Factory Valve spring differences? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

NikolaiD · 10-31-2017, 01:51 PM

I searched for a while now with no good info.

What is the difference between the yellow and blue valve springs?

The engine came with yellow springs, I just bought GMPP heads and they came with blue springs.
I can find specs on the blue springs everywhere, but nothing on the yellow.

The blue say "Outside Diameter: 1.290 in., Coil Bind Height: 1.220 in, Spring Rate: 375 lbs./in.

I thought I found them years ago, but now they're nowhere. Are they the same, just different color? I recall seeing 375lbs./in on the yellow springs too, is that correct?

frankwjr · 10-31-2017, 03:33 PM

Do your self a favor and replace them with PAC or PSI beehives...and better P/R too...good luck...

BTW - the blue were better but still only rated for stock cam...

NikolaiD · 11-01-2017, 03:00 PM

I have PAC springs in it, I'm curious about the GM springs. And if the stock cam has .551 lift, why are they using a spring that says "max .550 lift"? Am I over looking something there?

Russell James · 11-01-2017, 06:34 PM

They don't coil bind at 1 thou over the lift limit. Still plenty of thou's coil clearance. They even use them with the LS7 cam which with LS3 rockers will be at .558" Springs actually work best near coil bind, relatively near, not only a couple thou clearance. I.E. I wouldn't use .575" lift with those blues.

The blues are better than the yellow, the COPO motors go one step better and use the PSI beehive ML.

christianchevell · 11-01-2017, 06:39 PM

My blue springs went right into the scrap bin. And yes they are not rated at the stock bump sticks specs...... just a throw away unless you are desperate running like the ASA or other low lift cam.....525 lower..... and without a back up being beehive not that great for security of the upper valve train....

NikolaiD · 11-03-2017, 11:49 AM

Thanks, yeah, I looked at the actual travel with the rockers installed for bind and it seems like there's WAY more clearance then they're spec'd at, but I didn't want to take any chances.

And speaking of specs, I gotta give props to the GMPP heads... They advertise 10% more airflow and my AFRs went from 12.8 to 14.1 from 3000 rpm to redline... I wasn't expecting it to be right on the money.

christianchevell · 11-03-2017, 07:24 PM

Yes I generally think of beehives as being better for high revs yet mild cammed engines..... and being singles having to change them out like duals most likely a must for longevity from what I learned.

10-31-2017, 01:51 PM	#1
NikolaiD Drives: 2002 M3, LS3, TR6060 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 31	Factory Valve spring differences? I searched for a while now with no good info. What is the difference between the yellow and blue valve springs? The engine came with yellow springs, I just bought GMPP heads and they came with blue springs. I can find specs on the blue springs everywhere, but nothing on the yellow. The blue say "Outside Diameter: 1.290 in., Coil Bind Height: 1.220 in, Spring Rate: 375 lbs./in. I thought I found them years ago, but now they're nowhere. Are they the same, just different color? I recall seeing 375lbs./in on the yellow springs too, is that correct?

10-31-2017, 03:33 PM	#2
frankwjr Drives: 2010 SS 2SS M6 Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Smithsburg, Md. Posts: 2,445	Do your self a favor and replace them with PAC or PSI beehives...and better P/R too...good luck... BTW - the blue were better but still only rated for stock cam... __________________ 2010 SS 2SS M6 - Tune by RDP dynoSteve!(Woot) - Daily Driver - *150K!* - All work by me...

11-01-2017, 06:39 PM	#5
christianchevell old school chevy rodder Drives: 2021 zl1 a-10 WildCherry Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,622 View My Garage	My blue springs went right into the scrap bin. And yes they are not rated at the stock bump sticks specs...... just a throw away unless you are desperate running like the ASA or other low lift cam.....525 lower..... and without a back up being beehive not that great for security of the upper valve train.... __________________ 2021 Wild Cherry ZL1 A10, Sunroof, Data,Red Carbon Interior, Nav, RotoFab Big Gulp , Elite x2ultra, Borla ATAK, Driveshaft shop, BMR susp, Speed covers, intercoolers, ATI , 2650 MAG, DSX lid, 103 NW, TSP Longtubes & cats, LPE, 1le mods, ,LME cover, Katech pump and chain, Trunnions, BTR stage 2, LPE boostapump, Gforce, Speed eng , Granetteli, etc etc

11-03-2017, 11:49 AM	#6
NikolaiD Drives: 2002 M3, LS3, TR6060 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 31	Thanks, yeah, I looked at the actual travel with the rockers installed for bind and it seems like there's WAY more clearance then they're spec'd at, but I didn't want to take any chances. And speaking of specs, I gotta give props to the GMPP heads... They advertise 10% more airflow and my AFRs went from 12.8 to 14.1 from 3000 rpm to redline... I wasn't expecting it to be right on the money. Last edited by NikolaiD; 11-06-2017 at 11:10 AM.

11-03-2017, 07:24 PM	#7
christianchevell old school chevy rodder Drives: 2021 zl1 a-10 WildCherry Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,622 View My Garage	Yes I generally think of beehives as being better for high revs yet mild cammed engines..... and being singles having to change them out like duals most likely a must for longevity from what I learned. __________________ 2021 Wild Cherry ZL1 A10, Sunroof, Data,Red Carbon Interior, Nav, RotoFab Big Gulp , Elite x2ultra, Borla ATAK, Driveshaft shop, BMR susp, Speed covers, intercoolers, ATI , 2650 MAG, DSX lid, 103 NW, TSP Longtubes & cats, LPE, 1le mods, ,LME cover, Katech pump and chain, Trunnions, BTR stage 2, LPE boostapump, Gforce, Speed eng , Granetteli, etc etc

11-01-2017, 03:00 PM	#3
NikolaiD Drives: 2002 M3, LS3, TR6060 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 31	I have PAC springs in it, I'm curious about the GM springs. And if the stock cam has .551 lift, why are they using a spring that says "max .550 lift"? Am I over looking something there?

11-01-2017, 06:34 PM	#4
Russell James Drives: '15 SS 1LE, '69 Z28 drag car Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mich Posts: 4,482	They don't coil bind at 1 thou over the lift limit. Still plenty of thou's coil clearance. They even use them with the LS7 cam which with LS3 rockers will be at .558" Springs actually work best near coil bind, relatively near, not only a couple thou clearance. I.E. I wouldn't use .575" lift with those blues. The blues are better than the yellow, the COPO motors go one step better and use the PSI beehive ML.