Springs and cam help

[OneQuickV6]

I have decided to go ahead and put an aftermarket cam in my car! I do need a little help though. First, the guys that will be doing my install wanted to know if the ls6 springs could be used? If they are the right size and all, I can get them CHEAP right now, and they handle a very solid .520" list no problems from what they said. Next, I want a pretty agresive cam, but not so mean that it won't idle for crap. Lopey is good, but surging to the point of dying. I'd like some opinions on specs. it's a 2000 3.8L. and I'd like to go with a comp cam custom gring from what I've read on here thus far.

Mods include: FTRA, Whisper lid, cutout, 180* stat, manual fans, NX 100 wet shot, 3.42 and lsd, and soon centerfoce clutch. Thanks for any and all help, if anyone knows the answer to the ls6 springs, thanks even more!

[ October 29, 2002: Message edited by: OneQuickV6 ]</p>

[pgriffith]

I bought some heads from supersixmotorsports and Tom the guy that sold them to me says my heads have Compcam's Valvesprings that were made for the LS1, i believe they still use stock style retainers and locks. So ;yes I think the LS6 springs if they are anything like the LS1 will work.

Comp is out of cam cores for our cars so we wait...................Some of us have been waiting for a long time.

[navyblue2000]

no doubt you can use the stock springs off an LS1 or LS6. I'm sure they have higher tolerances than the V6's do.
Lunati has very well priced ones as well
SLP has them for a good price.

[viper98885]

Manley makes good springs for the LS1 too...you can also get titanium ones from them too.

[jonny985]

Do LS1 springs require milling to get them to fit?

Tom does milling at SSM to get his springs to fit.

It would be sweet if we could just exchange springs with LS1 springs with no mods.

[Magnus]

You can just run ls1 springs no prob. The milling is done on the valve seal pedastals to prevent them from being crushed with higher lift cams.

[AZ3.8Camaro]

How much lift can an LS1 spring take?

[Magnus]

depends on the spring.

Most guys go with CC 918's.

[OneQuickV6]

Great so far guys! Looks like the LS6 springs for me then. What about some cam specs. Of all the stuff I know about cars, cam specs and what makes for more power is NOT my specialty. Keep them coming.

[scottblack]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by OneQuickV6:
Great so far guys! Looks like the LS6 springs for me then. What about some cam specs. Of all the stuff I know about cars, cam specs and what makes for more power is NOT my specialty. Keep them coming.<hr></blockquote>

You better check the amount of lift that your cam has and make sure the springs will hold that amount. Just because they are LS6 springs does not necessarily mean that they will hold the amt of lift that you have.

Scott

[viper98885]

The Manley springs are good UP TO a .600" lift cam.

Also, I have a few sets of stock LS1 springs here if anyone needs a few for test purposes.

[OneQuickV6]

Thanks Scott...but I don't have any idea what cam I am getting yet. I am still needing recomendations for that. If the LS^ springs won't hold up to the lift that you all recomend, I have no problem using the Manleys or whatever instead. Thanks.

[jonny985]

Whats the concensus on using stock retainers and keepers with stronger springs?

[Zooomer]

To run with LS1 or LS6 spings you have to have the LS1 retainers. After that it works fine but the LS1 springs aren't any stiffer and won't support any more lift on our heads. You should get the LS6's they are nice.

With lifts around .505 you will hit the seal so I would keep cams around .515 tops unless you get head work.

[slacker69]

the cam i will probably go with is this spec

206°/218° at .050"
Intake Lift (.503" lift at 1.6:1 rocker ratio)
Exhaust Lift (.515" lift at 1.6:1 rocker ratio)
113 Lobe Separation