Time for new valve springs
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Its a shame sometimes decent products get a bad rep bc of end user error. 918s will never shed thier rep I dont think. Who knows if its even just anymore.
Likewise, I see thread after thread of guys commenting about their springs only lasting x number of miles, or they bent x number of pushrods, etc. Coincidence?
I'm very fortunate that I measured my installed height, because I was measuring a height that would put me just a few thousands out of coil bind. I suspect that a LOT of guys are in that range where they're only a few thousands away from bind. At that very narrow height, unless all of the coils compress at a 100% perfectly equal rate (they don't), you're going to result in some coils hitting their neighbors, which over time is going to weaken the spring.
You guys that have had 50k miles out of your springs are proof that when you're not into bind, these springs can last a long time, but those of you who are getting 10-15k miles are probably so close to bind that some of the coils have collided enough times to weaken the spring.
Putting these things in without measuring their height is dumb.
I have used have used two sets of Patriot Gold Dual springs without any problems. The first set I used for 48,000 miles on a 233/233 .598/.598 112 + 0 LSA cam (shifted @ 7k rpms) and the set of springs I have now in the engine have 60,000 + miles on them with a 224/228 .581/.588 110 + 0 LSA cam. (shifting @ 6.5K rpms) Both sets were set up at the correct install height. Unless there has been a bad batch of springs from Patriot (which I have not heard of) I would not hesitate to purchase another set of Patriot Gold Duals. No matter what springs you decide to use they must be installed at the correct height or all bets are off.
FYI A valve spring height micrometer can be purchased for about $50 from Summit Racing.
FYI A valve spring height micrometer can be purchased for about $50 from Summit Racing.
