See my signature...

With my XE268 cam, I am using the matching 981-16 springs. They are considerably stronger than the weak stockers. The stockers will take more than .450 lift, but you are risking running into valve float without a proper rate spring.
By the way, I wouldn't turn down the vortec heads just because the valve springs may need replaced. These heads are awesome right out of the box.

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'78 chevy truck-355, 9.4-1, vortec heads, XE268, vortec rpm intake, 750 edelbrock, flowtech headers and terminators.

'77 Nova-slowly progressing project.

'78 Nova-parts car?

'95 Lumina 3.4L DOHC 210hp daily driver

 

I wish I could rememder the exact specs, but the Vortec are kinda limited with the valve springs, and the retainer to seal clearance was only about .470 on the last set we did, as I recall. We had to shorten the guides for clearance and change the springs on a set we did a few weeks ago for a guy going with a .488 lift cam. They are good heads, but have those clearances checked when using a bigger than stock cam.

 

Travis:
Did the 981-16 Comp springs fit on the heads right out of the box or did you have to have the heads machined?

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Stace
Abilene, Texas

68 Camaro
68 Camaro Convertible
75 Vette Convertible

 

Try www.competitionproducts.com for drop
in valve springs good to .560 lift.
#2300 or 2301 I believe.
You will need to reduce the valve guide height or the spring retainer will hit.

 

Try www.competitionproducts.com for drop
in valve springs good to .560 lift.
#2300 or 2301 I believe.
You will need to reduce the valve guide height or the spring retainer will hit.

 

The 981-16 springs dropped right into place...no machining at all. I am using the matching 742-16 retainers and comp cams valve locks too.

 

Thanks all! Those are the springs I would run if I got the heads, 981-16. The reason I said I wouldnt buy the heads if I had to switch everything is that it is at least 60 bucks more for a intake with a kit and plus 100 more for springs locks seals and retainers plus 20-30 for center bolt covers. So with a very cheap base price of 446 for a pair I would have to shell out total 646 where I could have a great aluminum head with all the goodies for 785.

 

I've been running stock springs with .454/.480 lift cam for ~40K miles now. Revs happily to 6000 rpms with no hint of valvefloat.

 

MoeSS396,

I have a brand new set of the Comp Cams 981-16 springs and valve seals with cups, locks and retainers (cups, locks and retainers were used for 5k miles). If you are interested I'd sell them cheap. It might be a way for you to use the Vortec heads without getting stuck with the expensive upgrades.

I intended to use them to replace my existing springs, but I wound up having to upgrade to 1.47" springs instead.

Eric

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68 Camaro, 383 small block with TH350 trans. 11.98's at 111mph and never trailered.

[This message has been edited by Eric68 (edited 02-16-2002).]

 

rkr,

what is the brand of cam you are running and what are the exact spec?

thanks,
dave the mopar eater

 

Yes RK what cam is that? Sorry, eric the one thing I dont buy used is springs, IM not that CHEAP!!

 

I run the vortec head with stock springs and a comp cams x-treme energy 262xe. I think it runs hard.

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Black 69 camaro

 

The springs are brand new - I wouldn't sell used springs! Geeeez.

The retainers are used.

 

Try some K-motion K-700, they dropped right in on my Vortecs and they are affordable too.

 

Hot Rod do you think the springs are holding up well? DO the valves float at lets say 6000 rpm? What do you rev the engine too. That is really good to hear because I was think of useing that cam or even the next size bigger.How does that cam ideal? Good vaccum? Does it pull hard right away or does it have a set powerband in which you can feel it start to pull much harder? Really what IM trying to say is when does this cam through you in the seat and start to take off? When does it start to drop off? Can I get someone to run a dyno on this cam with 9-1 and vortecs with a rpm manifold and 1-5/8 headers? Thank you all, I may have to get ahold of ya on those springs eric are they the ones that come with the xe268 package and the 270H-280H and there solid counter parts?

 

I dont know if you guys get or read CHP but there is an article about a vortec head engine in there called agent 87. What I was wondering is that CHP made no mention of changing the valve springs in there vortecs to accomendate the XE268. Does anyone know if they changed the springs? I would think they would have listed the change and Im assuming you can run a XE268 with stock vortec springs. Has anyone ever run a XE268 with stock vortec springs?

 

You should get different heads. The springs won't handle much lift, the guides will need cut down, and they recomend putting in screw in rocker studs. For the money you would spend to fix the Vortec's you could spend a little more and get a set of heads that will flow better. To me the Vortec heads are not worth the money.

 

Moe, i followed the article in CHP and they did mention they changed the springs. Even more in a later issue they rectified the partnumber from i believe comp cams, as what they mentioned in the article was wrong. I'll try and dig those issues up if you want. But i guess if you contact any of the major manufacturers they can help you out.

 

Moe, I dont have a tach in the car so I cant give exact numbers. I can tell you I have a 6000 rpm chip in my 6al msd box and I havent hit the rev limiter yet. I based my decision on 2 articles in CHP. They said dont go over .470 on the lift with stock heads, I called the machine shops referenced in the articles and talked to them. They said you should be ok so I went with it.The cam pulls hard in the mid range and the upper end. But I am lacking gear in the rear end.By the way these heads are on a new 330 hp crate motor and chevrolet recommends 1 3/4 primary headers for that head. No matter what you're still going to have to check for stacking (coil bind) of the springs and retainer clearance. But as you can see, Travis is running the next bigger cam with no problems. Good luck.

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Black 69 camaro

 

Thanks for all the reply's. I have decided that if I run a cam that the vortec springs cant handle I will redo my 461 or buy a set of trick flows. Thanks for all the info.

 

The cam I'm running is Crane's Powermax H272-2 272/284, 216/228, .454/.480 and 112 LSA. Extended exhaust duration is good for somewhat poor exhaust port on Vortecs. Idle is good at 750 rpms and 16" of vacuum. Peak power is ~5500 with vortecs and revs to ~6000 rpms nicely.

 

i got my Vortec heads from a circle track racer that cut the guides and set them up for screw in studs and drilled for old style intake(waste of time- don't even try that. it won't work)- other than that, they were brand new. his race class had a rule change that outlawed them in the off-season, and i found them at a swap meet. i paid $275, if memory serves me correctly. i am using the springs that came with the HOT cam i am running- .525 lifthydraulic roller. 2 summers, and it revs t 7200 like nothing. i think i have about $200 on top of what i paid for them in parts and labor to put them together. maybe you could score a deal similar to what i got?

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1971 Nova(looks like 69 camaro from underneath!)
355sb, vortec heads, HOT cam,T-10 tranny, 3.70 gears 16X8" IROC wheels
see pics here http://community.webshots.com/user/novaderrik