How bad could it be - Broken valve spring

I've been looking at a somewhat aggressive head/cam combo for the last few months and the only thing I can't get a real estimate on is how long the valve springs will likely last.
No manufacturer or vendor will even hazzard a guess, I've tried telling them how I drive and my entire set up and asking for a range. I've literally said, "will they last closer to 5000miles or 50,000 miles?" The only response I ever get is "they should last a while" ... That is NOT an answer, what is a while? - Comp cams rep just said, "a while is a while, our valve springs will last a while" :screwy:


So having no idea how long they will last I must ask....How bad would it be if I broke a valve spring while going down the 1/4 mile strip? I'm assuming it would be a disaster (rebuild time)....am I wrong?

It just depends on how bad the break was and where the debris goes. Typicaly when you break a spring you loose that valve which that cylinder will misfire and car will run like poo, i mean it wont destroy the end.
No one will give you a "guestimate" because then they will be liable if it breaks. Just invest in a good set when you do the head/cam swap and you should be fine just ensure you set the lash correctly and dont miss a shift.
J

^^This.

I think the reason you're not getting an answer to your spring question from these guys is because its kinda an odd question to ask. Why are you so concerned about how long the valve spring will last?? its not a real common concern or failure area.
Just get a good set of springs and you'll be fine

One of the bigger cam companies...can't remember exactly which one or I would post the name...gave me a recommendation that basically said. "For mildly to wildly aggressive set ups, such as what you have described to us when asking for a cam recommendation" we also recommend running the best valve spring you can afford and checking/changing them at regular intervals, as set ups such as the one you are considering can can significant stress and wear on even the best valve springs, though not as excessively as some of our "race only" cam shafts.

if the spring breaks wont the valve hit the piston? isnt that usualy the kiss of death for a motor?

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Originally Posted by V8MUSCLE

if the spring breaks wont the valve hit the piston? isnt that usualy the kiss of death for a motor?

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depends on the type of breake..but if you get a pretty good break and have spring failure yes you can kiss the piston..but it isnt the kiss of death for the whole motor. just that cylinder.

I've heard numbers like 20-25k miles thrown around for springs on a decent cam although I can't vouche for those....just what I've heard in the past. I would imagine the lobe profile itself would play a huge roll in the wear and tear on the spring and that's why you never get a solid answer. I wouldn't worry about it too much....just put some good springs in there and drive it.