Broken valve springs
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 56
Likes: 12
From: MD
Broken valve springs
Hey there, have folks in the corvette family been experiencing broken valve springs in the LT-1. My C-7 StingRay has 27k mi, is not raced but driven regularly. Any thoughts/experiences???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,155
Likes: 154
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
What year is you Stingray? I've been preaching this to the moon and back if you search my threads. I have a 70K mile Ray running original springs so you might think I'm safe however I'm taking no chances. I have an appointment with Cordes Performance at the end of Feb to swap those yellow springs out. ALL 2014 models came from the factory with weak "yellow" valve springs that were updated in 2015 to new stronger "blue" valve springs which eliminated this problem. Good luck with your repair.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 5,487
Likes: 2,193
From: Loveland
I own a 2014 Stingray. My understanding about the 2014 is that the Z06 might have valve spring issues and non Z06 cars with AFM can have valve spring issues. I deleted the 4 cyl AFM mode, I think this will help with the valve spring issue.
Last edited by kodpkd; Dec 20, 2025 at 12:51 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,673
Likes: 2,728
From: Atlanta GA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,673
Likes: 2,728
From: Atlanta GA
Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 5,487
Likes: 2,193
From: Loveland
Yes, that is also an issue. From what I looked up, for the model year 2014 only 0.1% of the engines had the spring issue and usually before 36,000 miles. It would be interesting to know how those 0.1% engines were used. That is 35 cars. 
Last edited by kodpkd; Dec 21, 2025 at 09:56 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,155
Likes: 154
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
After consulting with an LT-1 Super tuner he definitely agreed that it is a major issue not a 35 car issue. He's seen many, many cars grenade due to the valve spring issue. Better safe than sorry.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,155
Likes: 154
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
I'm not having my stock engine tuned. I'm having my valve springs replaced, spark plugs changed with new plug wires installed. I'm also having a new Mamo ported TB put on while they are at it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,155
Likes: 154
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 56
Likes: 12
From: MD
What year is you Stingray? I've been preaching this to the moon and back if you search my threads. I have a 70K mile Ray running original springs so you might think I'm safe however I'm taking no chances. I have an appointment with Cordes Performance at the end of Feb to swap those yellow springs out. ALL 2014 models came from the factory with weak "yellow" valve springs that were updated in 2015 to new stronger "blue" valve springs which eliminated this problem. Good luck with your repair.
