how durable are stock valves?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
how durable are stock valves? 2003 LQ4, T76 turbo,
do I need to up grade the valves?
such as stainless steel one piece, stock size.
am upgrading to Z06 cam and Valve springs.
along with head bolts/ studs,
currently 8psi, looking to increase to 12psi.
also best head gasket for this set up?
do I need to up grade the valves?
such as stainless steel one piece, stock size.
am upgrading to Z06 cam and Valve springs.
along with head bolts/ studs,
currently 8psi, looking to increase to 12psi.
also best head gasket for this set up?
Stock are fine for 12psi
1 piece stainless if you have the extra cash would be a nice upgrade.. Ls9 head gaskets work great for boost.. 4.030" bore cometics in whatever thickness you need will work too
1 piece stainless if you have the extra cash would be a nice upgrade.. Ls9 head gaskets work great for boost.. 4.030" bore cometics in whatever thickness you need will work too
We tested several aftermarket against stock valves for tensile strength. The stock valves tested 50% higher than the best aftermarket valves in the bunch, so I feel they're very durable.
Room temperature.
I think the best aftermarket valves failed at 120,000 psi and the stock GM valves failed at 180,000 psi.
Ductility wasn't measured, and would be important if you start bouncing the valves or hitting them with the pistons...
I would think a harder valve with higher tensile strength would be more prone to fracture if it were hit. So there are pros and cons to tensile strength versus ductility.
Since 1998 I haven't had a GM valve fail.
I think the best aftermarket valves failed at 120,000 psi and the stock GM valves failed at 180,000 psi.
Ductility wasn't measured, and would be important if you start bouncing the valves or hitting them with the pistons...
I would think a harder valve with higher tensile strength would be more prone to fracture if it were hit. So there are pros and cons to tensile strength versus ductility.
Since 1998 I haven't had a GM valve fail.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo The ls9's are nice since they're cheaper than cometics but have 7 layers and are designed for FI