When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
C6 Corvette ZR1 & Z06General info about GM’s Corvette Supercar, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Suspension Setup for Street or Track
I have pulled my WCCH Stage 2 LS7 heads which I had upgraded and ported back in February 2013, and have shipped them back to Richard for tear down and inspection before being re-used.
I have put approximately 18-20K miles on them since 2013, with several HPDE's, 100 or so 1/4 drag strip passes, 3 local 1/2 mile events, and a good number of WOT pulls to the top of 4th gear and 7300+ RPM.
WCCH performed their Stage 2 port work, milled the heads .030, installed bronze guides, reconditioned the titanium intake valves, and installed new OEM 2 piece sodium filled exhaust valves pulled from a new LSX 454 long block.
I've always run the Katech PSI1511 beehive spring kit and associated hardware, as well and both the Katech Torquer 110 and K501 camshafts. Car was run predominantly on pump E85/E54, with a few runs on Torco T85 at a few events.
2 sets of factory OEM rockers were used on the heads during the last 18-20K miles; one set with Comp and one set with Straub trunion upgrades. I had the block rebuilt/refreshed a few years ago and switched from Comp to Straub based on some data I had read over the years on this board and others.
There are no issues with the heads but I figured while they are off I'd have them inspected for wear and report back to the valve guide faithful LOL
They are headed out this afternoon so hopefully sometime next week we will have some preliminary measurements (good or bad) on guide wear for you all to digest and "discuss",
Nice!!! Richard did a stage 2 upgrade for me in 5/13, I have similar miles on my car too. Thanks for taking the time and expense to report your results. Hopefully they come back good.
Thanks for that...always interested in long-term data. What about the springs...same duration (18-20K miles)? Any plans to test the springs? Replacing them?
Thanks, Victor, looking forward to the results. I'm at 11K miles with same springs, WCCH work, OEM exhaust valves and Katech TiMo intake valves with OEM rockers.
I may be looking at a bottom end rebuild as I've had some Ti and Pb in my last 3 BL analyses, oil pressure still good, though.
Thanks for that...always interested in long-term data. What about the springs...same duration (18-20K miles)? Any plans to test the springs? Replacing them?
The springs got replaced 5k miles ago, just because, during the short block refresh/rebuild
I never had the first set of PSI1511 springs tested, which were run exclusively with the Torquer 110 cam, but I still have them sitting in a box in the garage.
If a local has the ability to test them free of charge, I would do it just for ****$ and giggles
I don't know the exact numbers, but my guides were out of spec after about 10k miles of daily driving and lots and lots of Mexico trips. Bronze guides with OEM intake valves and Ferrea stainless exhaust valves. 6K miles with a .650/.630 lift cam and the rest with a .656/.655 lift cam.
The springs got replaced 5k miles ago, just because, during the short block refresh/rebuild
I never had the first set of PSI1511 springs tested, which were run exclusively with the Torquer 110 cam, but I still have them sitting in a box in the garage.
If a local has the ability to test them free of charge, I would do it just for ****$ and giggles
Yeah, I just thought for a data perspective it may be interesting for some of us to see...given its Katech cams, the Katech spring package, and I believe they (Katech) recommends swapping in new springs at 20K for preventive measures. I'm sure their 20K recommendation is very conservative, but it would be interesting nonetheless to see how the springs would fair after that mileage.
I don't know the exact numbers, but my guides were out of spec after about 10k miles of daily driving and lots and lots of Mexico trips. Bronze guides with OEM intake valves and Ferrea stainless exhaust valves. 6K miles with a .650/.630 lift cam and the rest with a .656/.655 lift cam.
Katech recommends checking the 1511 springs at 20K miles and replace if the check indicates the need. I have the 1511 springs and the K501 cam at about 12K miles.
Katech recommends checking the 1511 springs at 20K miles and replace if the check indicates the need. I have the 1511 springs and the K501 cam at about 12K miles.
Makes sense Dave...but if its me, and I'm already in there pulling springs to test, I most likely throw on a new set. Springs aren't a big dollar item per se.
Makes sense Dave...but if its me, and I'm already in there pulling springs to test, I most likely throw on a new set. Springs aren't a big dollar item per se.
I agree. I'd replace springs once they hit 15k miles, or if the heads were being serviced in/around that mileage.
I wanna play! I bet at least some guides are out of spec. Also you better check for galling on the intake valves. Any galling and they are trash.
That’s right I rem your thread awhile back.
Originally Posted by Josh B.
I agree. I'd replace springs once they hit 15k miles, or if the heads were being serviced in/around that mileage.
Does this also apply for smaller camshaft. Such as the Cali cam from AHP or a small btr 2? I assume it’s good practice to check springs even with the stock cam? I’m sure guides it is
Does this also apply for smaller camshaft. Such as the Cali cam from AHP or a small btr 2? I assume it’s good practice to check springs even with the stock cam? I’m sure guides it is
I have a feeling you'll get some bad news about the guides but I also think that WCCH will take care of you on the replacements.
Why not go moldstar guides? I wonder why more vendors aren't hoping on the moldstar train.
Has there been others who have pulled there heads and sent them in for inspection ?
WCCH did the heads originally, so going back to the same vendor works for me......I trust Richard and his recommendations
07-17-2018, 04:01 PM
WCCH Stage 2 LS7 heads, report after 18-20K miles
