I'm getting ready to make a lot of changes to my car this spring/summer. The biggies are as follows:

Edelbrock TES headers-Gettin it
Catco 3 inch cat-Gettin it
'96 Vette LT1 cam-Got it
Edelbrock performer TBI manifold-Got it

I'm thinking about using the stock valve springs. The car isn't a daily driver, I've only put 10K on it since I've had it(October 2000). I'm thinking of building a roller 350 block and using the Edelbrock 60cc centerbolt heads on it in a few years anyway.

My question is, what happens if a valve spring breaks? Is the valve going to fall into the engine? Should the retainer catch it before it does that? How bad would it be if one breaks? I'm trying to weigh the risks. I know a few of you have used the stock springs with no problem. I think they can take it too. I just want to know what will happen if one were to break.

 

First, I have heard that the edelbrock heads arent that good, I may be mistaken though
And I believe that the springs would just wear out, and you would get valve float, they shouldnt break, I dont think.

 

I probably wouldn't have to worry about valve float, I don't plan on letting it rev over 5 grand any. It shifts itself at 4500.

On the subject of the Edelbrock heads, NJ Speeder has run 14.2@95 on a 305 that lost compression by using them, had the stock cam, the same manifold and headers that I'm putting on this summer.

A 350 with those heads would be great! More cubic inches, more bore, more compression. My goal is mid 13's so that combo will be the perfect choice. I should be able to use a mild cam, and combined with a custom chip the car should be very streetable.

 

If you break a valve spring,you'll probably hear a nice sound resulting from your valve hitting your piston.Piston top will look like hamburger.
Seen it happen.
-Rich-

 

Ok, well that answers what could happen. Now do you think any of them will really break?

I guess mid 13's with that 350 motor maybe a bit more than I could hope for. NJ Speeder's car is a "drag car", I want to keep mine looking stock. I also may keep a few of the things that hinder these cars when they keep to that power level. I'm thinking of keeping the highway gears, the stock TBI size bores, and a few other little things that most people change out right away. So mid 14's should be easy with the 350 I talked about before.

 

Well, all I said was I HEARD they suck. Anyways, how much do they cost? Vortec L31's might be a better value....

 

They cost a lot, but I don't care.

I want my car emmisions legal. Vortec's don't have EGR. Besides I'll already have the manifold to fit those heads, not the vortec's. When the time comes I might go with a set of Word Heads, but it would be neat to have aluminum heads and, what 10:1 compression?

 

With aluminum heads you should shoot for 10-10.5:1 .

 

valve springs breaking are a very bad thing.... i suggest u replace them with some titanium ones of ur running a half inch or bigger cam. i got a little over a half inch on mine wioth 1.6 rockers and i wouldnt want the spring to break. btw...about the cylinder heads... get some dart heads or world products... get the cast iron ones... personally i think aluminum ones are a waste of money. for the cost of aluminum ones u can get a new set of cast iron heads along with a nitrous kit. think about it

 

The cam I have has something like .450/.460 lift. I'll figure the heads out again when I get there, it's still a few years off. See the reason I want aluminum is because I want compression, and I want less weight. I might get the World's when the time comes though, not so I can affoard NOS kit though.

 

I did a little math, don't know how close I got. But a 60cc chamber on a 350 with flattops will only get me like high 9's at best 10 in compression. Those world heads look a lot better now.

 

I've had two cars that a valve spring broke in. (yes I was hard on them )

A 72 Chevelle with a 350, and a modest Comp Cams 268H in it. And a 74 Camaro with a solid Crane "Fireball" cam.

Neither engine sustained any damage. *whipping sweat off of forehead*

But GØD did they run like crap. Luckily they were both the exhaust valves so there wasn't a piston trying to push air against the intake charge. It just had a HUGE overlap to deal with. :sillylol:

But if it does happen, you will know it. One way or another. Let's just hope it's not "another".

AJ

 

Yeah I've heard of people breaking them before, without major damage. I don't think these will break because of that cam. If I want to push it after I have the cam in, then I'll break down and do the springs, but I bet 5000 rpm is the most it will ever see if that.