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What do Vortecs need to take .480'' lift?

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Old 09-08-2003, 03:59 PM
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Car: 2002 Formula Firebird
Engine: LS1
Transmission: 4l60e
Axle/Gears: 3.23
What do Vortecs need to take .480'' lift?

I recently bought a lt4 camshaft and I am purchasing a set of vortec heads within the week. I would like to run 1.6 rockers and get the advertised .480'' exhaust lift from the lt4 camshaft. Would I be able to achieve this with a spring change? If so what springs would you recommend?

Would I have problems with studs coming out at .480'' lift?
Old 09-08-2003, 04:18 PM
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depends...

Wouldn't recommend it, but I am getting over .490 lift with the heads remaining stock. I just go easy and don't race it that much. I do get on it hard when the time beckons however.

You need better springs, and while you are at it, might as well replace the seals and get a 3 or 5 angle valve job too.
Old 09-08-2003, 04:41 PM
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I would recommend upgraded springs with screw in studs and new seal...no valve job otherwise you start screwing with a perfect head.

Set the seat pressure as low as possible...you won't need more than that for .480 lift
Old 09-08-2003, 05:22 PM
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Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
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SDPC sells Vortecs already prepped for .480" lift.

If you get stock heads, upgrade the springs as mentioned. Make sure there is at least .040" more clearance between the guide/seal and retainer than you have lift.

You'll need self-aligning rockers unless you have guide plates installed.
Old 09-08-2003, 07:04 PM
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Car: 88 gta ....89 formula 350
Engine: 5.7......383
Transmission: heavily reworked 700r4
just a thought.........i bought a set new vortec heads from jegs and the lift from them would only accept up to a .470 lift....you might want to check them for anything over that.....and as they previously said i would make sure to change the pressed in rocker studs to screw ones......
Old 09-08-2003, 10:47 PM
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Car: yy wife, crazy.
Engine: 350, Vortecs, 650DP
Transmission: TH-350
Axle/Gears: 8.5", 3.42
I have a set of used Vortecs. I measured the retainer-to-seal clearance.

With the stock seals I measured .540". So allowing the .040" clearance that five7kid recommends, that still leaves .500".

I don't know where Jeg's, CHP, and all those other places are coming up with .465" and .470" being the max.

Maybe they're talking about the stock springs???
Old 09-08-2003, 11:05 PM
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The heads Im getting could already have better springs I don't know. The motor had the vortec heads and the lt4 camshaft I have in it. I'm gonna do springs and seals at least. I don't know about the screw in studs just yet.

Are stock rockers self- aligning? Im not sure about valvetrain **** really.
Old 09-09-2003, 08:24 AM
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Car: 82 camaro SC
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
Car craft stuck a set of these springs on Vortec heads to achieve up to 550 lift without any other changes to the heads.
http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...63&prmenbr=361
http://compcams.com/whatsnew/NewsDet...ID=-1373872784
Old 09-09-2003, 04:06 PM
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Car: 2002 Formula Firebird
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They put ls1 springs in it? What diameter are they?
Old 09-09-2003, 06:00 PM
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im pretty sure those are too big, 1.445" diamater
Old 09-10-2003, 06:05 PM
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Too big, I don't know. Just read the article. They put those new springs on vortec heads and the results were good. 550 lift and lighter other 'performance' springs.
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