Vortec cam and tune

cookseyb · Oct 25, 2016

I wouldn't but that is just me. If you are going to all the trouble and expense of installing a cam, with just a few more steps you could freshen the whole engine and be done with it. I do my own work so I hate TO REPEAT STEPS. You can get a tool from JEGS to do the valve guides yourself. get a good set of Crane springs, find a good machine shop and get a good 3 angle valve job. Get a rebuild kit from Northern Performance, take a coupla extra days and have a engine good for another 160,000. FWIW

slowburb · Oct 25, 2016

cookseyb said:
You can change the cam just be aware you are limites to about.500 lift without machining the valve guides. LT4 Hot Cam is a good start..

This is 100% WRONG. Not slightly, or occasionally, but ALWAYS, 100% WRONG. There are numerous trick valve spring setups that allow .550" valve lift without machining or grinding on the heads ever. These are drop in spring/retainer/lock setups that work perfectly fine.

The LT4 hot cam is really designed for a different induction system than the L31/vortec setup, and fares way better in a lighter vehicle than in a big heavy truck. The 2 piece L31 intake manifold becomes a major bottleneck for airflow above 5000 rpm, and the LT4 hot cam can make power up to 7000 rpm, so you'd be leaving a LOT of power potential on the table. This means there are more suitable cam profiles than this one given the combination of parts you're trying to make work together.

cookseyb · Oct 25, 2016

You are correct, But I have a mill and the tooling, I do it because it is cheaper for me and I'm not limited by spring diameter(I also open up the spring seats) and can run dual springs with dampers etc. For some reason i thought he was working on a LT1 when I suggested the hot cam. I prefer to use Howards Cams on SBC and they will help you select a cam for your needs as will others. Again that is just me. Sorry if I created some confusion.

Supercharged111 · Oct 29, 2016

I did the marine cam with 1.6s and had clearance, but where I gained clearance was by installing new valve seals and pounding them on until they stopped. I'd be interested in whatever drop in spring/retainer combo there is out there as I may drop in an LT1 cam once I'm boosted.

Jrgunn5150 · Oct 29, 2016

Supercharged111 said:
I did the marine cam with 1.6s and had clearance, but where I gained clearance was by installing new valve seals and pounding them on until they stopped. I'd be interested in whatever drop in spring/retainer combo there is out there as I may drop in an LT1 cam once I'm boosted.

This guy has a few options, http://www.alexsparts.com/categories/VALVE-SPRING-KITS/

slowburb · Oct 29, 2016

Yes that site sells quality stuff. I'm running the flat tappet vortec spring kit on my 395 cam with scorpion 1.6 roller rockers.

Mrich0908 · Nov 13, 2016

The money spent on machine work to just have a slightly better head just isnt worth it these days. I just went through this.
I spent 450-500$ on my Assault aluminum heads (dart pro1 aluminum knock offs) they are highly talked about by a few head porters and the third gen community loves them. Ive had no problems with mine .
Another 100 for comp cams stainless steel 2.02 1.6 valves , 70$ on LS9 beehive spings, 20 bucks on studs 40 on pushrods. Lap your valves no machine work
Point being for few more bucks you can have a head that will make great power and support future goals.
If your going to do heads and cam I would freshen your motor up . New bearing , dingle hone the cylinder rings pistons bearings. Make your foundation strong before you build your house.

Vortec cam and tune

cookseyb

Newbie

slowburb

all motor

cookseyb

Newbie

Supercharged111

Truly Awesome

Jrgunn5150

Enjoying tomorrow's success today

slowburb

all motor

Mrich0908

Pshhhhttttt!

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