Real Budget Vortec Engine build

[novadude]

I will be using GM#12499224 valve spring set which is the factory LS3-LS6 beehive with COMP Cams 787-16 Beehive retainers, this creates a lot more room between the retainer and guide boss. It usually eliminates needing to machine the guide for lift, also cool, but that spring is pretty tame so I will be choosing some lobes that are calm enough to keep things happy.

I would imagine you'll probably be shimming those springs to ~1.72" or so for more seat load and to run closer to the ~1.16" coil bind with only .510" lift. I did the same when I set up the PAC-1215 springs on my '062' heads with stock guides and a .500" lift hyd roller cam. So far, so good. If I was doing it over, I'd use the GM springs and save some bucks.

[CGT]

I will be using GM#12499224 valve spring set which is the factory LS3-LS6 beehive with COMP Cams 787-16 Beehive retainers, this creates a lot more room between the retainer and guide boss. It usually eliminates needing to machine the guide for lift, also cool, but that spring is pretty tame so I will be choosing some lobes that are calm enough to keep things happy.

I would imagine you'll probably be shimming those springs to ~1.72" or so for more seat load and to run closer to the ~1.16" coil bind with only .510" lift. I did the same when I set up the PAC-1215 springs on my '062' heads with stock guides and a .500" lift hyd roller cam. So far, so good. If I was doing it over, I'd use the GM springs and save some bucks.

I haven't mocked the heads up yet but yeah..exactly, they will be getting set up short for sure. I'd like to run more lift, but Im not sure I wanna run that spring at 1.800 just to put a little more lift in it. If it was mine, it'd have some 221438 Manley beehives on it and more lift. But I think it'll be just fine with a half inch lift and the GM springs, not a lot of reason to add cost and complexity on this thing honestly.

[novadude]

I will be using GM#12499224 valve spring set which is the factory LS3-LS6 beehive with COMP Cams 787-16 Beehive retainers, this creates a lot more room between the retainer and guide boss. It usually eliminates needing to machine the guide for lift, also cool, but that spring is pretty tame so I will be choosing some lobes that are calm enough to keep things happy.

I would imagine you'll probably be shimming those springs to ~1.72" or so for more seat load and to run closer to the ~1.16" coil bind with only .510" lift. I did the same when I set up the PAC-1215 springs on my '062' heads with stock guides and a .500" lift hyd roller cam. So far, so good. If I was doing it over, I'd use the GM springs and save some bucks.

I haven't mocked the heads up yet but yeah..exactly, they will be getting set up short for sure. I'd like to run more lift, but Im not sure I wanna run that spring at 1.800 just to put a little more lift in it. If it was mine, it'd have some 221438 Manley beehives on it and more lift. But I think it'll be just fine with a half inch lift and the GM springs, not a lot of reason to add cost and complexity on this thing honestly.

If your heads are like my '062's (with factory GM valve job and valves), the '787' retainer and no shims put install height a lot closer to 1.800", so you'll probably need to plan on some shimming.

[CGT]

If your heads are like my '062's (with factory GM valve job and valves), the '787' retainer and no shims put install height a lot closer to 1.800", so you'll probably need to plan on some shimming

Gotcha. Yeah, mine may set up even taller than that due to the current valve job. Sounds like I might have to get at least half of that .100 with valve locks or something. Thanks.

[CGT]

This blocking members feature on Speedtalk is really beneficial it turns out. I think I may be underusing it......thanks to everyone contributing.

[CGT]

IMG_05741.jpg

Made a little progress. Piston to deck clearance is coming out really close to what I was shooting for.

[cpmotors]

FWIW-
906 heads with 1.94/1.50 and mild porting, Comp XE HR 230/236° @ .050" 110°, 1.6 rockers, 10.5:1, Scat Rods with Mahle pistons 1.5/1.5/3.0 ring pack, stock lifters, Beehives, Pro Magnum Rockers. Stuska Dyno.

[CGT]

FWIW-
906 heads with 1.94/1.50 and mild porting, Comp XE HR 230/236° @ .050" 110°, 1.6 rockers, 10.5:1, Scat Rods with Mahle pistons 1.5/1.5/3.0 ring pack, stock lifters, Beehives, Pro Magnum Rockers. Stuska Dyno.

Cool. Thanks for posting that. What was done to the heads?

[slo-svt]

FWIW-
906 heads with 1.94/1.50 and mild porting, Comp XE HR 230/236° @ .050" 110°, 1.6 rockers, 10.5:1, Scat Rods with Mahle pistons 1.5/1.5/3.0 ring pack, stock lifters, Beehives, Pro Magnum Rockers. Stuska Dyno.

Cool. Thanks for posting that. What was done to the heads?

I bet they are "worked"

[randy331]

IMG_05741.jpg
Made a little progress. Piston to deck clearance is coming out really close to what I was shooting for.

Are those some of those lead pistons ?

Randy

[cpmotors]

FWIW-
906 heads with 1.94/1.50 and mild porting, Comp XE HR 230/236° @ .050" 110°, 1.6 rockers, 10.5:1, Scat Rods with Mahle pistons 1.5/1.5/3.0 ring pack, stock lifters, Beehives, Pro Magnum Rockers. Stuska Dyno.

Cool. Thanks for posting that. What was done to the heads?

Basics. Entry and pinch, some bowl and SSR. Nothing fancy, it was a quick and dirty cleanup.

[cpmotors]

FWIW-
906 heads with 1.94/1.50 and mild porting, Comp XE HR 230/236° @ .050" 110°, 1.6 rockers, 10.5:1, Scat Rods with Mahle pistons 1.5/1.5/3.0 ring pack, stock lifters, Beehives, Pro Magnum Rockers. Stuska Dyno.

Cool. Thanks for posting that. What was done to the heads?

I bet they are "worked"

"Worked" with a 1.94"/1.50" valve layout lol

[CGT]

IMG_05741.jpg
Made a little progress. Piston to deck clearance is coming out really close to what I was shooting for.

Are those some of those lead pistons ?

Randy

Yes...they are from the Sealed Power lead series.

[steve cowan]

Hi C H A D
i knew you could not put those heads back on with out a tickle up lol
i want to play with a set of vortec heads as from the research i have done they have great potential,i am interested to know what the throat % is stock.
when i done my 165 darts the throat was 88.5% as cast.i wanted to keep it small but after clean up valve job and blend it came in at 89.5% no big deal but Randy advised to keep it smaller in my application to start with and it can grow from there as i sized the ports larger with time.
Nice build from CP 458 hp @ 6000rpm great street engine.
Damn wish i had a dyno in the shed like you,i bet you pick up 10 just in the tune up on the dyno,going to start my engine today,run in cam etc,been hot here 35 deg celcius,approx 95F,cooler now so should be a go.

[CGT]

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