Tonight I picked up a pretty low mileage '03 Z06 cam,
springs, retainers and pushrods. I paid $200 for it all
so I think I did OK. The guy also has Z06 valves that
he was not quite ready to sell but I think I could get
them for another $100 or so. He also had some Manley
valves with titanium retainers, with like 20 hours on
them. I passed on these in favor of the GM reliability.

My plan is pretty conservative, and one question really
revolves around whether the Z06 cam+pushrods and my
LS1 valves would play, or if I need those Z06 valves
or longer than the Z06 pushrods to make the geometry
right. I'm a bit confused by all the various combos
(more than when I started reading). Are the Z06 pushrods
anything special? Are there hardened, lighter ones that
would buy me anything given a modest increase in max
RPM, and Z06 springs?

I would like to be able to bump up my redline to maybe
6800RPM limiter, 6500RPM shiftpoint (A4) and have it be
a reliable setup. I could have bought the Manley stuff but
I don't want to have the springs on a 10Kmile replacement
schedule - I want 100Kmile reliability. All the big-lift stuff
seems to want frequent inspection at the least?

I think I would like just to get those Z06 valves and run
an all-Z06 valvetrain setup if that is straight, simple and
reliable at 6500RPM (or, how high an actual shiftpoint
would an all-Z06 valvetrain be reliable to?). If replacing
any single component of this "kit" would increase the
reliable RPM of the engine, I would like to know what it
might be.

 

I just have the cam and springs and I shift at 6400 with my limiter at 6600,no need to run that cam to 6800....I wouldn't mind having the lightweight LS6 valves though....

 

I think someone posted before that the ls6 valves are taller. Check the PR length, you'll probably be able to get the valvetrain geometry correct with the right length pushrod.

 

Well, I picked up the valves tonight so I have the complete
'train and I guess it should all fit up OK.

Now I just need two clean and one busted LQ9 truck head
and I can go to town.

Still interested in "safe max RPM" for the GM Z06 valvetrain
though.

 

Jimmy the lighweight valves really make that combo,just do some bowl work ,race valve job, take out the rockerbump and enjoy.Spin it to 6500.This advice does not come from the internet I have been doing cylinder heads at Dick's Porting since 1974.

 

I'm going to use an 02 LS6 cam in my new setup.. I was told with stock head I needed a 7.45 inch pushrod with LS1 valves since the base circle of the LS6 Cam is smaller (Although, i'm having my heads milled so my pushrods will actually be stock length..lol).

Most people say that just the cam and springs alone work fine.. but i'm going to make sure the geometry is perfect since i've got a high mileage motor.

 

The LS6 cam is great. I have a friend who has the stock non-ported LS6 heads, LS6 cam, springs, etc, LS6 intake, longtubes w/ cats, stock SLP dual dual exhaust (no cutout) 4.10 gears, and Nitto drag radials (M6) and he runs 12.0 - 12.2 all day long on crappy old Nittos. No weight reduction. Consistently traps 116 in the heat, at 1,000 ft actual elevation. Tripped the lights once at 118 mph, and then 120 mph in cooler air. Idles absolutely stock and is very quiet. Got 29 mpg on the highway a few months back. Very sweet setup. He just ordered the new M/T ET Street Drag Radials. Car will see 11s soon.

 

For perfect valvetrain geometry with the 02 LS6 cam you will need a 7.427" pushrod. Other than going custom I know of no one making that length pushrod. When I was running my 02 LS6 cam @ LS6 valvesprings I reved to 6500rpms with my rev limiter at 6800rpms. I used the stock factory pushrods with no problems. The LS6 cam peaks at 6000 and holds flat to 6500rpms. After that it starts to drop quickly so there is no gain in spinning it over 6500rpms. FWIW I would not use a 7.450" pushrod that would mean you have too much length on your pushrod. IMO the best bet is to buy a set of 7.400" hardened pushrods from Thunder Racing. They measure out to 7.415" as mine did so then you will only be 0.012" off perfect valvetrain geometry.

 

Hi Folks
I have the LS6 combination but my heads are machined .055, so the push rods are 7.325. I hope this helps.
Bill

 

Bill, Ryan, are you guys using the stock valves or the
Z06 valves?

 

I was using the stock LS1 valves in my 241 LS1 heads. BTW I made 376rwhp @ 361rwtq.....Lid, ASP, Ported TB, LS6 cam, LTs, ORY, SLP DD muffler @ tuning by Mikey.

 

Hi Jimmyblue
the heads are LS6 heads with LS6(Z06) valves.
Bill