Raise

iTrader: (31)

So I'm going with a TR224/112 cam for my 02 WS6. I won't be visiting the track much...it is strictly a street car that I like to have fun with. I spoke with Shane at Thunder Racing yesterday and we concluded that I would be ok running a Comp 918 or PAC 1518 beehive spring because of the low lift on the cam. I don't want to get into a single vs. dual valve spring debate, but I have read about several incidents of 918s breaking. I know Comp had a bad batch of 918s before, but I believe there have also been several reported incidents of the new revised 918s breaking. I would like to think that the failure of the revised 918s is due to improper setup, too high of a lift on the cam, or simply spinning the motor too high. Shane also said a titanium retainer would not be necessary unless I would be spinning the motor super high. I will probably be shifting at or around 6200-6400 rpms. So we decided I would be ok with the stock retainers and locks. Any advice or suggestions on my valve spring and retainer choice??

Yeahdoug

1518 is a better spring over the 918 because of the nitriding and better material.

But to answer your question on the retainer, I don't feel the Ti. is worth the extra money. The weight difference is tiny.

JPH

iTrader: (2)

Ti retainer is like 4 grams lighter then stock and you pay $130 for them. Save your money and buy an oil pump instead.

Raise

iTrader: (31)

I have an 02=I have an LS6 oil pump

Raise

iTrader: (31)

Ok, so Ive decided to run the stock retainers. Now I just need to decide on a valve spring.

magic

iTrader: (4)

Sorry to hi-jack your thread...maybe I can get an answer on here since we are discussing valves springs....

For instance a dual spring...does the spring seat/pad on the cylinder head need to be machined to accept a dual valve spring or are there sets that fit in the stock location?

I'll be doing a stock head LQ4 6.0 build using the stock heads (budget build/swap) and a "mild" cam like a TR224, and wondering what springs to go with as well.....

Thanks!

Raise

iTrader: (31)

A dual spring will fit on the factory seat with no problem. As far as installed ride height, it depends on the spring pressure. Some applications will require you to shim the spring (placing a shim/spacer between the spring and the seat) to "pre-compress" the spring. This will actually compress the spring more than one installed at stock ride height. Plenty of people run singles and duals on the bare seat with small and big cams, while some like to shim for a proper match. If youre going with a TR224, give Thunder a call and talk to Geoff or Shane. They both know their stuff and they will set you up properly.

AU N EGL

isnt the idea of the Ti retainer to increase strength, decrease wt so the engine can spin above 6000 rpms?

Raise

iTrader: (31)

6000 rpms is debatable. They do increase strength and decrease weight, but the extent to which they do, as well as the $ to gain benefit, is the debate.

Yeahdoug

A steel retainer will wear a lot less than a TI. retainer and last much longer.

Raise

iTrader: (31)

Is this true?

BlackScreaminMachine

iTrader: (17)

Ive talked with Vengence Racing, Predetor-Z and Patrick G. All very knowledgable people. I run my cam VRx4 228/230 @ 112, the lift is slightly under .600 and I run a newer comp 918 spring w/ no issues and spin regularly above 6k. I used my stock 36k mile steel/factory retainers.

The point was if you were running a dual spring like a patriot or a comp 987, you have a LARGE retainer, the beehive's retainer is much smaller to begin with so the we less grams you have isnt worth the cost and your not going to see the difference. You will need rod bolts well before that.

As for Ti, its as strong if not stronger and lighter then steel, but MORE brittled and prone to wear.

99ssleeper

iTrader: (98)

you wont have a problem using the stock retainers and spinning it to 6200. ive always used titanium retainers because they weigh almost nothing and i was able to find new comps for $75, so why not.

99_SS_LS1

iTrader: (4)

I went with the 1518's on a .609 lift. I've heard nothing but good about these springs, and am glad I exchanged my revised 918's for them.

Raise

iTrader: (31)

Im thinking of running the PAC 1218. They are good to .600 lift and my cam is well under that. Plus I have searched and searched and can't find a single incident of a PAC breaking.

thunderstruck507

iTrader: (18)

the PAC are the old comp spings IIRC

they're what I ended up with too though

Raise

iTrader: (31)

Yeah but Comp was good until they switched from PAC. Thats when their breaking issues started

Goldfinger911

iTrader: (24)

What about the LSx Patriot Gold kit? Comes with everything including double springs, seals, bases, Ti retainers, and oversized keepers. You can find it for $240-$250 usually.

Raise

iTrader: (31)

Cuz that is overkill for a small lift cam like mine.

The Alchemist

iTrader: (19)

I like single, beehive springs because of the better harmonics that they afford and lower overall weight. The problems with the 918s started when Comp left PAC and had them made elsewhere. I would go with the higher lift PAC's because if you decide to go bigger lift you could without having to change springs.

As for the Ti retainers, every gram counts in my book when it comes to valvetrain stability. It's like pushrods, could you reuse stock ones, yeah, but for $100 I'd rather have a hardened steel pushrod.