Valve Springs With New Cam - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Camaro23$$ · 11-11-2021, 11:09 PM

Hello everyone, new here! I am about to purchase a 2012 Camaro SS tomorrow. I have been test driving it for a few days and love it!

Anyways it has a GPI SS1 cam installed in it. The current owner basically redid most of the top end to make it as reliable as possible. Including putting in heavier duty valve springs. I was reading a post on here about needing to change the valve springs every 25K miles if you had a cam in your motor.

Since these were upgraded to the higher end heavy duty springs and such does it still need new ones changed that often if at all? Or am I good to go?

If your curious what springs they are… They are the Brian Tooley Racing -.660’’ lift platinum valve spring kit. Thanks in advance!

Rmkuper · 11-11-2021, 11:15 PM

Thats a fairly mild CAM and BRT is a good upgrade. You should be G2G as far as the springs. I would ask if he upgraded the trinunons tho. Those are known fail.

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Camaro23$$ · 11-11-2021, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rmkuper

Thats a fairly mild CAM and BRT is a good upgrade. You should be G2G as far as the springs. I would ask if he upgraded the trinunons tho. Those are known fail.

Sent from my SM-F916U using Tapatalk

Yes he upgraded the Trunnion, crank bolt, valley cover, lifter trays, pushrods, phase limiter, lifters and head gasket along with the cam. Seems he did what needed to be done. But just wanted to make sure!

Thank you. Happy I’m not going to have to be replacing the valve springs!

InFiD3ViL · 11-11-2021, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rmkuper

Thats a fairly mild CAM and BRT is a good upgrade. You should be G2G as far as the springs. I would ask if he upgraded the trinunons tho. Those are known fail.

Sent from my SM-F916U using Tapatalk

In regards to valve lift, GPI's VVT cams are all the same whether it's a VVT1 or VVT4. They are all at .637" lift, just differ in duration and overlap. GPI's cams tend to run higher lift than other competitors cam stages.

But otherwise, yeah...he should be good to go with dual .660 springs, as long as they don't have 20k+ miles on them.

Aqua Blue RS/SS · 11-12-2021, 06:59 AM

I would definitely change springs every 20-25K cheap insurance in the long run. Going to heavier duty springs is standard procedure when you change to a bigger cam.

1JEWLDSSRS · 11-12-2021, 07:47 AM

As said above, you will be good on the springs, those are what most of us run in our engines. And yea it sounds like he has done everything needed for a good build. And again as mentioned with these higher lift cams, you will want to refresh the springs around 20-23k miles as they do take quite a beating, also I didn't see where you mentioned if he did an aftermarket oil pump or not. Not really needed with an L99 I have read as the stock one is better than the LS3 pumps, but it is good insurance to have.

Greenhornet2 · 11-12-2021, 10:59 AM

over .600 lift you should be replacing the springs periodically. 25k rule of thumb but mileage will vary.

Chris49066SS · 11-12-2021, 02:19 PM

I am at 21k with the SS4 cam and BTR.660 springs. I have a set of fresh PAC 1222X .700 springs in the box just waiting. Called James at GPI today so we can get em in along with a slew of other little mods

TheFlyingBananaSS · 11-12-2021, 08:59 PM

As mentioned earlier GPI makes a killer high lift cam. Your stage 1 is basically the same as other vendors stage 2. Definitely follow the leader on this and change them as needed. It's worth it.

Camaro23$$ · 11-12-2021, 09:57 PM

Ok so most are saying to change the springs anyways even if they were upgraded? Is it a hard job on your own or something to have a shop do. I’ve tinkered but not with this style of motor. I went ahead with the purchase of the vehicle today! Its all mine. She’s a beast for sure. Was hoping I wouldn’t have this as something I need to do as there isn’t a lot of good shops around me that I would trust with it.

I appreciate the info everyone. All new to me. Only ever had older Camaros.

InFiD3ViL · 11-12-2021, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camaro23$$

Ok so most are saying to change the springs anyways even if they were upgraded? Is it a hard job on your own or something to have a shop do. I’ve tinkered but not with this style of motor. I went ahead with the purchase of the vehicle today! Its all mine. She’s a beast for sure. Was hoping I wouldn’t have this as something I need to do as there isn’t a lot of good shops around me that I would trust with it.

I appreciate the info everyone. All new to me. Only ever had older Camaros.

I would replace the springs unless you are 100% certain about how many miles are on them. If you have no idea of the mileage then swap them out. Just remember that they are a maintenance item and will need replacement every 20-25k miles. They are a much stiffer spring than the stock springs and add to that the higher lift due to the cam, so they will wear or fatigue sooner. So to answer your question...the stiffer upgraded springs were required due to your high lift cam. But even though they are 'heavy duty' springs, the increased stiffness along with the much higher lift cam will cause the springs to wear much faster than OEM.

Swapping them out is not hard at all, but if you are not experienced with this type of engine you may be better off paying someone to do it for you. It's not a difficult job, but it's absolutely crucial that it's done correctly.

Camaro23$$ · 11-12-2021, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

As said above, you will be good on the springs, those are what most of us run in our engines. And yea it sounds like he has done everything needed for a good build. And again as mentioned with these higher lift cams, you will want to refresh the springs around 20-23k miles as they do take quite a beating, also I didn't see where you mentioned if he did an aftermarket oil pump or not. Not really needed with an L99 I have read as the stock one is better than the LS3 pumps, but it is good insurance to have.

Ya he never mentioned to me about an oil pump upgrade so I’m sure its not. Guess I’m going to have to find a shop around my area. I don’t know any that I would trust. Unless the springs are not a bad job? Maybe I can do it?

Camaro23$$ · 11-12-2021, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InFiD3ViL

I would replace the springs unless you are 100% certain about how many miles are on them. If you have no idea of the mileage then swap them out. Just remember that they are a maintenance item and will need replacement every 20-25k miles.

Swapping them out is not hard at all, but if you are not experienced with this type of engine you may be better off paying someone to do it for you.

Ok, I think there is about 15K on the current ones. He’s owned the car for 15K miles and said he did stuff pretty shortly after buying it. So that’s what I would assume.

Again I’ve worked on a lot of stuff. Just not this motor. I definitely dont want to mess it up though. I appreciate it.

Camaro23$$ · 11-12-2021, 10:17 PM

Any other maintenance I should worry about and do with this car? Thanks everyone!

11-11-2021, 11:09 PM	#1
Camaro23$$ Drives: 2013 ZL1 & 2012 2SS Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Loon Lake Posts: 71	Valve Springs With New Cam Hello everyone, new here! I am about to purchase a 2012 Camaro SS tomorrow. I have been test driving it for a few days and love it! Anyways it has a GPI SS1 cam installed in it. The current owner basically redid most of the top end to make it as reliable as possible. Including putting in heavier duty valve springs. I was reading a post on here about needing to change the valve springs every 25K miles if you had a cam in your motor. Since these were upgraded to the higher end heavy duty springs and such does it still need new ones changed that often if at all? Or am I good to go? If your curious what springs they are… They are the Brian Tooley Racing -.660’’ lift platinum valve spring kit. Thanks in advance!

11-12-2021, 06:59 AM	#5
Aqua Blue RS/SS Drives: ABM #93 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Lotaburger Posts: 2,695	I would definitely change springs every 20-25K cheap insurance in the long run. Going to heavier duty springs is standard procedure when you change to a bigger cam. __________________ ABM #2399 2SS/RS:SOLD ABM #93 2SS/RS Black Rally stripes, Titanium Interior 4,000 miles: GM GFX side skirts and diffuser waiting on paint, GM dovetail, GM heritage, RPI ZL1 style splitter. ‘87 IROC-Z Iroc blue. all original unmolested with 50K miles.

11-12-2021, 07:47 AM	#6
1JEWLDSSRS Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 11,442	As said above, you will be good on the springs, those are what most of us run in our engines. And yea it sounds like he has done everything needed for a good build. And again as mentioned with these higher lift cams, you will want to refresh the springs around 20-23k miles as they do take quite a beating, also I didn't see where you mentioned if he did an aftermarket oil pump or not. Not really needed with an L99 I have read as the stock one is better than the LS3 pumps, but it is good insurance to have. __________________ TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.

11-12-2021, 10:59 AM	#7
Greenhornet2 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS LS3 Whipple Join Date: May 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,925	over .600 lift you should be replacing the springs periodically. 25k rule of thumb but mileage will vary. __________________ Whipple 2.9 CAI ID1050x injectors ZL1 Pump JRE FPCM JMS Voltage booster JRE Rough Idle blower cam BTR .660 springs CHE trunnion kit 1 7/8 Speed Engineering Borla Atak JRE scoop 1.5" lowering springs BMR trailing arms and toe links Cradle inserts 704WHP 603WTQ 93 octane

11-12-2021, 02:19 PM	#8
Chris49066SS Drives: 2010 SS L99 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,634	I am at 21k with the SS4 cam and BTR.660 springs. I have a set of fresh PAC 1222X .700 springs in the box just waiting. Called James at GPI today so we can get em in along with a slew of other little mods __________________ Previous PB:11.079 @ 122.99mph.. New setup time: TBD The 11.079 pass: https://youtu.be/pz27Zq54t_E Build thread - www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=555371

11-11-2021, 11:15 PM	#2
Rmkuper Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Newburgh Posts: 164	Thats a fairly mild CAM and BRT is a good upgrade. You should be G2G as far as the springs. I would ask if he upgraded the trinunons tho. Those are known fail. Sent from my SM-F916U using Tapatalk

11-12-2021, 08:59 PM	#9
TheFlyingBananaSS Evil Genius of Chevrolet Drives: 2017 Z06, 2019 XTS, 2013 SS Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: New York Posts: 3,260	As mentioned earlier GPI makes a killer high lift cam. Your stage 1 is basically the same as other vendors stage 2. Definitely follow the leader on this and change them as needed. It's worth it. __________________ GPI SS2 VVT cam, ECS Novi 1500 supercharger, Corsa Extreme, Detroit Speed and BMR suspension, Circle D triple disc, Melling oil pump, LS2 chain tensioner, ATI 10% UD, DSX E85 kit, High Energy coils, BTR springs, LS2 Lifter trays, Titanium retainers, hardened push rods, FIC 1000 injectors, ZL1 pump, Mighty Mouse catch can, AEM gauges, Tial BOV, Richmond 3.91 gears, Custom gauge bezels, Speed Engineering headers, Stainless Works HF cats, DSX Aux pump, 710rwhp on E85.

11-12-2021, 09:57 PM	#10
Camaro23$$ Drives: 2013 ZL1 & 2012 2SS Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Loon Lake Posts: 71	Ok so most are saying to change the springs anyways even if they were upgraded? Is it a hard job on your own or something to have a shop do. I’ve tinkered but not with this style of motor. I went ahead with the purchase of the vehicle today! Its all mine. She’s a beast for sure. Was hoping I wouldn’t have this as something I need to do as there isn’t a lot of good shops around me that I would trust with it. I appreciate the info everyone. All new to me. Only ever had older Camaros.

11-12-2021, 10:17 PM	#14
Camaro23$$ Drives: 2013 ZL1 & 2012 2SS Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Loon Lake Posts: 71	Any other maintenance I should worry about and do with this car? Thanks everyone!