Valve Spring question...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 331
From: Ocala FL
Valve Spring question...
OK, so this is probably a silly question but I'm going to ask anyways...
I just got a set of used ported and milled (0.030') 853 heads with a Thunder Racing 224 cam with 112 LSA.
The heads were used and have Comp Cams 918 beehive springs on them. I was told that they have ~15k miles on them since install.
For peace of mind I'm planning to replace the springs before installing the heads and cam on my LS1.
What is the advantadge/disadvantage of the beehives vs. dual springs?
I'm not looking to make a track monster but just a fun street car with some extra get up and go. I also have a set of breathless LT headers and will have a proted stock TB with an LS6 intake manifold and will get the Vette dyno tuned. I figure changing the springs now before I install the heads is something I can DIY and not need any special tools. Thanks in advance!
I just got a set of used ported and milled (0.030') 853 heads with a Thunder Racing 224 cam with 112 LSA.
The heads were used and have Comp Cams 918 beehive springs on them. I was told that they have ~15k miles on them since install.
For peace of mind I'm planning to replace the springs before installing the heads and cam on my LS1.
What is the advantadge/disadvantage of the beehives vs. dual springs?
I'm not looking to make a track monster but just a fun street car with some extra get up and go. I also have a set of breathless LT headers and will have a proted stock TB with an LS6 intake manifold and will get the Vette dyno tuned. I figure changing the springs now before I install the heads is something I can DIY and not need any special tools. Thanks in advance!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Beehives are lighter and less of the spring coils are in motion at any position then a dual spring. Also, the smaller upper diameter requires less mass in the retainer. Finally, the stiffness is somewhat non-linear so harmonics are less defined. In your situation, I think I would buy a set of PAC 1518 beehive springs and install them on the heads. Get a spring micrometer and correctly measure installed height so you can figure out seat force of the spring. You should also run all the other clearance numbers such as distance to seal, coil clearance, etc.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 331
From: Ocala FL
Beehives are lighter and less of the spring coils are in motion at any position then a dual spring. Also, the smaller upper diameter requires less mass in the retainer. Finally, the stiffness is somewhat non-linear so harmonics are less defined. In your situation, I think I would buy a set of PAC 1518 beehive springs and install them on the heads. Get a spring micrometer and correctly measure installed height so you can figure out seat force of the spring. You should also run all the other clearance numbers such as distance to seal, coil clearance, etc.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 9
From: Springhill FL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 25
From: Blue Ridge Georgia
I'm a dual spring guy. I had a dual spring break on a 383 stroker with about 100 miles on the motor and the dual spring saved my motor. I'll NEVER run anything other than a dual spring.
