93M6Formula

I know I know....Another cam and spring thread..

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a CC503, i'm tired of my bolt-on car and I need something to tie me over for awhile lol.

I keep reading these threads on broken springs and it scares me so I want to make the right choice. Also, since I won't be pulling the heads or anything, how can I make sure they are at the correct installed height? I plan on using the Tims Tool to do the springs with the motor in the car obviously.

I already have Comp Pro Mag Ultra 1.6s, Guideplates, and 7/16 studs so i'm ready for that part at least.

Also i'm guessing you have to pull the radiator to get the cam all the way out correct? And you have to remove the intake and pull the lifters and the oil pump drive?

Let me know if i'm forgetting anything besides the obvious gaskets etc.

nitrous2fast

iTrader: (2)

timing chain and maybe the cloyes oversize crank sprocket.

93M6Formula

Anyone else??

F0x Slaughter

LE assembles his heads with Patriot Extreme Gold Springs.

Rated to .650" lift.

95mysticta

iTrader: (4)

Extremes are way overkill for the cc503. Those springs are actually on mass back order and lloyd hasn't been using for over a year now. I would just use the rec comp 918s as its been a proven combo for a long long time. Spring failures are due to much more aggressive cam lobes that require a lot of seat pressure and people are using inadequate springs for the cam setup they are running. That's not the case all the time as I'm sure there is those fluke issues but generally its the springs are not chosen right for the application.

Ed Wright

iTrader: (1)

Might just use what Comp calls for. It's in the catalog.

93M6Formula

Alright thanks guys, so is it as easy as just putting the springs on a running? Will there be any shimming needed?

Valkyn

iTrader: (8)

You need to find out what the installed height should be, measure with the spring height tool then shim as needed.

sweet-94z28

iTrader: (30)

I have used both Comp 918 and PAC 1218 with the CC503 and both work great. Broken springs are 95% of the time from them being setup incorrectly. The cc503 will be right about .533/.537 (close) with 1.6 rockers. There are 2 ways you can set this up. The 1218 or the 918 with the stock locks will measure about 1.750-1.760 on install height (from my own personal measurements, not something I have read). The advertised or recommended height is 1.800" and max lift on both is 0.600". This means the max compressed height would be 1.200". If you are running at 1.750, subtract 1.200 and you get your new max lift of 0.550". Then cc503 should be fine with the springs set up using stock locks, but you must keep in mind that the springs are always under more tension and will likely have a significantly shorter life. With the cc503 being lower on the lift side, some people liked having their springs setup up with stock locks and run for miles and miles, but the best thing to do is get some offset locks and bring the springs out closer to the 1.800" install height. The cc503 doesn't need extra force to keep valve float away or anything like that. It's a great cam and I have used it in a lot of street cars.

93M6Formula

There's the info I was looking for. Where can I get those offset locks? What do I look for?

sweet-94z28

iTrader: (30)

Summit sells them. 614-16 is the part number for the 0.050" offset locks. They are 10 degree locks. Make sure your new retainers are 10 degree. I would recommend getting your new springs and retainers, then take some measurements of the install height. I use these with 795-16 retainers. A cc503 does not need titanium retainers or anything fancy because the cam only makes power to about 6000-6200, so tool steel ones work great.

The most important thing is to make sure you measure it. I have had to add a few shims before to get to 1.800" install height with the 0.050" locks. If you don't shim them to a min of 1.800", you may get some valve float from the lack of seat pressure.

93M6Formula

Perfect sounds good, I'll start searching for those parts and get to work! Valvetrain has always scared cuz i've never gone this far with it before. I want to make sure it's done right.

93M6Formula

One other question, it says the 795-16 retainers designed for use with CCA-26120 Beehive springs. Do they work with the 918s just as well?

sweet-94z28

iTrader: (30)

The 26918 specs are:
OD: Top 1.055" Bottom 1.290"
ID: Top .650" Bottom .885"
Seat Pressure: 130 lbs @ 1.800''
Open Pressure: 318 lbs @ 1.200''
Coil Bind: 1.100"
Spring Rate: 313 lbs/in

The 26120 specs are:
OD: Top 1.095" Bottom 1.445"
ID: Top .650" Bottom 1.000"
Seat Pressure: 155 lbs @ 1.880''
Open Pressure: 377 lbs @ 1.280''
Coil Bind: 1.230"
Spring Rate: 370 lbs/in

The ID is the same at the top and the OD at the top on the 26120 is 0.040" larger, they will work fine with the 918. I just checked my summit order history and those are the ones that we have been running. They work fine.

1961ba427

iTrader: (26)

Nothing wrong with what others are recommending, but I have been very pleased with the Crane Cams kit #10308-1 on my cc503 cam. It comes with springs, retainers, locks, and shims all in one kit and just for the aluminum head LT1's. (They have another kit for iron headed LT1's.) They work best with Comp Cams #4770-16 locators (spring seats) instead of the supplied shims, but will also work fine without them. I haven't seen alot of threads about broken springs using these like I do with beehives. Plus if one did break, the second spring would likely keep the valve from dropping unlike a single spring.

93M6Formula

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help. I have more confidence to do it now lol.

8595transam

iTrader: (6)

You could also use some bullet vs2700 springs. Re-use your stock locks and retainers. 145lbs seat 360lbs open up to .575 lift. Around $130 shipped from bullet racing cams. Remove the dampner from the springs or it will chew up the valve seals.