Ok, i have stock vortec heads, and i am trying to run this cam...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-08-433-8/

Now here's the link i'm looking at which states there's a "ghetto grind" method to use on your retainers where you grind them to where you can get to a .550" lift?(link found here, http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56505)

Now i see alot of people saying this works but before i go do something stupid i want to make sure i have this right. So if i grind my retainers 3/32 of an inch, and lets say i purchased these valve springs...
http://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-d...ter/sd1004-1-0

Would i be able to run those heads with that cam safely?

 

Or
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...ortec-lt4.html
http://www.alexsparts.com/valve-spri...rf-hyd-roller/

 

That's a bit too much lift for trimming the retainers safely, and doing so always increases the risk of dropping a valve.
I suggest going with a beehive spring like Comp918's and using the smaller retainers.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VORTEC-VALVE...item4843689115

they have springs for both hydrolic roller cams an flat tappet cams

 

Wow thats a good deal if those actually work, are they a reputable product?

 

You better pin the rocker studs or put some screw in studs in or you will pull the pressed in studs out with the springs that are needed to handle more lift. I have a set of LS2/6 beehive springs and the adapter retainers to put them on SBC heads, you can run a .550 lift cam with them. Shoot me a PM if your interested.

 

You had better make several measurements before you try to use that setup with a .550 lift cam.

You can see my post that is linked above. On unmodified heads, you need to measure each valve's clearance. Mine would have been very close even at .525" lift. Beyond what most builders recommend as safe. I used 1.5 rockers because of that instead of the 1.6s recommended for the hotcam.

Are the heads already installed in the car? If not I HIGHLY suggest having the machine work done to them now. I only done what I done since it was installed in the car.

 

Excellent info in your thread!

Although I should have specified. Springs will handle .550 lift, ensuring the retainer to seal clearance is up to the installer/mechanic. I had planned to put all that on stock L98 heads with a ZZ4 cam I have since went an alternative (more powerful) direction.

 

THe heads are installed i've ran this setup all summer now, i am just upgrading the cam, and in order to do that i have to increase my lift.

Also, so for those springs, again ill ask the ones from alexs parts, are those a reputable product?

and 3rd gen will...pmed

 

PM'd you back, Also PM'd you about your cam selection.

 

Hope you have enough compression and stall and rear gears to make the most of that cam.

 

10.5:1 compression, 3.73 rear gears, and a 2500 stall(i know needs bigger).