93Rubie
Well-known member
A little back ground, this past summer I resurrected a 87 Buick Grand National from basically a, no-start then magically did one day to running like it should. Car basically has sat for the good part of the last decade more or less. Neglected to say the least, lots of BAD on this car, even 1 year old NEW parts, junk, FYI, your parts store fuel pumps may fit a 87 Grand National does not mean you will have adequate fuel output, go Walbro 255L/Hr. no problems....anyhow the one final last straw in this car was a new set of valve springs. I spoke to a expert on these cars (Steve Wood, he knows these cars) and based on what it was doing I replaced the valve springs. He said they where only good for 60K or so. This car has about 70K. The new springs brought the car to life, rev'ev up faster and did not loose its breath at high RPM.
That experience got me thinking, my Corvette is 19 years old with 57K on her. No issues with the car when I parked it for the winter running wise. Really no NEED to replace them, but would it be a good idea? Valve float is never good and I do run the car as intended. Are these LT1 springs much better than the 3.8L springs and can go longer? Or just leave what is NOT broke alone and don't worry about it??? What do you think????
FYI, a popular upgrade for Buick Turbo 3.8L is LT1 springs. LT1 springs does not have a lot of seat pressure but more than good 3.8L springs do, they are light even new.
If I do replace I would think since I'm stock, stock springs will be fine. What about replacing the locks and retainers? I did not do this on the Buick, no reason to. Valve seals make sense if I'm in there. I did them on the Buick, it only had them on in intakes, FYI.
That experience got me thinking, my Corvette is 19 years old with 57K on her. No issues with the car when I parked it for the winter running wise. Really no NEED to replace them, but would it be a good idea? Valve float is never good and I do run the car as intended. Are these LT1 springs much better than the 3.8L springs and can go longer? Or just leave what is NOT broke alone and don't worry about it??? What do you think????
FYI, a popular upgrade for Buick Turbo 3.8L is LT1 springs. LT1 springs does not have a lot of seat pressure but more than good 3.8L springs do, they are light even new.
If I do replace I would think since I'm stock, stock springs will be fine. What about replacing the locks and retainers? I did not do this on the Buick, no reason to. Valve seals make sense if I'm in there. I did them on the Buick, it only had them on in intakes, FYI.