How To Run More Lift With Vortec Heads

Thank you very much

What should I do to make vortec heads handle 640 lift

Ls6 valve springs are also found in 3800 series 99+ gm cars. 😉 I can get them from junknyards. The cars don’t run high light or Rpm’s so the springs are excellent shape especially on the cheap

I got a Howard’s cam for free with .507/.495 lift, would this setup be enough for the cam?

Old video but great content so thought I'd take a shot and see if it's still monitored. My son's new motor is similar, .495 lift with Vortec heads, it was too much for our spring setup. Heading to Summit today to try this route but here's my question: his current springs have a "shim" or washer at the bottom between the spring and the head surface. Should this "shim" be retained or should the spring sit right on the surface of the head?

Every video I watch claims a different lift for Vortec heads.

Subcribed. I am going with a summit 8803 cam in my 97 c1500 350 vortec and you explained in 1 video not only the parts needed for max possible lift but part names and numbers. This would work with an lt4 hotcam also but the summit 8803 is 1/2 the price and stall sound is as good if not better.

Are you doing this on a flat tappet cam. If so are going to have cam break in issues?

And the keepers .u don't say on the vid.i know there off set?

What is the retainer number

can you use factory rocker arms with the ls1 valve spring setup you used ?

so how much lift can you even run with the springs and stuff you installed now ?!

What’s the best lift to run on a l31 98 motor I got outta Silverado 1500 I’m putting it in my cutlass 1984 as we speak I’m looking for a cam not sure what direction to start in

Just scored a set of vortex heads. I cannot find any markings on these heads. Not sure if they were removed or maybe these are some type of aftermarket heads. Any suggestions. 2.02 /1.60, screw in studs, springs with damper. Feels like a deal. Please advise.

.475" lift on stock vortec heads.

at what pounds are the valve specs at?

What's the max lift on this combo? I'm looking to run .500 lift

Also, did you replace studs with screw in? Thanks Again

those retainers look tapered down? if so, is that so self alighning rockers do not contact retainer top surface? Thanks Lou

What locks sould you run with this

Thanks for this.

so are you guys just swapping to the 787-16 retainers and re-using the factory vortec retainer locks?? I mean this video doesnt mention ANYTHING about swapping out the locks so I assume you are just popping out your springs, tossing in new oem vortec seals...then tossing in the ls6 springs and 787-16 retainers and away you go...

I recently purchased a 96 c 1500 with a 5.0 vortec. I will be changing the intake manifold gasket as it is leaking coolant. While replacing the gasket I will swap the cam. Will the ls6 springs work on the 5.0 vortec heads? looking to get about 490ish lift.

Can you run roller rockers with your combination? How much compression max with the set up?

So I’m not a super motorhead at all. But I was looking to put a comp cam thumpr or mutha thumpr in my truck. You mentioned something about machining valves and I was hoping to keep everything on the bottom end of the head stock without doing any machine work. Is that possible? Thanks

What's the biggest cam i can run on a completely stock vortec head????

DID ALL THAT AND LEFT THE SHITTY PRESS IN STUDS? OR ARE THEY THREADED?

Sorry I'm ignorant, what is the valve spring binding? I'm running 305 heads on a 350 and want to lower compression and increase flow. The vortec heads seem like the cheapest option to get me around the 400 horse mark.

I did exactly this set up on my 383 except I redid the rocker studs to be screw in with pushrod guides for gits and shiggles. I have a Comp cam with .490 lift and I just finished breaking my cam in for 25 minutes at 2K RPM. The engine sounds like a beast.

Do you have to machine the valve guides

I’m running this same exact setup you think I’d have a problem with .501 lift?

What locks do you use?

I sell a complete kit with beehive springs Pac retainers and +.05 locks that cure most of those issues, the package your working with will end up at 1.740 ish installed height, the ls springs are designed for and rated at 1.800 installed height.

so there no machining to do the the heads to make these valve springs with those part numbers ? and do you use the original valve locks ?

Actually GM was using the L31 in a limited capacity in certain trucks in vans all the way to 2002.
Thanks for all the parts numbers, good video.

I took mine to a machine shop and the owner said (before he past away) as long as you take out the dampeners in the springs and use the stock vortec retainers you can use anything to 525 lift. The heads in stock form only flow and make power to 500 lift. Anything over that your pissing in the wind! If You need more power and lift go aftermarket.stock vortec heads will only make a max of 450hp with high compression but you can always spray it!

I am running 26915 springs, 787 retainers, and Crane +0.050 locks to give me 1.8” installed height. I am using the felpro seals as well and I have .570 retainer to seal clearance on the exhaust and .590 on the intakes. Also running a GM LT4 hotcam with Comp 1.6 rollers with .525 lift with no issues. Everything works great and it’s a nice combo!

Just a real quick question,, no stud issues with .480 lift or self aligning rocker issues on the retainers?

My vortec heads had seal to retainer clearance of .611 with this set up! I used fel pro seals.. Don't know if that makes a difference but I could run just about any cam I wanted lol! Spring pressure of 300lbs at .500 lift! 115 lbs installed.

Did you do screw in rocker studs also? And do you have a video on the valve job?

What's a good off the shelf camshaft with them heads .. decent sound at idle and good power

I did this same setup on my k10 and ran a lt4 hotcam... absolutely lovey combo!

I bought custom springs for my vortec from a place called Alex's Parts
Outside Diameter- 1.270"

Inside Diameter- .880"

120 Lbs @ 1.770"

310 Lbs @ .500" Lift

331 Lbs @ .550" lift

Rate- 380#

Coil Bind 1.145

Beehive Spring? - No

Part # Vsk4h52 for engines w/ vortec heads and hyd roller cams up to 227 degrees duration @ .050"
No machine work able to use up to a 550 lift w/1.6

This video is gold

What issues could I have on a 906 heads with a flat tappet 444/467 lift cam? Stock springs and retainers.

Do you have to go with 1.6 rockers with a .50 lift cam?

When will we get some more w123 videos?