Guys, hi first of all this is my first thread, I joined up not because I have a Corvette, would love a Zo6 or a ZR1, but because I am modifying a old Porsche V8 engine, it is almost fully custom including a billet custom designed crank with Honda rods, dry sump and some great Nascar car parts like the Lentz rods with SPS Carrillo bolts.

I'm trying to lighten the valvetrain and have my Ti intake valves and inconel exhaust valves. (Valve sizes are 2.10" and 1.65") I know that the LS7 uses Del West intake valves that have been Cr nitrided but what I am strugging to obtain is some suitable valve seats. Other types of copper seats, Ampco and Berylium are way too soft to last on the streets. I believe the LS7 engine uses a powdered metal seat that is copper infiltrated.

You cannot buy the seats separately. Does anybody know of who the supplier to GM is of these seats? Anybody have a contact that may be able to get me some of these seats or a good place to start looking. The engine I am building is costing big bucks that is stretching me already so I don't have the money to experiment with valve seat material, I like the fact GM has done that R&D for me

So over to you guys, all helpful comments appreciated, my car btw is weighs 1420 kgs and will have about 550 hp in the end so it will have similar performance to the Zo6. Not bad for a 23 year old car. I'm also planning to take it to the ring. (before I die) one of the must do things for me, well atleast I plan on doing this if I can find the seat material!

Cheers Greg

 

See this NCM link for comprehensive specs of LS7. I don't think the material for the valve seats mentioned; if you didn't find it the NCM link, then I'm doubtful you'll find it outside of asking a GM engineer. The fact that the seat material isn't mentioned probably indicates that conventional materials are used for this service...i.e. what material did the C5Z06 use?

http://www.corvettemuseum.com/specs/2006/LS7.shtml