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Choosing Valve Springs

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Old 11-11-2010, 10:26 AM
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Default Choosing Valve Springs

Its going to be time to replace valve springs in my 2000 Z28 soon. I bought it with 918's in it and after reading alot of threads I'm scared of them.
Cam is a comp xer lobes .581/.592 lift 224/230 dur 114lsa
Question is do you guys think the patriot extreme dual spring kit is too much? i think its 410# open pressure
Thanks for any advice. I had planned to go with pac springs but there doesn't seem to be a clear cut winner wherever I look. Worst part of it all is I'm on a college student's budget (not much).
Thanks again
Old 11-11-2010, 10:32 AM
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With that lift, those springs will actually only have about 384lbs open (.592" lift), not the full advertised 410lbs@.660" lift from 1.800".

I would recommend the PRC dual spring kit over the Patriots however. The PRC spring kits have better track records from a machining accuracy stand-point. We've seen and heard of quite a few Patriots that did not install at the 1.800" they intended them to, due to poor machining on the retainers.
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Old 11-11-2010, 10:36 AM
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ok. do you think its doable to get out under $350 with pushrods. Im afraid im going to get gobbled up with the "well while youre in there you might as well...."
Thanks again Matt
Old 11-11-2010, 11:04 AM
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I've got the PRC .650" spring kit with pushrods for $379.99.

http://www.texas-speed.com/shop/item...d=172&catid=54
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Old 11-11-2010, 11:07 AM
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ok great ill be in touch when the time comes. Ive personally installed that kit on a friends trans am so that actually does make me feel a little better. Thanks again
Old 11-11-2010, 11:29 AM
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PSI MAXlife Component springs are probably the most advanced beehive on the market.. they are rated up to .650 lift and they will handle those XE-R lobes no problem.. lighter weight than duals as well
Old 11-11-2010, 11:31 AM
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Thanks ill look into those. No failures so far? my car is a daily driver that sees zero abuse during the week and the occaisional show off with the guys on the weekend so im not aweful on springs, i just want something i can trust. I kind of feel like a dual is overkill but the added peace of mind is whats got me leaning that way
Old 11-11-2010, 11:33 AM
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also do those require titanium retainers? or can I use what I already have
Old 11-11-2010, 11:41 AM
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you re-use the stock retainers and locks.. new seals and locators needed most likely though.. I'm going with these on my new 243 heads.. I've heard nothing but good things from PSI.. and the company that I am using for my CNC'ing suggested these.. they are the pros not me so that's what I went with
Old 11-11-2010, 12:35 PM
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I have used the PRC duals for 150,000 miles now with no problems. A very good spring. They have been redesigned since the last set I bought so now they are even better than before. I like the peace of mind that the dual springs provide. Car is a DD heads/cam all the boltons making 452/418.

PS The Springs kit that Matt from Texas Speed told you about will have everything that you need push rods, seals, seats, titanium retainers, locks, and so forth. If you are going to do it do it right. Why would you want to use the stock (heavy) retainers on a upgraded valve train??

Last edited by slt200mph; 11-11-2010 at 02:39 PM.
Old 11-11-2010, 12:38 PM
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150k! geez I heard change them every 30k
Old 11-11-2010, 12:47 PM
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I vote PAC 1518. OP, why do you need pushrods? You aren't still running the stockers are you?
Old 11-11-2010, 12:49 PM
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yes.......so sad i know I've never turned the car past 5500. Don't hang me for it I know it has to be done. Bought it that way and I've been saving to get the valvetrain upgraded. the previous owner didn't put anything extra into it.
Old 11-11-2010, 12:50 PM
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I was originally thinking the 1518's btw but Matt said that he had seen failures along with some threads I've seen recently of some failures
Old 11-11-2010, 12:57 PM
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Fair enough, although I dont "look" for failure threads, I haven't ever seen a PAC failure and I have read quite a few threads Truth is, everything will have some failures. Every brand, every spring. I think the patriots would be fine as well as the PAC, PRC and also look into Lunatis. Thats what I chose, the Lunati Golds. There wasn't much info on them, but after doing some research and seeing that these springs are subbed out by a big name/reputable spring maker I figure what the hell. They are $220 shipped from Atlantic Speed.
Old 11-11-2010, 01:03 PM
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awesome thanks. Yeah when i say ive seen failures I mean that while aimlessly reading every post on here and tuning my chemistry professor out I've seen a couple 918 failures and one pac failure. Are the lunati's dual springs? Ive also seen someone reccomend manley's. Looks like now I just need to man up pick one and see what happens.
Old 11-11-2010, 01:15 PM
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWNX%3AIT
Old 11-11-2010, 01:18 PM
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well alrighty then that'll do
Old 11-11-2010, 01:20 PM
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wow i think i may just not eat a couple weeks and grab those. you seem to like them I assume
Old 11-11-2010, 01:37 PM
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Well so far so good, they installed at the right heights, they look like a great bang for the buck. So far, this is all I have run them. And btw, I'm running them on very aggressive Cam motion lobes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaX82jcFAuI


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