Cams questions

[bigwhitechevy13]

i have a 98 silverado with a vortec 350 in it im looking to put a cam in it without re-doing the heads im going to get a tune so how big can i go with stock springs etc.?

[XLR8N]

ehh. if it were me. i wouldnt install a cam without new springs. if you are putting a new cam in it means you want more power. i would pull the heads off have the mill and port/polish them and also install new seals and springs so it would be reliable. that's just my .02...

[1989K1500]

Originally Posted by bigwhitechevy13

how big can i go with stock springs etc.?

The stock cam.

[XLR8N]

Originally Posted by 1989K1500

The stock cam.

[jimmy_dong]

there are cams out there that are a great improvement over the lame stock vortec cam. the heads are only good for about .450 lift though. anything is better than stock. you dont have to have a lot of lift for a good performing cam. you wont get the best performance but there will be improvement.

[Red94Chev]

Vortec heads are good to 0.470" lift. This still limits your choices for aftermarket camshafts since hydraulic rollers have much higher valve lift. There are a few I know of. One is from Crane Cams (109815, 204/214 @ 0.050", 0.429”/0.452” lift, LSA 112). The other is from Comp Cams (08-409-8 206/210 @ 0.050", 0.458”/0.458” lift, LSA 111).

For the money and expense though, you would be better off with a PCM tune. You would need a tune anyway once you swap camshafts, so you'll have to factor that in your budget. Getting a custom tune is the best bang for your buck, followed by exhaust mods.

[1989K1500]

Originally Posted by jimmy_dong

there are cams out there that are a great improvement over the lame stock vortec cam. the heads are only good for about .450 lift though. anything is better than stock. you dont have to have a lot of lift for a good performing cam. you wont get the best performance but there will be improvement.

True but you cant do it without springs. He said he doesnt want to swap vlave springs.

[bigwhitechevy13]

So as long as i dont exceed .450 lift i can stick with the stock heads will that give me pretty good power gains?

[XLR8N]

Originally Posted by bigwhitechevy13

that give me pretty good power gains?

That my friend is an opinion. What kind of gain are you looking for out of this? is the truck stock? any mods? Mileage?

Keep in mind, I like to have the springs a little stronger than the lift of the cam. it will close the valves faster meaning operating like its suppose to. Springs will lose some strength over time. Make sure to check pushrod length too! found that out the hard way.

[bigwhitechevy13]

im looking to get as much power out of it as i can, the truck is stock now and the mileage sucks already so im not so worried about that, but the more i think about it i might just re do the heads while im at it

[XLR8N]

you can mill the heads and squeeze out some more compression. also port and polish those babies. install new seals and springs and you would be on a good start. stick a comp 262 in there and you will have a slow erratic heart beat

[93ChevyTBI]

Originally Posted by Red94Chev

Vortec heads are good to 0.470" lift. This still limits your choices for aftermarket camshafts since hydraulic rollers have much higher valve lift. There are a few I know of. One is from Crane Cams (109815, 204/214 @ 0.050", 0.429”/0.452” lift, LSA 112). The other is from Comp Cams (08-409-8 206/210 @ 0.050", 0.458”/0.458” lift, LSA 111).
.

I just had the Comp 409-8 installed in mine last week. Runs absolutely great and it's not even tuned yet (it was tuned for another comp cam). We just had to advance the dizzy 2 degrees to keep it idling until I get it dialed in. Driveability is awesome. haven't gotten on it yet b/c of no tune so I can't say what it will do on top end.