I have put about 8k miles on my Absolute Speed 5.3 heads with crane dual springs. I am running a 224/228 581/588 +4 cam. Just curious when it is time to swap the springs or is there a test I can run to check the strength of the springs.

 

DEPENDS ON HHOW MUCH TRACK TIME OR HOW MUCH YOU REDLINE IT BUT OTHERWISE RULE OF THUMB IS 20,000 MILES

 

Hi Judge, please avoid typing all in capital (It is considered as shouting).

In genearal as Judge mentionned it depends on how hard you use the motor, but it is good practice to measure the seat/open-closed pressures on a yearly basis.
compare that to original specs to make a judgement on whether to replace or not.
Singles should be done more often than duals.

 

The car is not driven hard at all. I have not even taken it to the track since it was stock.

 

On a cam that size with dual springs i would say just check the seat pressures at 15K. They will probably be ok since you cam isnt very large. The closed and open pressure tests are what yopu want to do.

 

I wouldn't be worried for at least 30k miles. Your cam is small and you are running dual springs.

 

I fully agree. Valvespring test gauges can be had for $70 and you also need a vice, dial calipers. I check the pressures on my new Patriots and just recently plled them after 20K miles. They had lost a few lbs open and closed but the car has seen alot of WOT and probably 20-30 track passes. Not bad IMO. I plan to pull again in 10K and go from there.

Since you don't drive it hard, if it were mine I would check every 30K miles.

 

You have a ways to go. Im at 26k miles on my 224/228 patriot gold duals. still runs like a champ. I drive mine hard..sees redline many times. I do however follow the golden rule with dual springs. No WOT until oil temps hit 150 deg.

 

Predator-Z offers some good advice. The springs should be fine for awhile. We have tested several sets that customers have sent in after changing and the springs have done very well. One set that stands out was a set on a G5X3 cam that had 27,000 miles on them that were still at their advertised rates.