Beehive Valve Spring tests..
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,592
From: N Falmouth MA
Beehive Valve Spring tests..
I think I misplaced an issue of one of my Car Mags. I have, literally, a library of GMHTP, Engine Builders, Camaro Performers and just about any other mag. I'm almost sure that the test was performed an a built L98. But this can relate to ANY valvetrain build up.
I distinctly remember reading an article about a valve float test conducted with regular dual springs and Beehive springs. Not sure if they were 918 specific. I have torn my place apart looking for it. I don't think it was GMHTP, I tried Google and Hot Rod website. I cannot find it for the life of me.
If anyone has any valve spring tests, Please post them. Findings, links whatever.
Thanx..
I distinctly remember reading an article about a valve float test conducted with regular dual springs and Beehive springs. Not sure if they were 918 specific. I have torn my place apart looking for it. I don't think it was GMHTP, I tried Google and Hot Rod website. I cannot find it for the life of me.
If anyone has any valve spring tests, Please post them. Findings, links whatever.
Thanx..
Last edited by Bayer-Z28; Dec 27, 2006 at 09:07 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,034
From: Raleigh, NC
There are several different beehive springs both from comp and other places. Comp doesn't actually make their springs, PSI does. I have some custom PSI beehives that are capable of more lift, but I set them up for more seat pressure with shims than the regular 918's.
I like the beehives because they save weight and are supposed to be a more stable spring. I think the weak link is when you want to run higher lift that .610 or so and still keep decent seat and open pressures. I'm no expert, this is just my limited knowledge speaking. I'd love to hear some expert opinions on this. I'm not sure what the lift numbers or seat pressures are, but both Lloyd Elliot and AI use the beehive springs on all their LT1 heads as advertised on their respective websites.
I like the beehives because they save weight and are supposed to be a more stable spring. I think the weak link is when you want to run higher lift that .610 or so and still keep decent seat and open pressures. I'm no expert, this is just my limited knowledge speaking. I'd love to hear some expert opinions on this. I'm not sure what the lift numbers or seat pressures are, but both Lloyd Elliot and AI use the beehive springs on all their LT1 heads as advertised on their respective websites.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,592
From: N Falmouth MA
I remember reading that the beehives reach coil bind at a different compression...... length, I guess.
The bottom of the springs stack up and it works upward from there. Isn't coil bind a deadly trait? THat's why springs break? A regular coil spring would bind all at once. The beehives bind from the bottom to the top. Suppose that's why they are more stable.
As far as the hats and locks, The regular springs are 1.44", and the BH's are 1.05". You have the same or more presure exerted on a smaller area. Tapered from 1.29" to 1.05". Obvously the smaller hat would weigh less. I forgot where I was going w/ this..
http://www.iskycams.com/2005NewProdSupp.pdf
The bottom of the springs stack up and it works upward from there. Isn't coil bind a deadly trait? THat's why springs break? A regular coil spring would bind all at once. The beehives bind from the bottom to the top. Suppose that's why they are more stable.
As far as the hats and locks, The regular springs are 1.44", and the BH's are 1.05". You have the same or more presure exerted on a smaller area. Tapered from 1.29" to 1.05". Obvously the smaller hat would weigh less. I forgot where I was going w/ this..
http://www.iskycams.com/2005NewProdSupp.pdf
Last edited by Bayer-Z28; Jan 4, 2007 at 07:33 PM.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,518
There are several different beehive springs both from comp and other places. Comp doesn't actually make their springs, PSI does. I have some custom PSI beehives that are capable of more lift, but I set them up for more seat pressure with shims than the regular 918's.
I like the beehives because they save weight and are supposed to be a more stable spring. I think the weak link is when you want to run higher lift that .610 or so and still keep decent seat and open pressures. I'm no expert, this is just my limited knowledge speaking. I'd love to hear some expert opinions on this. I'm not sure what the lift numbers or seat pressures are, but both Lloyd Elliot and AI use the beehive springs on all their LT1 heads as advertised on their respective websites.
I like the beehives because they save weight and are supposed to be a more stable spring. I think the weak link is when you want to run higher lift that .610 or so and still keep decent seat and open pressures. I'm no expert, this is just my limited knowledge speaking. I'd love to hear some expert opinions on this. I'm not sure what the lift numbers or seat pressures are, but both Lloyd Elliot and AI use the beehive springs on all their LT1 heads as advertised on their respective websites.
Nope American Spring makes Comps springs now. Peterson Automotive Company made the beehives before hand. Not PSI.
Coil bind is when the spring is fully compressed and all the coils are stacked solid.
For the article look in Popular Hot Rodding. David Vizard has some great articles on beehives.
Bret
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,034
From: Raleigh, NC
Nope American Spring makes Comps springs now. Peterson Automotive Company made the beehives before hand. Not PSI.
Coil bind is when the spring is fully compressed and all the coils are stacked solid.
For the article look in Popular Hot Rodding. David Vizard has some great articles on beehives.
Bret
Coil bind is when the spring is fully compressed and all the coils are stacked solid.
For the article look in Popular Hot Rodding. David Vizard has some great articles on beehives.
Bret
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 454
From: So. Cal
Here is a link to one of the Beehive Valve spring articles.
http://krcperformance.com/newcontent/beehive.html
http://krcperformance.com/newcontent/beehive.html
Banned
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,518
seawolf....
To find what the lifter is seeing take the nose pressure and mulitply that by the rocker arm ratio. Normally the stock lifters can take 450lbs, but usually the pressure isin't the problem with the lifters it's the RPM and their own mass getting in the way.
Bret
To find what the lifter is seeing take the nose pressure and mulitply that by the rocker arm ratio. Normally the stock lifters can take 450lbs, but usually the pressure isin't the problem with the lifters it's the RPM and their own mass getting in the way.
Bret
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,034
From: Raleigh, NC
seawolf....
To find what the lifter is seeing take the nose pressure and mulitply that by the rocker arm ratio. Normally the stock lifters can take 450lbs, but usually the pressure isin't the problem with the lifters it's the RPM and their own mass getting in the way.
Bret
To find what the lifter is seeing take the nose pressure and mulitply that by the rocker arm ratio. Normally the stock lifters can take 450lbs, but usually the pressure isin't the problem with the lifters it's the RPM and their own mass getting in the way.
Bret
So I'm guessing it's not the open pressure. How do you determine the pressure on the nose? My beehives have 145 seat and 385 open.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,034
From: Raleigh, NC
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 799
From: Breese, IL
Are you using the advertised open pressure or the pressure your setup will be running? You want to use your setup (including cam lift numbers) to come up with the real pressure...
My springs are rated at 391 lb/in and 402 lbs open. But, open is rated at .700 lift. Doing some simple math on mine (.544 lift cam) puts my actual open pressure at 341 lbs (402-((.700-.544)*391)=341). With 1.6 rockers, that's 545.6 lbs.
My springs are rated at 391 lb/in and 402 lbs open. But, open is rated at .700 lift. Doing some simple math on mine (.544 lift cam) puts my actual open pressure at 341 lbs (402-((.700-.544)*391)=341). With 1.6 rockers, that's 545.6 lbs.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post