I'm looking at installing a set of the Beehive springs from Comp Cams which are a 1.255 dia spring onto my Lt1 heads.. Scoggin Dickey markets a set of them as part # SD1423. They also have a kit which includes Titatnium retainers, and the springs for $178. Part# SD1423KIT My only issues are this:

What seats do I use? I was thinking about the LT4 1.320" seats which use the ID to locate the spring, but am not sure if the ovate wire on the beehives will clear the retainer. OR, will a set of LS1 spring locators fit onto the LT1 heads?

Also, are LS1 valves a different DIA? I keep reading .312", vs LT1 valves of 11/32"..... If so, then LS1 retainers and standard 7 degree locks won't work then... Right?


Thanks.

-Tom

 

TTT

I know someone has some ideas....

 

Call comp cams toll free cam help number. Get it from the people that make the spring. They should know for sure. I don't think anyone here has used them yet.

Jeff D.

 

Have you carefully selected springs to match your cam and other valve train components? I would also advise that you contact the Comp Tech line for the info you are seeking. CompCams

 

Don, I'm currently running the HotCam. I was using the LT4 springs that came with the kit on my other heads and they seemed to work fine. Since then I have went with a set of Combination Motorsports Stage II heads with Comp 987 springs.. I believe the 987's are way OVERKILL for the Hotcam, and may be costing me some HP due to the excessive spring rates. The Hotcam calls for 105lbs seat pressure. I'm currently setup close to 140lbs seat pressure since I had to run a different -.030 retainer lock to lower the retainers to clear the GMPP's..

The Behives at 110lb seat pressure would be a perfect match for the Hotcam, especially considering I'm now running some heavy Ferrea 2.00/1.56 valves compared to the stocker 1.94/1.50valves in my other heads.

At certain RPM's, the comps loose control of the valves and things start to rattle.. Known as spring surge.

The Comp tech line was of no assistance, they said stick with the comp 987's....

-Tom

 

This is a myth. More energy is needed to compress a higher rate spring, but not all the springs are compressed at the same time, some spring are decompressing and the hence the opesite forces cancel each other. The only downside with the higher rate spring is faster wear of cam and lifters.
Go with the radvice of the tech ppl at comp.

 

Is that COmp conical spring #982? Seat loat for it is 100 @1.750. I have the latest Comp catalog and I can't find a spring seat listed for that spring The recommended max lift is .500.

 

Don, the spring I'm looking at it the 26915 from Comp I believe.. unless Scoggin Dickey has comp make another spring just for them....

Here is the tech info on it:

Part # 26915
Seat Lbs. 105 @ 1.8"
Open Lbs. 293 @ 1.8"
Rate (Ave) 313 lbs./in. 313 lbs./in.
Coil Bind 1.085"
O.D. 1.290/1.060"
I.D. 0.885/0.656"

This would be a supurb spring for the Hotcam, and would be probably allow me to rev into the 6700 rpm range.

-Tom

 

Could the 915's work? Sure they could, but why mess with success? The 987's work great with everything from a Hot Cam to a 306, so unless you're shooting for the world's most efficient Hot Cam setup, why mess with it? I would think that you'd benefit more by changing cams then optimizing a Hot Cam setup.

 

You usually get a moron when you call the Comp Cams Tech Line. Try this: call a couple of different times with the same question. Don't be surprised if you get a different answer each time, all incorrect. Comp obviously has people who know more about cams than the membership of this board combined. But it shouldn't surprise you that they aren't the folks answering consumer questions over the phone.

Rich Krause

 

So the 987 would be a good spring for the XE 224 /236 low lift version?

ANother thing.. has anyone used it? results? comments??

 

Comp's top cam guy started at Comp on the tech lines. That was about 10 years ago. Too bad he "graduated". No, not really.

My guess is that most of the questions the techline guys answer are basic, or much like "what magic cam will give me 750 hp and still be street drivable, get 20 mpg, and have stock reliablity?"

There's no such thing as a stupid question....but those kinds are close.

 

I called comp tech line 4 times and they all said something different and 3 of the guys were ignorant.

 

Coil bind depends on the install height of the spring. I am using 987's installed at 1.800 and so they are good to .600 lift. They is a formula for it somewhere here. Something like MAX Lift=(Install Height - (coil bind+0.060)).


Jeff D.

 

I think it would be a good choice. If you're gonna rev it much past 6K you may prefer the 978. The rate is 344 vs. 403lb/in. for the 987 v. 978.

Rich Krause