LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

valve springs/components questions

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Old 01-13-2013, 05:03 PM
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Default valve springs/components questions

Alright so I need a set of valve springs, seals, and all other components relative to the springs.

will be used with cam in sig + 1.6 roller rockers, puts lift to ~.544 max
shift at 6100rpm if that makes a difference

I am not really sure what to get here, I need something that is durable because this car is my back up dd/ weekend car, I do drive it quite a bit.

I thought about getting a double spring but im really not sure what to get here.

any suggestions?
also I need to know what all I will need as far as components for recommended spring...

Thanks in advance
Old 01-13-2013, 05:33 PM
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I have a nice double spring package with all required components for $229 with steel retainers or $299 with titanium retainers. The only catch is the heads must be disassembled and valves remove, and the guides cut for 1/2" seals for the kit to work. If the heads will remain on the car then a Comp 918 with their retainers is about the only other option that I know of.
http://www.briantooleyracing.com/spr...t-engines.html
Old 01-14-2013, 12:33 AM
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OP, I have heard nothing but GOOD things about Brian Tooley. There is another option though for a mild 504 cam.

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Old 01-14-2013, 08:16 AM
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The PAC-1212X is a drop in spring and requires no matchin components to work with. Also the PAC-1201 will work too but may be a little too much rate for what you are doing.
Old 01-14-2013, 03:57 PM
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Comp 987s are another option.
Old 01-14-2013, 04:12 PM
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Can't go wrong with Brian. He's the innovator of HP for all the late model engines. Great guy to deal with.
Old 01-19-2013, 01:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Brian Tooley
I have a nice double spring package with all required components for $229 with steel retainers or $299 with titanium retainers. The only catch is the heads must be disassembled and valves remove, and the guides cut for 1/2" seals for the kit to work. If the heads will remain on the car then a Comp 918 with their retainers is about the only other option that I know of.
http://www.briantooleyracing.com/spr...t-engines.html
PM sent
Old 01-19-2013, 02:18 PM
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Is this the Comp 304 with 1.6 rockers? Just seems prudent to make sure as there is more to spring choice than just lift capacity but the 304 is mild lobes so it shouldn't be that big a deal.

I would probably just go with the PAC dropin option, just to keep things simple.

If it were a more aggressive cam I would think about some other things but those are mild lobes, low shift point no need to get carried away.
Old 01-19-2013, 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by 96capricemgr
Is this the Comp 304 with 1.6 rockers? Just seems prudent to make sure as there is more to spring choice than just lift capacity but the 304 is mild lobes so it shouldn't be that big a deal.

I would probably just go with the PAC dropin option, just to keep things simple.

If it were a more aggressive cam I would think about some other things but those are mild lobes, low shift point no need to get carried away.
yes your correct.

im thinking dual springs because i dont want to break another spring and actually drop a valve ... your right in bringing that up but im just being cautious.
Old 01-19-2013, 07:53 PM
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The 304 is so mild I wouldn't think spring breakage a big concern. Have to consider there are a LOT of us running cams up in the .590-.610 lift range and with those sort of cams spring breakage is more likely though we have seen too many breaking at too low a mileage.
Even with something mild like the 304 I would still consider springs to be a maintenance item once you swap away from the stock cam. talk to the spring vendor about when they want you to check them or if you want to just decide to swap them every say 20K if that falls within the vendor's recommendations.
Old 01-19-2013, 09:04 PM
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Originally Posted by englundjd
yes your correct.

im thinking dual springs because i dont want to break another spring and actually drop a valve ... your right in bringing that up but im just being cautious.
Get them cryo treated. It's one of those things I wish I would have thought of a head of time.
Old 01-19-2013, 10:45 PM
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Originally Posted by 96capricemgr
The 304 is so mild I wouldn't think spring breakage a big concern. Have to consider there are a LOT of us running cams up in the .590-.610 lift range and with those sort of cams spring breakage is more likely though we have seen too many breaking at too low a mileage.
Even with something mild like the 304 I would still consider springs to be a maintenance item once you swap away from the stock cam. talk to the spring vendor about when they want you to check them or if you want to just decide to swap them every say 20K if that falls within the vendor's recommendations.
the ones i have didnt quite even make it to 20k, but i am aware that they are a maintenance thing.

whats special about cryo-treating springs?
Old 01-20-2013, 06:25 AM
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Originally Posted by englundjd
..whats special about cryo-treating springs?
There are benefits to cryo treating some materials in some applications. In the case of valvesprings, I think it's buzzword marketing.
What really enhances fatigue life of springs and guards against breakage are:
1. starting with high quality clean wire
2. polishing
3. shotpeening.
Old 01-20-2013, 10:08 AM
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I think nitriding is one of the preferred treatments. Who is offering cryo treatment of valvesprings, haven't seen that one before.

I would tend to trust Pat on the evaluation of what treatments are worthwhile.
Old 01-20-2013, 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Purple Poncho
Comp 987s are another option.
I believe the valve guides need to be machined down for these to clear "stock heads".
Old 01-20-2013, 01:13 PM
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I thought Nitiriding and cryo hardened the metal? You wouldnt want a metal that has to bend on a regular basis to be hardened.
Old 01-20-2013, 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by englundjd
the ones i have didnt quite even make it to 20k, but i am aware that they are a maintenance thing.

whats special about cryo-treating springs?
go to the yellowbullet forums. Some hardcore racers swear by it and there's a lot of real world experience to back it up.
Old 01-20-2013, 03:21 PM
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I went and googled for info on cryo treating valvesprings and came up with this article.
http://www.enginebuildermag.com/Arti...retainers.aspx
Touches on a few different spring treatments and on how things like NASCAR are using less seat spring pressure than most of us. I wouldn't take it all as gospel but did find it interesting.

Cliff's notes on cryo treating valvesprings was it may have big benifits on cheap springs and not worthwhile on springs made with good quality wire.
Which seems reasonable as the answer to most questions start with "it depends............................"
Old 01-20-2013, 09:02 PM
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http://www.enginebuildermag.com/Arti...retainers.aspx

Freezing Springs?
Proponents of cryogenics claim all kinds of advantages for deep freezing valve springs and other engine parts. The process involves chilling parts down to about 300 degrees below zero Fahrenheit using liquid nitrogen in a computer-controlled freezer. At such extremely cold temperatures, most molecular vibration stops.

The parts are allowed to cold soak for up to 24 hours or more. This allows the atoms in the metal’s microstructure to settle down and rearrange themselves into a more densely packed state. The change in metallurgy helps relieve residual stress in the parts that can cause cracks and failure, and it helps some parts hold up better by slightly increasing their surface hardness.

These are all positive changes for a valve spring, but the degree to which a cryogenic treatment improves a valve spring will vary depending on the wire in the spring. One manufacturer said for the average valve spring, it may increase spring life several fold. But for really high quality valve springs, they have not seen enough improvement to justify the extra cost. Even so, if a racer wants his valve springs frozen it isn’t going to hurt anything either.
This method has been proven to work great on brake rotors. Especially cross drilled rotors.
Old 01-21-2013, 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by bowtienut
There are benefits to cryo treating some materials in some applications. In the case of valvesprings, I think it's buzzword marketing.
What really enhances fatigue life of springs and guards against breakage are:
1. starting with high quality clean wire
2. polishing
3. shotpeening.
4. A big one a lot of people miss is proper cooling of the spring. The cooler you keep your valve train, the happier it will be.


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