Stock 1999 5.3 with original coils and valve covers.

Pulled my D581 coils and brackets to test for the D585 round truck coils on their bracket that I picked up together used. Went to put it on and the D585 coil bracket doesn't fit the stock OEM valve cover. 2 of the holes are off. I can't figure out why the hell this is happening.

I only tested the driver side and the brackets aren't designed to be side specific.

Here is a few pics, it's the front hole and he back 2nd hole in. I got some billet coil brackets coming so I'm worried they won't fit either. I had 2 stock studs holding it on so I could verify fitment. All the holes line up except for these 2. I'm stumped.



Front hole



2nd hole from back.

 

Yep, you're correct. It's discussed a lot in this sticky and related threads: https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...l-upgrade.html

Not a big deal to run them with a couple bolts missing. Your new brackets probably won't fit either. But check out the thread and some of the others referenced in it and you'll see how people have made their own and/or altered these to fit better. You'll likely need longer wires too. My factory wires are stretched to their length limit so I'm about to order longer truck wires.

 

I read parts of that thread (its 10 pages long lol) and I quote...

1999 and up cars have center bolt valve covers and the coils are mounted to coil brackets. These coil brackets are mounted to the valve covers. There were several different ignition coils used, each with it’s own coil bracket. They’ll all mount to any stock center bolt valve cover.

Ive seen the pics of the brackets that lower the coils to clear fuel lines etc but I dont have that protblem. I have a ton of room upward so not worried. But GM did NOT make different valve covers... they are all the same from the 4.8, 5.3, 5.7, 6.0 and they all have the exact same bolt pattern. The only thing that changed was the coil brackets and coils themselves. So thats why I have NO IDEA why the D581 coil bracket fits like a glove and the D585 coil bracket doesnt. Unless GM made specific coil covers for the D585 coils which makes no sense. If that thread you posted stays anything about this can you please provide the link, page and post #? Sorry I'm at work and can't search through and read 10 pages.

 

Just read that whole thread. WASTE OF MY TIME!!! lol.

Not one person said the holes in the bracket dont line up... Only that they sat to high, and lowering helps clear components.

I'm trying to figure out why I'm 1/4 of a bolt hole off and then a 3/4 of a bolt hole off on 2 different holes.

Plug wires aren't an issue, I run Taylor 9mm truck wires and they are actually too long almost. The ICT coil bracket I ordered actually lowers the coils down to my D581 location on the VC. I would hope the billet brackets would fit my valve covers as they are a universal part for swapping D585 coils.

 

I could have sworn that was the thread - sorry man! Let me double check mine tonight and see how they line up. Maybe I'm forgetting how my install went, but I'm almost positive mine are off like yours.

 

I don't see how that's possible. Every center bolt valve cover is exactly the same bolt pattern for the coils. All LS center bolt valve covers are interchangeable just varying PCV locations and connections.

 

I used my ls1 brackets and then put the truck coils on them. Been running like that for a long time now. No issues.

 

Sure, but that doesn't shed any light on the OEM coil brackets not being the same for every year LS valve cover!?

 

Bolt the outside corners down to the valve covers first.

If the centers don't line up after that, then don't put bolts there lol.

 

The outside holes dont line up. The front hole is in the 1st pic I uploaded. Can't get both in. so how was this bolted down to the engine that these came off...

 

Well yours are definitely different than my 2002 covers. Mine actually do line up, but I left off the rear bolt to save my hands.




Could your brackets be slightly bent?

 

I run d585, one valve cover is an '03, one is an '05. Brackets fit fine, one hole was a hair off but can be bent easily. Just make sure the 2 main holes that dip lower that the rest (guide holes) line up and just don't use every last hole. They won't fall off. I don't use them all. Few less bolts = weight reduction. Easy problem to solve, brackets bend easily. Loosen the coil packs first, tweak the bracket till it all lines up, then tighten the packs down.

 

Yea I figured the bracket flexed. But the inner bolts don't flex as they are solid 1/8" steel so the holes are off.

2 bolts per bracket that's gotta be like 20grams weight savings!

Billet brackets came in today. They line up for sure lol and look decent doing it. Also a good bit of weight savings.

 

Those look great man! Where'd you get them?

 

eBay. $38 shipped comes with SS hardware for coils and zinc for bracket to valve covers. ICT billet, USA made and I have a few of their products and all are top quality and very good pricing.

 

Awesome, thanks! Might have to pick up a set. I'd like black though.

 

I've seen them black anodized for like $125. Or powdercoat them yourself. I would have liked them in black too but not going to pay $125 lol. Rather powdercoat or paint. Save the money for valve covers or cam!

 

Here are black ones for LS 72mm coils basically everything but the round truck coils lol. Only $50

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Zzz-Billet-Aluminum-LS1-LS6-Coil-Brackets-BLACK-/141708110411?hash=item20fe762a4b%3Ag%3A3D0AAOSwgQ9 VixwR&_trkparms=pageci%253A4dc2623d-5f61-11e6-bc81-74dbd1e04f3a%257Cparentrq%253A772c7fc81560a2a1a1e7 2119fff565bf%257Ciid%253A2

 

Those look really nice for sure. Didn't know that anyone made aftermarket brackets for the d585s, but I admit I never looked. I had to chop mine in half and drop the one coil pack that is under the fuel rail down over an inch because I have to run valve cover spacers for my rocker setup.

I really like those and the price is nice

 

Yea these brackets actually lower the coils compared to the stock bracket. Not say that's what I wanted as my 9mm Taylor truck wires are pretty long already