Cam For A Daily Driver?

[3400-95-Modified]

52 bux from Lingenfelter Performance for a box of 16.

[Superdave]

install height is around 1.7" on a 3400/3500 head.. my machine shop measured the LS6 Yellows at a safe .500 -.510 lift with coil bind around .560.


Comp's 26915's are a much better spring, i'm running .549 lift /7000+ RPM with no problems.


as for the H260 cam, we're building a 3.1 gen2 with a ported top end and the H260 cam.. planning on using the LS1 springs with stock 3.1 seals, SBC Copper shims and stock 3400 locks/retainers. Heads will be assembled and tested for max lift hopefully very soon...

[3400-95-Modified]

How thick is a standard 3400 retainer?? I measured my install height at 1.884 from the top of the seat to the top of the retainer...

[Superdave]

How thick is a standard 3400 retainer?? I measured my install height at 1.884 from the top of the seat to the top of the retainer...

i think they're .060" but i can verify that tonight.. i found a few laying around on the floor this morning.


Here is a pic of the 26915 spring installed on my 3500 head..




from the shim (.015" thick) to the top of the spring is 1.71" (IIRC)

[3400-95-Modified]

those are stock 3500 seals?

Heres my LS6 spring on my 3500 head with dodge seals and toyota seats. And how I measured it.

[Superdave]

those are '91 2.2L exhaust seals...


the install height is the height of the actual spring between the shim/seat and the upper retainer.

[3400-95-Modified]

Yeah i know, I figured that out after I measured that... This is why I ask what is the thickness of a stock retainer.

[FiredUpZ28]

Always replace springs when putting in a more aggressive cam. Always. You can reuse rockers, retainers, lifters (though you said you were replacing them anyways). Make sure you pre-order some valve locks, you'll drop at least one or two of them. One thing to consider is your engine will need to be tuned to the cam and always get a full intake and exhaust to compliment the cam as well. Theres no point in the valves being open farther and longer if the stock system cant breathe anyways. The other thing is your transmission will hate the rest of the car after this, as GM transaxles are not meant to withstand much more than stock. Grab a haynes manual and do some research online before doing a cam install. FWD cars can be tricky, unless the engine is out of the car.

Its a difficult balance, top end and low end. Top end is for real race cars, low end is is for daily drivers, generally speaking. Hope that helps a little, and good luck!

[86euro]

Always replace springs when putting in a more aggressive cam. Always. You can reuse rockers, retainers, lifters (though you said you were replacing them anyways). Make sure you pre-order some valve locks, you'll drop at least one or two of them. One thing to consider is your engine will need to be tuned to the cam and always get a full intake and exhaust to compliment the cam as well. Theres no point in the valves being open farther and longer if the stock system cant breathe anyways. The other thing is your transmission will hate the rest of the car after this, as GM transaxles are not meant to withstand much more than stock. Grab a haynes manual and do some research online before doing a cam install. FWD cars can be tricky, unless the engine is out of the car.

Its a difficult balance, top end and low end. Top end is for real race cars, low end is is for daily drivers, generally speaking. Hope that helps a little, and good luck!

Yeah, the engine is currently out of the car, and I have a couple sets of spare locks. I was thinking I could just get away with new lifters and a mild cam, but everone has advised against it, so I'll just stick with new lifters only. Unless the gen2 springs are good enough (I have those layng around)?