J2Davis

What valve springs do I need? 2002 LQ4 with 862 heads (not certain of year). LQ4 stock cam reground to 114 duration 214/219. It has been suggested that springs were a weak link and that as long as the heads are off I should replace them.

What valve springs are an improvement from stock and fit in with the setup I have described?

Thanks,
Jerry

G Atsma

Get a set of LS3/LS6 beehive valve springs. They are heavier than the ones you have and can handle more lift

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

Out of curiosity, are there any addional cam specs for the cam you can share?

grinder11

iTrader: (1)

Agree-Lift specs would be beneficial for spring recommendation.

01CamaroSSTx

iTrader: (3)

Lift is important to know when determining what spring but OP did mention it was an LQ4 stock cam that had been reground to a different duration.

J2Davis

Sorry for the delay in responding I've been on travel. Thanks again for any info that you can provide.

I measured the cam base circle and the lobe to determine valve lift. If I measured correctly, (not certain at this moment which is exhaust or intake) and came up with 542515" and .53635".

If I go with the LS6 springs what is a good source?

Thanks,
Jerry

G Atsma

Summit has them for a very fair price. For that lift, those springs will work nicely.

grinder11

iTrader: (1)

I believe regrinding would alter lift. At least, that is what they do/used to do on motorcycle cams. Grind the heel of the cam closer to cam centerline to increase lift. Some even hard welded the lobes and reground.

J2Davis

I stopped by the Cam shop and they provided more accurate numbers. The intake valve lift is .537 and the exhaust is .563. I did reach out to Summit and they initially recommended LS6 style springs but in looking at them they offer .550 of lift. Now looking at 1218 PAC springs. My question now is whether all 1218 PAC springs are the same. I was told that these springs are designed specifically for an LS engine so at the risk of making an assumption would expect that they would be aI direct drop in and I could use the stock retainers and keepers. Is that correct? On eBay a seller has a set of what is titled as "Set of 16 PAC-1218 HP Ovate Drop-In Beehive Valve Spring 1.290 OD for LS Engines" for $69 which includes shipping. They are rated up to .600" of lift. Under brand in shows these are "unbranded."

There is another listing that shows the box that is labeled "PAC" from RacingSprings.com for $175. At least on eBay the prices for the 1218 PAC springs vary some up beyond $200.

Why the wide range of prices? I thought that "PAC" meant that they were the propriety of that company but maybe that is just the style of spring that many produce?

Jerry 600" lift

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

Real PAC springs are very high quality. Who knows what's actually in the box from a random ebay vendor. Counterfeit car parts are common enough on fleabay.

My understanding is PAC 1218's are drop in and can use/reuse the factory hardware per WS6Store when I purchased a set of PAC 1218's to replace a tired set of stock springs with 260,000+ miles.

J2Davis

Thanks! I've ordered 1218 PAC springs from the WS6 store.

Jerry

TurboBuick6

iTrader: (2)

$69.00 for a set of PAC springs are not a set of PAC springs.

Forcefed86

iTrader: (4)

The 918 comp springs or the pac 1218’s are pretty much the “go to” affordable single beehive factory replacements for up to .650 lift cams. Ordering from summit/JEGS you can pretty much assure you are getting genuine parts.

grinder11

iTrader: (1)

IMHO, PAC is the best spring out there. I know this is Gen3 threads, and Im talking about my LS7 heads. But this is about which springs OP should buy. So-Yes, my cam "only" has .605" lift. BUT, I've had PAC duals installed since 2014, 42,000 miles. Never an issue. If it helps you, they're the 1905 duals, Ti retainers. I agree with others, and the 1218 PACs. You dont need duals with lift in that range. My LS7 engine was built with heavy, solid stem stainless valves. Not my choice, the head builder installed them. When I pull the heads next time (remember, they're LS7s, lol!), I'm going with either Ferrea hollow stem exhausts, or late factory sodium exhausts. Problem I have is how to identify whether I'm buying the later valves or early valves?!! So probably going with Ferrea hollows. Bottom line, PAC 1218 springs, with PSI equivalent 2nd choice. Both are VERY good.

J2Davis

I started this thread so maybe it's ok to ask advice on another item. I want to replace the valve guides. I have the two piece. Is the one piece better and what is a good brand? The heads are 862 and I'm installing on a 2002 LQ4.

Thanks,
Jerry

J2Davis

In my post I incorrectly said valve guides and meant valve seals. Thanks

Jerry

01CamaroSSTx

iTrader: (3)

I've used the one piece Felpro's on small bore heads and the two piece on other LS heads. The TSP spring kit I purcahsed for L92 heads came with an integrated one piece seal which I believe is the same for other LS heads running dual springs.

Damian

iTrader: (89)

Just for inquiring minds that read this thread and want to know....I've ran hundreds of engines with the LS3 spring and .550-.570. If the valvetrain is set up properly and the lobes aren't ridiculously abusive, you can do a LOT with an LS3 valve spring. Or if you want a drop-in beehive that's far superior to any other on the market, the PSI 1511 series springs are hands down the best. I've pushed those springs to .670 lift (with proper setup height and lots of attention to detail of course), installed thousands of them at drop-in height with .590-.650 lift cams, and *never* seen one break. I cannot say the same for PAC or Comp's beehives. They've all broke at some point, except for PSI. You will pay more for them but their wire is superior.

J2Davis

I ordered and received the PAC 218 springs. It was my understanding from research that these were drop in so would fit on the 862 heads. I have the two piece seal with what I think is a lower spring locator (washer looking) that holds the lower part of the spring in place. I set the 1218 spring on this guide and it slid around a bit. The lower inner diameter of the 1218 spring is bigger then stock spring and is bigger then the little raised ring on the locator. I placed the stock spring back on and it fit snuggly without movement. Can someone verify whether I need to buy spring locators specific to the 1218 spring?

Thanks,
Jerry

G Atsma

Once you install the retainers and keepers they will stay put