melfice_mx Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 I'm saving money to complete my vortec head swap for an 1988 350 in my 280z, i bouth an COMP Cams CL12-238-2 cam and i'm now looking for some cheap vortec heads(1996+) at local junkyards but was reading online that stock vortec heads are only good for up to .450 lift.. would the cam i bought work with no other mods? also i'm using block hugger headers with my current heads.. will they fit good? sorry about the questions but i just want to buy the right parts and build it as best as i can with a tight budget here in Tijuana mexico.... Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 (edited) youll be pushing or at, the clearance limits of the stock valve springs, with that cam lift on most stock vortec heads. their are retainers and springs you can swap to that allow a .500 lift rather easily or you can buy heads already modified with the springs installed from several sources, and Im sure youll find people on the net who say they are running that cam with the stock heads that report having no problems, simply because many guys figure that if the engine spins with a breaker bar, after a cam install without binding your free/clear, but that's not really a reliable test route. BTW remember the stock first sbc gen I intakes and rockers and valve covers won,t work, be sure to get the vortec parts at the salvage yard, http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=401&p=6078&hilit=+vortec#p6078 http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=181 Edited May 31, 2010 by grumpyvette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melfice_mx Posted May 31, 2010 Author Share Posted May 31, 2010 youll be pushing or at, the clearance limits of the stock valve springs, with that cam lift on most stock vortec heads. their are retainers and springs you can swap to that allow a .500 lift rather easily or you can buy heads already modified with the springs installed from several sources, and Im sure youll find people on the net who say they are running that cam with the stock heads that report having no problems, simply because many guys figure that if the engine spins with a breaker bar, after a cam install without binding your free/clear, but that's not really a reliable test route. BTW remember the stock first sbc gen I intakes and rockers and valve covers won,t work, be sure to get the vortec parts at the salvage yard, http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=401&p=6078&hilit=+vortec#p6078 http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=181 Thank you for your answer!!! i already have the intake manifold and looking for some valve covers for the heads... any retainers and springs you would recommend? Thank you again i will make sure i post some videos of the Z on the track here in tijuana once i get it running good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melfice_mx Posted June 1, 2010 Author Share Posted June 1, 2010 Thank you for your answer!!! i already have the intake manifold and looking for some valve covers for the heads... any retainers and springs you would recommend? Thank you again i will make sure i post some videos of the Z on the track here in tijuana once i get it running good Another question.... do the springs and retainers from a regular sbc 350 head fit? What about those ones? http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-174000/ Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/vortec_valve_spring_upgrade/index.html http://carcraft.automotive.com/9794/vortec-valve-spring-upgrade/index.html might help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1 Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 Grumpy's links give some great info. A good plan is to check the comp catalog, see which springs they recommend for your cam, check the spring section and see what the spring specs are for seat pressure and rate, then choose a spring that dimensionally works on your heads that meet the requirements. As long as you meet the seat pressure and rate requirements, don't coil bind it or hit the retainers you're good to go. jt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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