Ok so I have had the cam in my 03 Z06 for about 2 months now. A couple days after I got done with the install and tune I started getting some smoke coming from the exhaust. At first I thought it was running rich due to the smell I was getting but the car also has no cats but never has even before the cam. I had my tuner look at the tune and the fuel trims were right on target. I havent had a wideband on it since the dyno though. The smoke looks to be a light grey color. I pulled out 2 plugs from each side and all 4 looked pretty much brand new. No fuel, and no signs of oil on the plugs. I heard some people had problems with the bolt holes on the rocker arms going through to the runners in the head allowing oil past the threads. I pulled all the rockers off and installed thread sealant on the rocker bolts and still have the same problem. The valve stem seals were replaced with the ones TSP sent with my duel valve springs and seem to be good as I would imagine the oil would show up on plugs if it wear the stem seals. Also I have checked the coolant and oil level multiple times and both are always dead on with no signs of bad head gaskets. (heads were pulled off to install new lifters). I did install a catch can with the cam swap and from everything I can find online it is hooked up the correct way and is catching some oil. Now this smoke only seems to be noticeable at idle and doesnt seem to happen all the time or isnt as noticeable all the time. Does anyone have any other suggestions because it is rather embarrassing to be sitting at a stop light and having all the smoke.

 

Did yall change the valve seals when doing the cam install?

 

yes all valve seals were replaced with the ones texas speed sent with my valve springs

 

I got the same problem...catch can didn't fix it, 2 sets of valve stem seals didn't fix it, only puffs out at start up but not everytime, and never does if I shut it down and restart. Never smokes when idling or under acceleration.

I wonder if I didn't seal something? Bugs the crap out of me.

 

Are they the TSP .650 springs? If so, pull it apart and check the valve seals. Had the same thing happen with mine, turns out the inner springs were chewing up the valve seals. My installer called TSP and they said they have seen the problem on a couple other cars with the same springs. And they didn't really have an answer for us.

Best of luck.

 

Had the same issue on my '99 when the stem seals were installed incorrectly. Replaced them all again, no more smoke.

 

I agree with the comments from others here, most likely valve stem seals. At idle you have a high pressure delta (vacuum) across the intake valve seal. The highest differential occurs at high rpm, throttle closed deceleration. These are the two most common conditions that smoke out the exhaust will occur if the valve stem seals are bad. If you have smoke happening at other than these two conditions you need to look elsewhere.

It only takes a small amount of oil to cause smoke out the exhaust, especially if there are no catalytic converters. This is why you may not notice a drop in oil quantity or any indication on the spark plugs.

 

thanks for the replies.To answer one question yes they are the texas speed duel 650 lift springs. I looked at the seals when i had the valve covers off doing the rocker bolts but its pretty hard to see between the dual springs. I guess Im going to have to pull the springs out and take a look to see if they are damaging the seals. If the seals are failing due to the springs what are the chances texas speed will do anything about it?

 

Who knows if they will assist you there. If you had the seals replaced, then its possible the wrong tool was used which is what happened to mine.