hey guys i have 1 question.........
i have a stock 85 Gn, and i was thinking bout replacing my valve springs
i was wondering if some1 had any reccomendations on who makes a good valve spring for that car
i have hear pros and cons about alot of brands
and i was wondering if someone could maybe give me a little advice from there experiences using them
i know its probly a cheesy question, but its better to ask a Gn owner then sum guys behind a counter at a store
thanx alot
brian
xxninja@aol.com
For stock replacement the Comp cams 979 is the ticket. Use them with the origional bottom cups and you're good to go. If you cannot locate a set many guys have used the 980s as well, but they are a little stiffer and may not be "plug and play" I believe that you will not want to use the bottom cups with them, but have not personally checked a set for seat pressure at installed height, so would recommend that you check that out before using the bottom cups with them. Many guys use the old style LT 1 chevy springs, but the problem with them is that there must be 25 different versions available and you may get a set that has too much seat pressure and will wipe your camshaft :^( unless you check the installed height on them and make sure it is not too much seat pressure for the Buick.
Dwight Hayden
The "LT1" springs part number is on the web site and check out to be approx. 100-105 lbs of seat pressure. Good for an upgraded cam.
http://www.gnttype.org/numbers/8687pn.html
Part number: 3927142
The "LT1" spring was listed in the Buick Motorsports catalog as the first step upgrade in valve springs.
To clarify --
I was referring to the aftermarket LT1 springs. There are more varieties of them than you can shake a stick at. Seems everybody who make springs has their version. Along with their own pressure rating.
I'm sure if you use the GM Pn# spring Ken mentions that you will have no problems. Just don't recommend cross referencing it to a "Joes springs "n" things" catalog :^)
Ken, when using the GM 3927142 do you still keep the bottom cup from the stock spring or discard it?
Good advice Dwight ... The LT1, LT-1, L-T1, monicker is a horrible way to refer to the GM springs.
Maybe we should call them Buick Stage 1 springs
With the GM springs, you discard the cup. They are double springs (an inner and an outer).
The problem (back to my rant) with the "LT1" label is that the LT1 is different than the mid90s "LT-1". Different animals ... the "old" 70s Corvette LT1 used a hydraulic flat tappet cam, while the newer LT-1 in F-bodies, Impalas, and Corvettes used a roller.
SO.. maybe we call them "Stage I GM springs"?
Better yet, get them from a friendly neighborhood Buick Vendor, and they will make sure that you get the right ones. That way you don't have to guess if you've got the right ones.
Brian
at johns performance they stock 100 lb springs for $45 i put them in my 84 engine that i rebuilt