Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Valve Spring installed height ?'s

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 19, 2012 | 11:06 AM
  #1  
streetknight2's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 1
Default Valve Spring installed height ?'s

Ok guys, I've got a set of LS3 heads. Putting the new springs on and was told to set spring height to 1.800"

BUT, with NO shims I can only get 1.770"

What should I do? Machine shop recommends cutting the spring pocket or trying to locate some offset valve locks. I'm using stock valves.

Thanks for any help.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2012 | 11:19 AM
  #2  
93Z2871805's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
Veteran: Air Force
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 50
Default

What size cam and what lift springs?
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2012 | 11:31 AM
  #3  
streetknight2's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 1
Default

.660" springs........615" cam
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2012 | 11:35 AM
  #4  
Sales2@Texas-speed's Avatar
LS1Tech Premium Sponsor
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,053
Likes: 7
From: Texas!
Default

What is the coil bind on your springs...without knowing the specifics, I'd bet you are good to go at 1.770" and will be better off with the extra pressure from the shorter height. But again, it'd be nice to know specifics before saying that for sure!
__________________


Largest Stocking Distributor of LS-x Engines / CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE!

COMP - FAST - PACESETTER - DIAMOND RACING - EAGLE SPECIALTY PRODUCTS - CALLIES - COMETIC GASKETS
RAM CLUTCHES - MOSER ENGINEERING - KOOK'S HEADERS - ARP - GM BOLTS AND GASKETS - MSD - NGK
POWERBOND - ASP - AND MORE!
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2012 | 11:47 AM
  #5  
streetknight2's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 1
Default

At .600" lift I can get a .030" Feeler gauge between the coils. That's what guy at machine shop said
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2012 | 09:34 AM
  #6  
streetknight2's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 1
Default

UPDATE: I went to a race shop and they checked for me, here are results.

At 1.770" the springs coil bind at .620" my cam is .615"

I was told I need .050"-.080" before coil bind.

They said if I set springs to 1.800" I'll have 160# on the seat, and coil bind at .645"

They recommend to set at 1.830" I'll have 145# on the seat and have the .050" - .080" clearance I need.

However, since the heads only have 1.770" which won't work at all, I'll have to cut the spring pockets .060", try to find some offset valve locks, or get .100" longer stem valves.

What do you guys think?

TIA
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2012 | 09:57 AM
  #7  
BlackScreaminMachine's Avatar
Internet Mechanic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,830
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford CT
Default

Maybe way off base, if I am please correct me. Can't Machine Shops sink the valves in further? like (countersink)
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2012 | 10:14 AM
  #8  
streetknight2's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 1
Default

Yes, but they have to cut the spring pads to do so, I called Scoggin Dickey and their tech said you cannot cut the spring pads on those heads. Not sure what to do now.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 20, 2012 | 11:11 AM
  #9  
racer7088's Avatar
FormerVendor
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 6
From: Houston, Tx.
Default

Originally Posted by streetknight2
UPDATE: I went to a race shop and they checked for me, here are results.

At 1.770" the springs coil bind at .620" my cam is .615"

I was told I need .050"-.080" before coil bind.

They said if I set springs to 1.800" I'll have 160# on the seat, and coil bind at .645"

They recommend to set at 1.830" I'll have 145# on the seat and have the .050" - .080" clearance I need.

However, since the heads only have 1.770" which won't work at all, I'll have to cut the spring pockets .060", try to find some offset valve locks, or get .100" longer stem valves.

What do you guys think?

TIA
What springs are these?
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2012 | 11:20 AM
  #10  
streetknight2's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 1
Default

Tea .660"
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:56 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE