I plan on buying LT4 valve springs and all new LT4 supporting parts (caps, retainers, locks). Since everything is going to be LT4, do I still have to measure the valve springs to make sure they clear? I was reading a thread and the person said they had to measure every single valve spring to make sure they were all the correct length.Is this only when mixing and matching stuff? Am I gonna be able to get my LT4 hardware and just put it on? I don't want to drop a valve.

Sorry for the stupid question.

Rob

 

What cam and what rockers?

 

Stock cam, Comp pro mag 1.6's

 

They'll fit no problem. You should measure for the correct installed height though. To do that, remove the rocker arm, compress & remove the spring, locks and retainers. Take off the seal. Remove the origional spring seat.

Then:

Install spring seat. Install locks and retainers, but DO NOT put the spring in. Pull up on the retainer to hold everything in place. Measure with calipers the distance between the spring seat, and the bottom of the retainer. It should be 1.75 to 1.80 inches. If they check out ot be ok, then remove the locks and retainers, and go ahead and assemble it with the spring in place. Also, something to consider, its pushing the springs to their limits using 1.6RR's. Even LT4 springs. They will support the stock cam, but if you go any higher lift you will need different springs. I'd just go with Comp Bee Hives Or something that will take a little more cam. That way in the future you can cam it if you want without having to redo everything.

 

Thank you for the replies.

I think I will just go with the LT4 springs for know because im kinda on a budget. In the future, when I rip the whole motor out, I will then upgrade to better springs so I will have all new parts.

Thanks again,

Rob

 

When I installed my LT4 springs I reused the spring seats.
I did replace the retainers and locks with the LT4 types.

Was this bad?

Also I did not shim any of the springs during install.

So basically I have the LT1 seats, LT4 springs, retainers and locks with no shimming.

The engine runs great. Did I do bad?

 

Some people get away with it some don't. Your just taking a risk when you don't measure the installed height of each spring.

 

So by skipping this process what can occur?

Im sure I am less likely to fully compress the spring.

 

Different installed heights and spring pressures affect the way the spring controls the valve. Ideally you want to check each spring with a pressure tester to see what installed height for each spring gives the recommended spring pressure. Generally though getting them all at the same installed height is good enough. Worst case scenario is not having enough installed height to avoid coil bind, breaking a spring, and dropping a valve. With your setup being that it's a stock cam with LT4 hardware it's not as big of a concern, but it still needs to be checked. All it takes is a $50 height checker, some shims, and some time for a lot of peace of mind.

 

I guess I should consider this maybe during the summer.
Thanks

Whats the worst that can happen in my situation?

 

yikes, im glad I asked this question..

 

Worst case scenario, for you, Reusing your seats with new springs could maybe damage something, if your really hammering on the car all the time. Honestly, If I was you, I would keep the covers on and not look back. You have a pretty common set up. And your heads were never worked on correct? Or Block ... So everything else is stock. The stock springs arent each individually checked, and GM will warrenty them. It just is peace of mind that you know each cylinder is uniform. Checkin mine, they were all perfect, I need no shims, but I have +.05" retainers, and comp seats(locators)

 

Yeah the heads and block are stock.