Reusing Stock Valve Spring Retainers?
Reusing Stock Valve Spring Retainers? I will be swapping out the cam in my 04 C5 soon with one from Comp cams. They recommend using their 941-16 springs. Can I reuse the stock retainers?
Thanks
Thanks
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: North Royalton, Ohio
I was on a budget the first time I swapped cams so I reused them. With Comp 918 springs and a small 218 dur. cam they worked just fine. I went ahead and replaced them on the next swap that I did.
Personally, I would look at another spring. I don't like the single spring with a damper, I would prefer a beehive spring instead. You don't mention what cam you are installing so it is hard to recommend a spring. You likely need to change the valve seals/seats (since they are one piece) and the retainers for this spring. I would also consider machined locks, they are much stronger.
I'm putting in a mild 216/220 cam with .525 lift. I would like to buy a valve spring kit that had every thing, but I don't know enough to chose the right one so I was going with the spring recommended by the cam manufacturer.
The 918's would work great with that cam, probably even the 915's. I would put in the Comp retainers (steel) made for the 918's though because they fit better than the stock ones and the retainers need to be a snug fit (not tight, not loose). I still would go with the machined locks too. This way, you don't have to touch your valve seals/seats. The springs they recommended are total overkill. (I have found the Comp tech line to be totally useless)
If you want a good read, David Vizard has a book out on cams and valve train modifications for the SBC. It is not specific to the LS1, but there is a ton of good information in it and it will definitely help you understand some of the decisions and trade-off's to make.
If you want a good read, David Vizard has a book out on cams and valve train modifications for the SBC. It is not specific to the LS1, but there is a ton of good information in it and it will definitely help you understand some of the decisions and trade-off's to make.
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TECH Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 14,620
Likes: 17
From: BFE
I ran this cam many moon ago with 918,s and stock retainers. If you do not plan on reving past 6300, stock retainers will be more than enough. Although they wiggle a bit when on the spring, once the valve assembly fully locked there is no issues.
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Stock retainers and locks will be just fine with a spring that fits them. The LS6 spring is IMO all thats needed for a 220 cam and under, 220-232 would use 918s and anything above that run the duals that are out from various places like Patriot.
