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HEI spring/wieght question... can I mix and match?

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Old 11-23-2000, 07:52 AM
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Car: 2002 SOM z28
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T-56
HEI spring/wieght question... can I mix and match?

I got a HEI weight set. It comes with 3 types of springs and a pair of weights. Are those weights the same as stock? I think I have the white springs in there now (stiff). The blue (sort of if you look at them through blue sunglasses) springs are listed to give 15 degrees of advance, while the red springs give about 22 (which comes on @2500 rpms). Can I mix 1 red and 1 blue spring, or do I need to use either the red or the blue?

I think I remember reading in Damon's article to only use the blue springs... best ones?

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1984 z28 w/ a 357 cu in. monster engine which is looking like the posterchild for Edelbrock... all the suspension stuff... 9-bolt posi disk is in... K&N filter... 93 octane...

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Old 11-23-2000, 10:28 AM
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Bio,

I've mixed advance weightws and springs on distributors to tailor the curve to the engine. As far as I know, this is a standard, acceptable practice.

You only have to realize that the curve will be a "hybrid" of the curves of the two different weights and springs, and that not all weights and springs have their maximum and intermediate advance specs at the same RPM points in the curve.

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Old 11-23-2000, 10:49 AM
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If your OEM weights are in good shape, use them. I replaced mine with the Mr Gasket set and the weights are wearing, they seem to be made of an inferior grade of steel or not heat treated. Also, make sure your vac advance cannister is not leaking.
Old 11-23-2000, 12:38 PM
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Car: 2002 SOM z28
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T-56
This is a new HEI with vacuum advance, so the advance canister is new... so are the weights so I left them in there. I replaced the springs with the blue ones, but I may replace one with a red spring.

Thanks guys...
Old 11-23-2000, 02:18 PM
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On that Note, can you Recurve a Computer Controlled HEI ?




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Old 11-23-2000, 03:27 PM
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Yeah, you can recurve a computer controlled HEI......With a custom chip! That's the route I plan to go when I drop the Monster in my car.

I believe you can get different weight's too. A heavier weight I would think, would tend to fly out faster (Advance) similar to a weaker spring. I haven't messed with any of that stuff for quite a while!


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Old 11-23-2000, 03:43 PM
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Bort, Notice he said he has a vacuum diaphram and weights/springs. That means he does not have the computer controlled Distributer like you are thinking. Yours do not have that, therefore a computer chip is needed to change your timing curve.

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Old 11-23-2000, 05:35 PM
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Car: 2002 SOM z28
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Transmission: T-56
No, I am bypassing the computer. I got tired of doing battle with it every time I needed to tune my carb! The computer controls the timeing when it is hooked up (non-vacuum HEI), but I have heard that the chips do very little for performance on carb applications.

Beware, I got a Hypertech Stage II chip that threw up a code after a few minutes because it was looking for a knock sensor that was never there... Ya need one?

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1984 z28 w/ a 357 cu in. monster engine which is looking like the posterchild for Edelbrock... all the suspension stuff... 9-bolt posi disk is in... K&N filter... 93 octane...

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Old 11-23-2000, 09:45 PM
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GMtech, I mean can I recurve MY comp controlled HEI


I have no vaccum advance canister...




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