone remember when the first bee hives were introduced and by whom??.................the first time i saw them was on a 59 olds 392 engine...pretty cool
That's what I was told older guys remember
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2009 | 12:48 PM
  #13  
itzza427's Avatar
itzza427
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
Default

Originally Posted by vettenuts
Stock springs are beehives, not sure I understand.
OOPS! Kind of new to the Gen III ,,,Was unaware that they were already Beehive!!My bad!!Just assumed they were standard,,,and you know what happens when you do that!! Learning something new here all the time!!Sorry!!
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2009 | 03:02 PM
  #14  
vettenuts's Avatar
vettenuts
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Default

Originally Posted by itzza427
OOPS! Kind of new to the Gen III ,,,Was unaware that they were already Beehive!!My bad!!Just assumed they were standard,,,and you know what happens when you do that!! Learning something new here all the time!!Sorry!!
No problem, that's how we all learn.
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2009 | 05:26 PM
  #15  
Last C5's Avatar
Last C5
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 28
From: Vancouver Washington
Default

Originally Posted by Casem1
This was an issue at one point, when did you buy these springs?

I have been using comp 918s for over 3 years. 1 year with stock retainers and the rest with Ti retainers. These springs see 6800 RPM on the track frequently and I have had no issues at all. Edelbrock/Lingenfelter even uses them on their heads, that is all the R&D I need. Also, the edelbrock heads have Ti retainers fwiw.
Comp doesn't make their own springs. They buy from who ever will make the springs for them at the lowest price. This is why you never know whether your getting a good set of springs from Comp or, as has happened often in the past, a set that will fail on you. Comp always replaces the spring sets when they get a bad batch, but that doesn't replace the time, money, and aggravation you spend. Buy a set of PACs and go racing.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Beehive Springs Retainer & Locks ?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:43 AM.

story-0
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-20 17:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE
story-9
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette

Slideshow: Check out these easy-to-install upgrades from Extreme Online Store that reshape the look and feel of the C6 Corvette.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-03-23 17:00:27


VIEW MORE