phoenix305

Hey guys. Ive got a split pattern tr230 cam in my car, and i'm worried about how harsh on the valve train its being. I bought the car with the cam in it so i don't know how long it has been in. Cam only car. I know most of the more aggressive cams in our cars can be pretty rough on the valve train, anyone know how to tell when the springs are going? Any signs, sounds, ect.

Whiteaw57

iTrader: (2)

valve float up top is usually the key sign. The motor will start to break up (misfire and such) in the upper RPM range. The correct way to test them is take them out and have your local machine shop test them. A good tip was given to me before. With your engines firing order two cylinders will be at top dead center at the same time so use companion cylinders and you can get 4 springs out at a time letting the valves rest on the top of the cylinder.

RonSSNova

iTrader: (3)

Valve float is hard to hear. If you hear it, it is bad, but it begins way before you hear anything. I'm speaking RPM wise.
The effect on the engine is loss of power at high rpm. Like it's on a rev limiter....like 16 of them.
If unsure, you can have the springs measured on the car.....There is a tool for this.

Ron

Whiteaw57

iTrader: (2)

I havent heard of that tool but I would be interested in getting one for myself

mark21742

A good performance shop with a garage should have the in car testing tool

BlackScreaminMachine

iTrader: (17)

- Dynometer will always show early signs of issues
- Spring Pressure testing tool (on individual springs) IMO they are should be tested, BUT if you test them, why not put a new one in.... kinda redundant.
- Street testing which IMO the last thing you want.

FYI IF YOU QUESTION IT, REPLACE IT!

LS1MCSS

iTrader: (18)

Do you know what lobes the cam has? If not, do you know the lift?

badazz81z28

iTrader: (6)

If you bothered to ask, you must be worried about it. Why not invest a few hundred bucks and swap them out for peace of mind?

The must have told you the cam in it, why didnt you ask how long its been in there?

Midnight02

iTrader: (8)

Cost of replacing springs = $200 - $400 depending on whether or not you can do the work.

Cost of a rebuild because they were shot and you did nothing about it = $3,000 - $4,500.

Hate to incur the additional expense of changing them out, however it's cheap relative to the alternative.

studderin

iTrader: (28)

what dose that matter? if the springs are worn there worn. check them to find out

phoenix305

Thanks for the inpute guys. No it is not showing signs or running odd. I just know that with the ramp rates of todays cam designs they go through springs pretty quickly. The reason i asked is because i dont know how long the cam has been in there or how long 918's tend to last. The reason i dont know how long the cam has been in there is because i am the second owner to buy it after the work was done. I know the guy who did the original work originally told the guy i bought it from, but the guy i got it from was a complete idiot and had no idea what he had on his hands. He bought it and owned it for 7 months before having to sell it to get married so i picked it up for a sweet deal.

Whiteaw57

iTrader: (2)

sounds sweet. I bought mine and trusted the guy I bought it from and still changed springs for my OWN peace of mind. i KNOW for sure whats in mine and IMO thats what you need to do here.

fastsspr

iTrader: (49)

Take your time and take out the springs and meassure the pressure to see if you need a new ones or not. I never hear of a tool to do it in the car.

diddiyo

when your car sounds like this you know a valve spring is shot. ask me how i know...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZV6Ag5WOnU