Melling’s New GM LT Valve Spring Kit Supports Bigger Cams And More Power

Few upgrades wake up a modern GM V8 quite like a properly matched performance camshaft. Whether you’re looking to squeeze more horsepower out of an LT1-powered Camaro or want to give your 5.3-liter Silverado a little extra attitude, a cam swap is one of the most popular ways to get the job done. But here’s the thing: installing a bigger cam without addressing the factory valve springs can be a recipe for trouble.

That’s where Melling’s new VSK46697-LT valve spring kit comes into play. Designed for GM’s Gen V LT engine family, the kit provides the supporting valvetrain hardware needed when stepping up to a more aggressive camshaft.

Melling Makes Springs?

Now, we’ll forgive you if you’re one of those folks who still thinks of Melling Performance as strictly manufacturing industry-leading oil pumps. But these days, the company is that and so much more! Melling has some serious engineering and production capabilities, and one of the things it does extremely well is manufacture its own valve springs.

That’s right! Through Melling Performance Springs, the company designs, develops, manufactures, and tests high-performance valve springs. This isn’t simply a division repackaging another manufacturer’s products. It’s a dedicated spring manufacturing operation serving automotive OEMs, motorsports, and industrial applications.

Melling Performance Springs has substantial in-house engineering and manufacturing capabilities, including: CNC spring coiling and grinding, specialized spring materials, heat treatment and shot peening, advanced surface treatments, and engineering and testing. The company also produces conventional cylindrical springs alongside beehive, conical, dual, and triple-nested configurations.

More Cam = More Spring

Modern LT engines respond well to camshaft upgrades, but increased valve lift and aggressive lobe profiles place additional demands on the valvetrain. As engine speed climbs, the valve springs must maintain control of the valves, keeping everything working in harmony with the cam. When spring pressure isn’t sufficient for the application, valve float can become a problem. At best, that means leaving horsepower on the table. At worst, losing control of the valvetrain can result in expensive mechanical damage.

Melling designed its new VSK46697-LT kit with high-tension spring rates intended to accommodate increased lift, aggressive ramp rates, and higher-RPM operation. The springs are manufactured from premium alloys and heat-treated for improved strength, fatigue resistance, and consistent performance under demanding conditions. Melling also utilizes a super-finishing process on the springs, adding another manufacturing detail to a package intended for performance applications.

Everything You Need In One Box

Rather than leaving builders to piece together the supporting hardware, Melling packages the VSK46697-LT as a complete valvetrain upgrade.

Each kit includes:

What’s better? The kit is designed for most 2014–2026 GM 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter LT applications, including the LT1, LT8, L8P, L83, L84, L86, and L87 engines. That gives it relevance across a broad range of modern GM performance cars and trucks.

Whether you’re putting together a street-driven Camaro, upgrading a Silverado, or preparing an LT-powered race car, matching the valve springs to the camshaft is an important part of building a reliable combination. Melling’s new VSK46697-LT kit aims to simplify that process by providing the springs and supporting hardware together. And hey, while you’re at your local Melling dealer, pick up an industry-leading oil pump to round out your build!