Cam Setup For L31 350 Vortec

[TStowell]

Hi im going to cam my 1996 c1500 pickup thats got a L31 in it i was wondering if anyone knew if the current valvetrain upgrades im looking at would work and to see what builds other people have done for there cam/valvetrain. (Im already swapping to an 0411 ECU to get it retuned and am wanting an agressive but at least somewhat streetable build.)

Current Parts Im looking At
Cam- https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-08-423-8
Rocker Arms- https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-1417-16
Rocker Arm Nuts- https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-4604-16
Valve Springs- https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-26918vcs-kit
Timing Gears https://www.summitracing.com/parts/clo-9-1157

 

[Schurkey]

1. Rethink the $228.95 roller-tip rocker arms.
2. Rethink the $57.95 rocker arm nuts.
3. Fair chance you'll need different pushrods.
4. Expect to rework your heads for the added lift.
5. Might as well cram new valve stem seals on the valves.
6. Moderate chance you WON'T need a different timing set. Consider checking timing-chain slop before you pull the engine apart.
7. I'm assuming you've verified that those valve springs are suitable for that cam.
8. Probably want to take your lifters apart ONE AT A TIME for cleaning and inspection.
9. Verify the gear at the bottom of your distributor.

Going to a proper roller rocker makes some sense, and they'll ship with the rocker nuts.
www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-1617-16

COMP Cams 1617-16 COMP Cams Ultra Pro Magnum Rocker Arms | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - COMP Cams Ultra Pro Magnum Rocker Arms with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Rocker Arms at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

When it was me, I upgraded to 7/16 rocker studs...but my heads have screw-in studs which makes that easy. Vortec heads are probably going to have to stay with stock studs.

 

[TStowell]

Those are all really good ideas I didn't think about just as a guess do you think it could be anything extreme that would need to be done to the heads or just slight clearancing? Also I've seen a bunch of different ways to check if I need new pushrods what would you recommend to check it?

 

[Schurkey]

I expect the valve guides will need to be cut down to gain clearance between the seal and the retainer. MAYBE the retainers you're getting have additional clearance.

Pushrods are the last thing you buy to complete a long-block, because there's two dozen things that can affect needed pushrod length. Get an adjustable pushrod, and check the length required to make the most-narrow pattern on the valve tip. The pattern can be somewhat off-center provided it doesn't go over the valve tip edge. Make sure that you and your pushrod checking tool are measuring the pushrod length the same way the pushrod supplier measures them--there's AT LEAST three ways to measure pushrod length, and they all come up with different lengths by several thousandths of an inch.

One of many choices:
www.summitracing.com/parts/tfs-9501

Trick Flow Specialties TFS-9501 Trick Flow® Pro Calibrated Adjustable Pushrod Length Checkers | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Trick Flow® Pro Calibrated Adjustable Pushrod Length Checkers with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Pushrod Length Checkers at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[TStowell]

Last question what would be the difference between the rocker arms had the ones you have?

 

[L31MaxExpress]

Last question what would be the difference between the rocker arms had the ones you have?

Pivot ball vs full roller. The biggest friction and wear reduction is in the pivot balls. Those junk pivot ball gimmick roller tip garbage are not worth running.

 

[Erik the Awful]

Either go full roller or stick with stamped rockers. I know that L31MaxExpress and I differ on this, but if the engine's not getting revved over 5000 rpm regularly, I see no advantage to rollers, especially for the price. What's the purpose of the truck? If you're building it for racing, then go for full rollers. Otherwise save three hundred bucks and stick with stamped long-slots.

Most rockers come with nuts. Check before you go spending more money on them.

 

[drifterwanb666]

ill say when i did my cam, (tho i did an "RV cam")
i knew i would be in here again, thus i went full roller rockers, beehive springs, got custom pushrods, and of course anytime youre there do the timing chain. im also pushing this engine above 5k rpm all the time, my transmission is built for that too. i also reccomend new lifters, IMO.

im not tryna brag, but give you an idea. with that kinda lift you want to figure out what you want you rocker ratio to be, if you go full roller.

 

[rebelyell]

Hi im going to cam my 1996 c1500 pickup thats got a L31 in it i was wondering if anyone knew if the current valvetrain upgrades im looking at would work and to see what builds other people have done for there cam/valvetrain. (Im already swapping to an 0411 ECU to get it retuned and am wanting an agressive but at least somewhat streetable build.)

Current Parts Im looking At
Cam- https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-08-423-8
Rocker Arms- https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-1417-16
Rocker Arm Nuts- https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-4604-16
Valve Springs- https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-26918vcs-kit
Timing Gears https://www.summitracing.com/parts/clo-9-1157

I'm a newbie here but not to mechanics & not to L31 builds.

If that spring+retainer kit has metric retainers, suggest you check your valve stem diameters.
L31 valve stems are typically 11/32" OD (Not 8mm like LS motors have)
Retainers for 8mm stems will never work on 11/32" stems; nor vice versa.
JMO: comp is not the be all, end all in valvetrain parts n pieces.
If ya want 8mm stems, Competition Products did sell a conversion kit with guide liners (requires machine shop work) but I wouldn't bother unless truly racing. never mind.

Also, before you unnecessarily spend that much$ on a roller like that $520 + cast iron piece from comp, suggest you look at these summit house brand rollers that are all USA billet steel and all under $280. Note: They DO require a simple Melonized steel gear on Your distributor.
https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/camshafts/product-line/summit-racing-pro-sbc-camshafts Look at 8801 or 8802

Also, ya don't need a double row timing set; a heavy duty 1/2" pitch single row is more than sufficient and does not require any block grinding for clearance (like many doubles do). That Cloyes you've picked is a good choice.

Also, I question the Need for any sort of roller rocker in a build such as this seems to be heading; certainly not $400-$500 RAs. Quality yes, bells & whistles no.

 

[TStowell]

Im not sure if this thread is dead but after looking at all the recommendations my updated list of parts is.

Cam: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-8802
Valve Springs:https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-26918vcs-kit?rrec=true (Includes new valve seals and retainers and Caps)
Rocker Arms: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-1617-16
Timing Chain: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/clo-9-1157 (Replacing for extra timing control and to just replace to that way i know its 100% AOK)
Pushrods: Use Length Checker and order once the valve-train/cam is in