I got a cam i would love to use but its border line on stock valve train(125k miles).

Max lift w/ stock 1.5's is 503
I could chance it and save over $500+ , after springs,retainers,locators,locks,machineing,RR's,v alvejob,etc.....

My question is how much lift can the stockers handle?
Real world experience please.

 

Spend a little now or spend a lot later. Your choice. It's not worth the risk. The stock cam is borderline with the stock valvetrain. Anything else is overkill.

 

Its not only the max lift that the springs can take that matters, the ramp profile on the performance cam is too extreme for the stock springs to control the valves - upgrade them with the cam.

 

RR's, springs, retainers, locators, shims and locks are all ya need. Head work will help, but you don't need it if your trying to stay cheap. If you do RR's you could go with a 1.6:1 ratio and get 0.537/0.544 vs .0503/0.510 with the 1.5:1 rockers. But make sure you get springs that can take that lift. Just a thought.

 

I did it long ago.....a hot cam on stock springs and rockers.

It lasted along time and the car ran good. But when I checked them it was a ticking time bomb.

Isky makes some good springs that are stock diameter and you can reuse your retainers and locators. Look at circle track stuff alot of classes have to run a stock diameter spring. The stock LT1 retainers are decent IMO......for something mild anyway.

I have done all this stuff.....done budget stuff and stock style stuff........I learned that if there is one place you need to make wise investment in a motor its the valetrain.

A high quality pushrod may also have small gains in it by reducing flex...its the little things like that , that add up and give you a good combo

 

The springs can be changed-out without too much trouble with the heads on. Also, there are several brands of springs that aren't too expensive, but can handle the lift (Comp beehive 918s). Don't forget to change the valve stem seals.

WD

 

My question is how much lift can the stockers handle?
Real world experience please.


the stock springs barely handle the stock cam with stock rockers a cam of any larger lift and duration may cause spring failure possibly drop a valve.
safe bet is a set of springs.

 

Thanks guys
I guess I will have to go ***** out.
That so sucks.
If anyone has a On the Cheap winning combo please let me know.

BIG thanks to Speed Engineering They have really good prices BTW.

 

Get the PAC beehives for some great quality springs. You can get the Crane 10308-1 kit to save some dough, too.

 

The PAC-1518 beehive springs list for around $325 on the PAC web-site. Is there a retailer with a better price on the PAC springs?

WD

 

The PAC1218s are the original 918s. THey are a bit cheaper. If there is enough interest I could do another GP for the 1218s.
BTW- I got a set of the 1518s sitting here NIB I will ship for $230.

 

I'll need the PAC-1518s, as I'm running very near .600 lift at the valve. And, I’m wanting an upgrade spring over Comp 918s beehives I’m currently running. I also plan to add titanium retainers when I change-out the springs.

I had actually checked your web-site earlier this week for the PAC-1518s and saw your $325.00 list price. So yes, the $230 shipped for “NIB” PAC-1518s sounds great! I’ll give you a call when I get some time this week.

WD

 

Yep, if you need the Ti retainers let me know too.

Thanks!

 

Found a good deal on LS6 Yellow springs w/retainers and locks.
will they just drop in and work? Im going to continue my research, but chime in if u know.

Thanks everyone.

 

The LS6 locks/retainers will not work on our valves.