Valve Spring Question

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Mar 17, 2021 | 12:05 AM

robert3elizondo

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From: Texas

Valve Spring Question

I bought a 2002 C5 6 months ago. The car already came with a cam, headers, exhaust, and a CAI.

I want to buy valve springs and have them replaced to be on the safe side. Not sure if I should get .500" max lift springs or .600".

Now my question is how can I find out what kind of cam I have? I took it to my tuner and he said it isn't a small cam, nor is it big. He said it's right in the middle.

I've been looking at videos with stage 2 and stage 3 cams. It is hard to tell what sounds more similar to my car but I come to find that a stage 3 cam idle sounds more identical to my car than how a stage 2 idle sounds.

Any guidance will be much appreciated thanks!

Last edited by robert3elizondo; Mar 17, 2021 at 12:08 AM.

Mar 17, 2021 | 12:57 AM

USAZR1

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From: Central TX

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.500 lift springs aren't going to be adequate, not even close. My guess is you will need some springs that can handle .660 lift, something like BTR's.
Coil bind from inadequate springs will destroy an engine, quickly.

FWIW, the MTI stage three cam in my Z06 is rated at .629/624

Mar 17, 2021 | 11:57 AM

robert3elizondo

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From: Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAZR1

Thanks for you input! How often do you have to change your springs?

Also should I be buying a valve spring kit with the retainers and all or should I just focus on the valve springs by themselves?

Mar 18, 2021 | 12:32 PM

Vetteman Jack

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Mar 18, 2021 | 02:32 PM

Speedy007

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From: California

These cost me 185.00

LS LS1 LS6 LS3 LS2 Dual Valve Spring Upgrade Kit .550-.610 LIFT LQ 5.3L LY6
LS1 LS2 LS3 DUAL VALVE SPRING KIT .500-.650 LIFT LQ9 LQ4 LY6 5.3 FREE SHIPPING

FOR USE UP TO .650 LIFT FOR RACE APP

FOR CONTINUOUS USE, MAX .600 LIFT

ALPER MOTORSPORTS KIT INCLUDES

16 DUAL SPRINGS .600-650LIFT
16 HEAT TREATED CHROMOLY VALVE SPRING RETAINERS
16 HEAT TREATED CHROMOLY VALVE SEATS
16 MAHLE VITON SEALS
REM POLISH VALVE LOCKS

DUAL SPRING SPECIFICATION

OD - 1.290''
INNER - .680''
140-LBS @ 1.800''
420-LBS @ 1.150''
420-LBS @ 1.150 Open or Over the Nose
COIL BIND 1.050

DUAL SPECS

135-145LBS @ INSTALLED HEIGHT
420-450LBS @ VALVE OPEN .650 LIFT
COIL BIND IS AT .755 LIFT
SPRING LOCATOR IS .030 THINK
650 Max LIft

Last edited by Speedy007; Mar 18, 2021 at 02:33 PM.

Mar 18, 2021 | 02:51 PM

robert3elizondo

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From: Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy007

16 DUAL SPRINGS .600-650LIFT
16 HEAT TREATED CHROMOLY VALVE SPRING RETAINERS
16 HEAT TREATED CHROMOLY VALVE SEATS
16 MAHLE VITON SEALS
REM POLISH VALVE LOCKS

DUAL SPRING SPECIFICATION

OD - 1.290''
INNER - .680''
140-LBS @ 1.800''
420-LBS @ 1.150''
420-LBS @ 1.150 Open or Over the Nose
COIL BIND 1.050

DUAL SPECS

135-145LBS @ INSTALLED HEIGHT
420-450LBS @ VALVE OPEN .650 LIFT
COIL BIND IS AT .755 LIFT
SPRING LOCATOR IS .030 THINK
650 Max LIft

~~Do you have the link to where you purchased those?~~

*Edit* Found them, they are off of ebay.

$185 Ebay Valve Spring Kit

Are ebay valve train parts safe to buy?

Last edited by robert3elizondo; Mar 18, 2021 at 03:30 PM.

Mar 18, 2021 | 04:32 PM

Smoken1

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From: Oregon

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Quote:

Originally Posted by robert3elizondo

Are ebay valve train parts safe to buy?

I would not put those in my car. Look at BTR's site

Just remember, Cheap, Fast, Reliable Pick 2 you can't have all 3

Mar 18, 2021 | 04:41 PM

grinder11

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Quote:

Originally Posted by robert3elizondo

~~Do you have the link to where you purchased those?~~

*Edit* Found them, they are off of ebay.

$185 Ebay Valve Spring Kit

Are ebay valve train parts safe to buy?

You're taking a risk I would never take. You're putting critical pieces into an expensive engine, when you are really at someone's mercy whether they're being truthful or not. Here is a perfect case. I remember years ago, when I pulled my Comp 921 dual springs out. I thought about selling them used for $150.00. At the time, they were over $300 new, just for springs!! But mine had been set up wrong from the beginning by AFR. Installed height was set at 1.700", instead of the correct 1.800". Could anyone tell? Probably not, unless they had a valve spring pressure tool, with a scale and dial indicator. They looked brand new. I was SO tempted. But I thought about how I'd feel if I was the guy buying them, maybe 1 would break, and then a set of $150 valve springs would take out a $8,000.00, or more, expensive engine. I couldn't stand the guilt if that happened. So they went in the garbage🗑.......

Last edited by grinder11; Mar 18, 2021 at 04:42 PM.