LS1 springs

[StudlyCamaro]

i know i read on the old site that someone had their heads moddified to use an LS1 valve spring, anyone know how this was done?

-Aaron

[robby1870]

V6h.0. has it done, IIRC

[bszopi]

GPXSS has done it as well...



IIRC, stock is on the left and the LS1 is on the right. He has a spreadsheet on what parts are needed as well, I just need to find it.

[GPXSS]

no head modifications necessary, the above picture is using a Compcam LS1 beehive spring, the smaller value of the 2 they offer. You have to use stock GM LS1 spring seats and use the rest of the stock 3100 spring hardware up top. You aslo have to use older style 3.1 stem seals.

[v6h.o.]

yeah just like GPXSS said.

i used:

stock GM LS1 Springs,
LS1 retainers, LS1 Locks. and LS1 brass spring seat shim's due to you need something between the aluminum head and the spring to keep from ruining the head.

also stock 3100/3400 vavle seals as gpxss said will not work. the springs are too narrow to fit around them. i use stock 3.1L Vin T valve seals.

im wanting to upgrade this year to either Comp or Crowers new LS1 replacement Titanium Locks and Retainers
mmm... less weight...

[v6h.o.]

my springs... the only pic i have of them unfortunatly.

[StudlyCamaro]

sweet, you guys are very helpful , thanks a lot

[jweir22]

What is the benefit of the LS1 springs compared to stock?

[StudlyCamaro]

they are stiffer, thus allowing me to use a higher lift cam in my car

[GPXSS]

im wanting to upgrade this year to either Comp or Crowers new LS1 replacement Titanium Locks and Retainers
mmm... less weight...

The retainer use on the right in that picture is the Comp Titanium retainer.

I was thinking of getting them, but there are 2 reasons why I didnt:

1. bling bling
2. the weight savings isnt all that drastic over the stock retainer.. you get more of a savings by going to SI valves.

I bought 2 retainers from Comp.. the LS1 Steel and LS1 Ti .. the Steel one is heavier than the stock 3100 retainer, and the Ti is maybe 3/4 the weight of the stock 3100 retainer.

In hind sight.. im betting if you use Ti retainers, Ti locks, and Si or other lightweight valves, you can run stock 3100 springs on a high lift cam with no problems N/A.

[v6h.o.]

thanks for the heads up GPXSS, how much lighter are the SI valves than stock, i take it you weighed them.

ive been meaning to upgrade the vavles as well for a long time, just havnt got around to it.

someday. when i get fundage again.....

[robby1870]

So Colin, did you have to do anything to the heads to make the LS1 springs fit?

[v6h.o.]

other than using the lower brass spring seats/shims and using the older MPFI 3.1L style Valve Stem Seals. no not really.

by the looks of things as GPXSS has shown, stock retainer/lock hardware works with these springs, but in my case i used the full LS1 spring setup,

i work at a dealer eh, so parts are cheap, so this is why i went this route instead of aftermarket comp/crane ect springs.

the other plus advantage to teh LS1 springs is the shape of them, they use like the 3X00's use a Conical/Beehive shape. which reduces spring weight and mass and makes for a lighter spring...

and with most instances in valvetrain lighter is better.

[robby1870]

Cool, since Im building a 3.1L this might be something I look into. Whats the coil bind height of the LS1 springs? Stock 3.1L is like .500", IIRC. Just wondering on the LS1s if they can take more lift

[StudlyCamaro]

LS1's .510 , LS6's .560