Max Lift with Vortec Heads
 

I recently bought some vortec heads for the small block I am going to build. I have always read that the max lift is .480" with the stock valve springs. Is this true? Or is this only if running a roller cam. I am going to be using a hydraulic flat tappet.

That is correct for stock springs. They are a smaller diameter spring too. Beehive springs or machine the heads for regular ones are your only option.

Is that the max using a roller cam? Or can I get away with a .500" lift cam since I am going to a hyd. flat tappet?

I'm not sure, but I would change them to be safe.

It is close, but do you think I will be able to get away using this cam with the stock springs?

http://www.compcams.com/Cam_Specs/Ca...?csid=108&sb=2

What is the deal with shimming the valve springs? Or is that just not the right way to do things?

The stock springs won't be able to control the valve at those rpm's aka valve float. Read this on shimming the springs. http://www.supercarsunlimited.com/in...gs/springs.htm

If I was you I would run these springs. http://www.compperformancegroupstore...e=SBCNEWValves

What rocker arms are you going to use?
I'm running the same heads on my El Camino, but with a smaller cam so I've been down this road before.

Appreciate all the help.

So you are saying, because that cam will be putting the springs at their max potential, I might experience valve float at higher RPM's? Thanks for the help, just trying to understand all this and learn.

I will be using the factory 1.5 arms for now. I am kind of on a budget, and want to cut back where I can. Eventually, I will change them out to roller rockers. I do plan on leaving the self-aligning rockers with factory press-in studs.

The rocker studs will not stay at that lift. You can drill a small hole in the boss on the head and drive a rollpin in. I had screw in studs put in mine.

I am not looking to race the truck, or rev it to 6000.... I was hoping I ccould maybe get away with leaving the stock springs, but it sounds I might have to change those out too.

Or maybe step down the cam to this one...
http://www.compcams.com/Cam_Specs/Ca...?csid=107&sb=2
Basically, I am looking for a real aggressive lumpy idle, but still be streetable. Is there another cam you can maybe recommend? I don't mind trading off a little horsepower for this, as it won't be a race truck.

Is a machine shop needed to change over to screw-in studs? Or is this something I can do in the garage?

I would back down to something like this if you really want to run stock springs and studs.
http://www.compcams.com/Cam_Specs/Ca...x?csid=85&sb=2

Screw in studs will have to be done by a machine shop.