how much lift can the stock springs support??? I was thinking about the Hotcam with Vortec heads...

 

I think the limit is about .49

 

GM lists it as like .450, but then they turn around and run .460 on the 330hp crate motor. The accepted limit seems to be around .480-.490, but you would also need to keep an eye out for valve retainer/boss clearance. That goes for anything over .460 really.

From personal experience I ran a .465 lift single pattern cam for like a year w/ no problems, and am now running a .462/.469 cam since a couple months ago. (CompCams 262) No problems at all in the department for me. Several people are also running the next largest CompCam, the 268 (has up around .480 or .490 if I recall) w/ no problems as of yet

For the LT4 HOT cam you're gonna need some upgrades, Scoggin Dickey happens to sell a set of Vortecs pre-setup for around mid .500s lift for like $550 I believe. That is w/ better springs and the machining to assure valve retainer/boss clearance. Check them out, still a great deal for the performance.

------------------
Ray87Z
-Vortec headed 350.
86 IROC w/ a cammed 305 TPI.
Formerly Ray86IROC.
www.inter-scape.com/Ray

[This message has been edited by Ray87Z (edited September 25, 2000).]