I called the guys at Comp Cams and Summit, both said springs aren't necessary for a stock cam. But I ran a search and it seems everybody is changing out their springs.

Am I screwed? Do I need to go to GM and order the springs, wait, rent a spring compressor, etc... I wanted to do the swap this weekend.

I did this because I adjusted the rockers this past weekend and noticed that the cup on the back-side of the stock stamped rockers where the pushrod goes was elongated... to the point where there are two cups almost. I think that is what was giving me the rattle on decel that was being picked up as false knock.

Can I swap this weekend or do I have to order the springs?!!

 

Well i recommend getting a set of LT4 springs,but there are also alot of guys on here that run the 1.6RR on stock springs and have never had a problem.If you put them on the stock springs just check all the springs for coil bind before you start the engine.

 

I would recommend aftermarket springs otherwise your stockers will wear out ALOT faster.

Happened to me.

 

spend the cash and get the comp 987's springs,
you won't regret it, and you will never have to replace your springs again on your stock heads, just incase you decide to go with a hot cam .
I highly recommend these springs, that is what I have, its just a pain to replace the springs, so you don't want to have to do it more than once, just do it right the first time.

 

unless you see yourself getting a big cam in the future( like 306, or an Xe cam) LT4 springs are a good choice.
You can run them stock.
and just buy a spring compressor, its $25

 

A spring with a large lift rate will rob horse power. Stock springs are fine with 1.6 rockers. I used them for a few months with no problems.

 

I wouldn't use stock springs with 1.6 rockers, even if they were new. Max recommended lift for stock springs is around .490. With 1.6 rockers, you'll get there on the exhuast. So do the job right and get LT4 springs if you don't plan on upgrading to a bigger cam in the near future.

 

You guys really know the right questions to ask... this is the best board!

I will be getting a set of heads probably this June... then it will be ported and polished with a CC503 cam. The issue is that if I get the springs now, then I will have to get them again this Summer.

How do I check for coil bind? I'd like to use the 1.6 RRs on the stock springs until I get the heads p/p this summer.

 

To be nerdy the stock springs are rated to .491 and with 1.6 rockers the lift would be .490.

To check for coil bind have a friend rotate the motor by hand while you watch the spring compress. Have one rocker installed at this point. If the spring compresses so much that the springs coil touch each other that is bind.

dont worry though a lot of people use 1.6 rockers on stock springs. as long as it is a stock cam

 

If I have a feeler guage, could I try to slide it in under max compression?

Also, heat would make the spring expand right? So, if that is true then I would lose my clearance and bind...

Can you use stock Valve Covers with 1.6 Roller Rockers? Or do I need a new set of those too!

 

Stock valve covers work fine so long as you use a narrow body rocker arm or any rocker thats made for the centerbolt valve covers. Stock springs have been fine for me going on 7 months now. I don't doubt that they are close to being max'd out though, I set them at a 1/4 turn past zero and the coil binded at 1/2 turn past zero but I haven't had any problems like bind or float with them set where they are.

 

You can pick up a set of LT4 springs on the for sale boards for around $30. I'd definately change the springs at the same time.

 

Ok, the arguement is convincing to change the springs. I will buy a set that will work with the CC503 that I want this summer. That brings a few questions...

1 - I read on www.streetillusionsracing.com about changing the springs. They just put the piston to TDC and changed out the spring. I've got tight headers on here and I will not be able to inject air into that piston. Can I put the piston at TDC and still change out the valve?

2 - Will I need to shim the head spring seat beyond the shims supplied in the spring kit? I will not have any way to test spring pressure. Will the out of the box springs work ok?

3 - What is the recommend spring installer tool?