Need some valve spring advice.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 980
From: Whitby Ont.
Need some valve spring advice.
I am changing my LS1 cam to something a little more aggressive,the cam I would like to update to has a .588 lift, should use a single behive for a .600 lift,or go to a dbl spring good for .650 ? Car doesn t see the track and only put on approximatley 3000 mi a year,only drive it on sunny days,wknds,is parked from Nov to May.
Thank you for any input.
Al
Thank you for any input.
Al
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 3
From: Ottawa Ontario, Canada
PAC 1518 is a good upgrade. It's a beehive that will work with stock retainer and keepers, good to .650 lift, and doesn't increase valvetrain load much beyond what the LS6 springs do. In fact, at .550 lift they only have ~8lbs more open force than the LS6 springs, but higher seat force.
These are well regarded as one of the higher quality replacement springs. I chose them because I was replacing the springs in my stock LS6 after breaking an OEM spring, and I wanted something that would last forever on the stock cam and be able to handle a cam upgrade as well. I'm now running an LPE GT11 cam with .631/.644 lift, but the LS6 has hollow intake and sodium filled exhaust valves... the light weight is a bonus where high revs are considered.
If your proposed cam has really agressive lobes you might need something stiffer; I would talk to the cam manufacturer for specific advice.
These are well regarded as one of the higher quality replacement springs. I chose them because I was replacing the springs in my stock LS6 after breaking an OEM spring, and I wanted something that would last forever on the stock cam and be able to handle a cam upgrade as well. I'm now running an LPE GT11 cam with .631/.644 lift, but the LS6 has hollow intake and sodium filled exhaust valves... the light weight is a bonus where high revs are considered.
If your proposed cam has really agressive lobes you might need something stiffer; I would talk to the cam manufacturer for specific advice.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 28
From: Vancouver Washington
PAC 1518 is a good upgrade. It's a beehive that will work with stock retainer and keepers, good to .650 lift, and doesn't increase valvetrain load much beyond what the LS6 springs do. In fact, at .550 lift they only have ~8lbs more open force than the LS6 springs, but higher seat force.
These are well regarded as one of the higher quality replacement springs. I chose them because I was replacing the springs in my stock LS6 after breaking an OEM spring, and I wanted something that would last forever on the stock cam and be able to handle a cam upgrade as well. I'm now running an LPE GT11 cam with .631/.644 lift, but the LS6 has hollow intake and sodium filled exhaust valves... the light weight is a bonus where high revs are considered.
If your proposed cam has really agressive lobes you might need something stiffer; I would talk to the cam manufacturer for specific advice.
These are well regarded as one of the higher quality replacement springs. I chose them because I was replacing the springs in my stock LS6 after breaking an OEM spring, and I wanted something that would last forever on the stock cam and be able to handle a cam upgrade as well. I'm now running an LPE GT11 cam with .631/.644 lift, but the LS6 has hollow intake and sodium filled exhaust valves... the light weight is a bonus where high revs are considered.
If your proposed cam has really agressive lobes you might need something stiffer; I would talk to the cam manufacturer for specific advice.
Four years on the track with 1518s and no problems whatsoever.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
I'm running the double Patriot gold springs for .650 lift. After talking to the guys at Advanced Induction about spring pressure I'm a believer there is HP in having more, not less. With the ramp speeds of these new cam lobes you want the valve train and lifters to stay in place at high RPM. Plus you have the extra spring incase one breaks .... and they do break! 
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 980
From: Whitby Ont.
I appreciate the input. the cam mfg, tells me i should go with Precision Race Components .650" double spring kit, I was leaning towards the Pac 1518, which is good to .650". Will have to weigh it all out I guess.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 156
From: Huntington tx
I got .588 lift and Texas Speed and Performance spec'd out PAC 1218's for it, no trouble for about 15,000 miles so far.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QydZ7OOroTs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QydZ7OOroTs
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 980
From: Whitby Ont.
That is the same cam I am looking at 288R, they told me PRC .650 double spring, the one they recommond to you is .600 lift beehive. very interesting scenario. $100. difference, I may as well have the gold as them.
thanks for the vid.
thanks for the vid.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
If OP is putting in a cam with 0.588" lift, I'd go with the 1518 for some "safety margin".
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 3
From: Ottawa Ontario, Canada
If you think about it, the spring only needs to be strong enough to keep the lifter following the cam at whatever rpm you're reving to. Any excess spring force is just making life more difficult for your lifters, pushrods and rocker arms.
There may be a safety benefit to having a double spring in case of failure, but using a .650 lift capable spring on a .588 cam is a pretty good safety margin also.
Make sure, whatever you buy, that it's what you need and not just what happens to be on the shelf and easy to sell.
There may be a safety benefit to having a double spring in case of failure, but using a .650 lift capable spring on a .588 cam is a pretty good safety margin also.
Make sure, whatever you buy, that it's what you need and not just what happens to be on the shelf and easy to sell.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 980
From: Whitby Ont.
I got .588 lift and Texas Speed and Performance spec'd out PAC 1218's for it, no trouble for about 15,000 miles so far.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QydZ7OOroTs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QydZ7OOroTs
If you think about it, the spring only needs to be strong enough to keep the lifter following the cam at whatever rpm you're reving to. Any excess spring force is just making life more difficult for your lifters, pushrods and rocker arms.
There may be a safety benefit to having a double spring in case of failure, but using a .650 lift capable spring on a .588 cam is a pretty good safety margin also.
Make sure, whatever you buy, that it's what you need and not just what happens to be on the shelf and easy to sell.
There may be a safety benefit to having a double spring in case of failure, but using a .650 lift capable spring on a .588 cam is a pretty good safety margin also.
Make sure, whatever you buy, that it's what you need and not just what happens to be on the shelf and easy to sell.
mfg suggests the double PRC .650" kit. the pac 1518 is the same only single spring. both do the same job,specs are close to the same,PRC has a little more load pressure. I have seen a lot favouring 1518 and have seen nothing on PRC 650 dbl spring kit.
thanks Al
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
I got .588 lift and Texas Speed and Performance spec'd out PAC 1218's for it, no trouble for about 15,000 miles so far.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QydZ7OOroTs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QydZ7OOroTs
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 2
From: Portland OR
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12
It really depends on the lobes.. he would have .575 lift and might still should use a double for protection depending on the lobe profile
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
