Beehive Springs on Vortecs! Easy .550+ Lift with No Machine Work! *Check description for part 

Appreciate the part numbers! Not all hero’s wear capes.

Great channel & content, but someone’s GOTTA tell me- what the HELL is a “piss-cutter”?!! 😂

If rebuilding a set of heads, you can run +100 valves

Badass, I really enjoyed the 305 vortec head video from a while back, enough so that I took a pair that I had laying around blended the bowls back opened the runners up slightly and stuck them on a 355 in my 3/4 ton with a summit 1103 cam

I would never have thought it would be possible to run a LT4 Hotcam in my L31 without machining the guides. IMO this is a game changer. Looks like I'd have a few thousandths to spare as well. Nice! Thanks so much!

Great video Pat! I did most of my mods to my L31 using your older videos a few years back. I am running Comp 26915 springs, 787 retainers, Crane 99095 +.050 keepers, Felpro seals, Comp 1418 1.6 self aligning roller rockers, and an LT4 Hotcam. I had to clearance the intake rocker knubs like you mentioned but I have been running this combo now for a couple years with the stock press fit studs and it is still running strong with zero issues! The LT4 hotcam has been a great street cam for my 96 Chev shortbox and after doing the 411 PCM swap and some tuning it has a nice lope at idle. I am loving this whole video series thanks for the great content!

Another excellent tutorial! Thanks.

Pat, my full roller rocker nubs are still too tight on my intakes, even with the + .030 keepers- so my question is what about the Manley 11860 valves on the intake side with the .290 tips to match the exhaust tip clearances….. how does that affect the intake? I have ls6 beehives, the 787 retainers, + .050 keepers on exhaust and got the * .030 keepers for the intake to try and get more clearance on the self aligning full roller rockers, and the Summit version of the LT4 hot cam so .520 and .525 lift. I’m at my Witt’s end trying to get the clearance I need on the rocker guides to keep them off the locks ! Seeing the .290 tip Manleys seem to be the way to go, but what else changes? IF they will work for me, do I go back to the + .050 locks to keep the 1.8” install? Please someone help me out! My brain is imploding over all this I don’t fully understand! Thanks in advance! Best channel out there on Vortecs!!!

What happened with the vortec with the DNA heads and 8803 cam? I bought the same heads ( except angled plugs), same cam , lifters, springs, rockers… you get the point. Did I miss the rest of the build because I can’t find it?

I’m having trouble finding the +.030 keepers for the stock valves in my l31 heads I’m trying to do exactly what this video shows and use a 500 lift cam does any body have a link to them forgive my inexperience I’m working on my first engine build

Looks like I needed this video a month ago. I'm having the intake valve Rocker Clearance problem with my rockers hitting the retainers. If I completely scrap my currently set up and purchase the parts in this build will I have enough room for this cam HRS-CL110245-10? Intake Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.500 in. Exhaust Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.510 in.

ThankYou for sharing this info! Definitely will help me when I get going on my build!

What are your thoughts on running 1.6 rockers off a 3400series on a 2001 4.3 v6??? Also what springs can i run ...if i run a bigger cam with 470 lift? Thanks brother!!! I also love vortecs!!!! Plan on running sbc vortec headed in my 2001sliverado!!!!

I have a 1970 350SBC that runs amazing with real high compression but poops out at about 4k rpm. I pulled the valve covers and it has 601 heads from a 305 on it. So I’m looking into a vortex swap. What cam would you recommend. I want a nice aggressive lumpy idle. I’m putting this into a 280ZX

Hey I know this video is a little old but I’ve found an Isky’s cam that says it’s converter and computer compatible for my 1998 vortec 350 truck, it’s like a 257/265 hydraulic roller with 0.465/0.485 of Lift. It says it’s good for the 1400-5600rpm range. They make it sound like I should be able to just stick this into the truck but I’m worried about the max lift on the stock heads and everyone I’ve talked to about it says they wouldn’t worry about it but online you see like .420 being the max and .480. What do we think here guys? I’m just totally uncomfortable putting a cam like this on oe springs and pushrods.

One thing to note, I did not see you cover in this video. You can run harden valve lash caps to get the needed stem height for the self aligning rocker arms. Just something to add, I know a lot of people shy away from running them but they do work, also yes I know I am commenting on a 9 month old video just figured I would add this for those that did not know.

Question. I have a sbc350 with 906 vortec heads that I built with a port job and screw in studs. The heads have 480 max springs from summit racing. My engine has a 480/488 cam in it from Howard’s. Would I need stronger valve springs or would the 480 max springs work? I don’t want to deal with valve float. And what springs would you recommend? Not sure if 550 lift max springs are to stiff or not. Thanks

Hello my friend, I would love to know if you can tell me what's the max lift & RPMs these springs can handle, here are the springs specs: seat load 136 lbs @ 1.800'' , open 412 lbs @ 1.170'' , spring rate 438 lbs/in and coil bind 1.125'' , thanks in advance

I'm finished with my Vortec build , this is a very good video, I used the ramjet cam , I now wish I would have been more aggressive with a different cam , but the car runs great .I wanted to stay under the .500 lift .

Hello Sir, excellent videos I've watched all of them now and rewatching some, whet roller tip rockers do you recommend with the + .030 locks? Hope to see more videos keep up the excellent work

Bro you’re awesome trying to go with vortec heads and all this stuff is a lot to take in. This was so great gonna follow this. Thank you so much!

Bro you are a wizard! lol Thanks for the great info.

Thanks for all the info! Do you know the comp cams number for the +030 offset keepers? I’m having a hard time finding any besides the ones you mentioned that are out of stock

I plan to run summit roller cam SUM-8802 on my L31 with Summit springs SUM-174002 springs. The cam specs are 218/227 @.050 intake lift .525 and exhaust is .520. Based on your experience would i run into any issue with clearance with this set up?

Just curious, I have one gm (mexico) 906 and one aftermarket 906, the base on the aftermarket is not a pocket like the mexico 906, can I still run the beehive springs on this head with no issues?

So use the .030 or .050 retainers with self aligning rockers? Or you have to order them install and check?

Can I run stock rocker arms with an lt4 hotcam with these springs retainers keepers and valve seals?

Putting vortec heads on my 327 with Holley sniper so this video is really helpful.

Where to find .030 keepers? When I Google the part number on your video, the only thing that comes up are the +.050 ones. Thanks in advance for your help! Has been 12-15 years since I built my last sbc, your videos have been very helpful.

Great video Pat. Looking forward to more on this build.👍👍

Hey Pat, tried ordering some of the retainers you recommended (SUM-174003-3) but the delivery times keep getting pushed. It's now showing August. Will Comps 787-16 work in their place? Thanks!

Can you Use the .050 offset keepers on intake and the .030 offset on the exhaust? I know you can but should you ?

Our of curiosity would this work for your typical "turbo swirl" heads? I understand that the vortec is superior just curious if it would even work for the guy try to get a little bit out of his old center bolt 350

Great video! Are beehive springs similar to Z28 valve springs? Is there a problem running these heavier springs during camshaft break-in (using cam's recommended break in procedures)? Also, what is the minimum lift when using these springs? Looking at a mild cam with a .444/.466 lift while using 305 HO 601 heads with z28 springs. Thanks for the informative video.

Correction - Competition Products lists the PVT 4326 keepers as +.050 and the VTO 4134 keepers as +.030

So i orderd the +.50 but i only needed the .30 should be fine right 😆

Nice! I bet these could be used on a big block chrysler with a spring locator.

Great video man. Beehives are the bomb. Running some on my current build

So I can run the lt4 hot cam with those seals springs retainers and .30+ keepers and stock rockers 1.5?

Thanks again. Learning lots.

where is the link for the spring kit

Is there an issue with running guide plates, if you want to use the 50 thou keepers?

I was about to machining retainers ... cool👍

Interesting. I wish I would have known about offset keepers when I was active in racing.....why didn't I know? Looks like the rocker could come down and release the keepers.

So spring pressure is 375 open my cam needs 300 would it be fine with 375

Does this apply to iron lt1 heads?

Did you ever finish the build, how did it turn out? So i assume you upgraded the keepers and seals with the parts listed in the info? Just looking to do something similar and want to take out all of the guess work!

Have a question I purchased the 174002 summit brand beehive springs did you run in the problem of them fitting around the valve seal boss? I have the 906 vortec heads some went on good no problem and some where a lil tight but went on my question is will it cause problems only gonna be running a .480 lift just wanna make sure the tight snug ones won’t break on me.

So if you run these parts you can run a .520 lift cam and it won't pull the studs out.

What rockers are you going to run on these? The comp roller tips with the traditional fulcrum?

I have a1998 l29 454 and 4l80e outta of a Winnebago that I am swapping into my 70 Chevelle. I want to put a zz502 cam in it..... It's factory hydraulic roller with net lash rockers( not adjustable) Do you have a recommendation for a valve spring setup

Great content as usual!

thanks Pat. i am was looking for a spring to go with crower hydraulic roller, and i am was looking at conicaL springs not the beehives. There are some smaller conicaL type springs out there and i am was wondering if you could tell me one that works or try one for this hyd. roller cam? crower #OO484LM . Respectively It is a 284*/286* advertised and 230*/236* @ O.O5O" lift and Lobe lift is O.363"/ O.370" lift respectively. LSA is 114* degrees. Grind number is #228HR236. i am not knew if you have ever tried it. Although i am going to use Gen1 sbc heads. Just wondering if it could work for both head types?

Pat, others on YT have used beehives on vortec heads but forget about the need for offset keepers. These are key to making this setup work. I watched the last video you made on this and worked great. Thanks!!

Hi pat great video s Would I get away with using SUM 174002 springs retaiiners std valve locks at 1.75 using a ZZ4 cam 510 valve lift if not could I take some of the retainer thanks

So no worries about the push in studs? Always thought that was the main problem. Needing to have them studded with more seat pressure

I have a 305 I'm rebuilding would you know of a camshaft I might be able to find a mild cam for towing and some performance it's a 1998 vortec in a pick up

Thank you Pat for upload and info! Just for a thought, if the offset keepers are close to contact with the rocker, why not to sand some hundreds off from them to until levelled with the retainers? Then for sure the rocker should only contact the valves only

Hey Pat, I really hope you see this comment as it’s an older video. I checked out the Power products .030 offset keepers, but there’s a review from a man saying he received .050 keepers in a Howard’s Cams package. Could you test those out please? I don’t want to buy the wrong thing and I don’t want any issues trying to run my 1.5 rocker arms with the summit 8802 cam.

Would SUMM-8803 cam go good with the .600 springs?

Hey just bought the .030 from competition products. They came in a Howard's box that says .050 box, lol. What's a easy way to measure to make sure they are actually .030

So I feel like my machine shop guy is lying then cuz I bought all the summit products in your video and he’s sayin I need to machine the brass valve guides and my installed height is only 1.75 with the offset keepers…. I’m so confused

Hey man your videos are great! Good info thats hard to find anywhere else.. apparently The Locks I got in my kit from Comp Cams came with these offset +.050 they recommended 26906VC-KIT and I'm using self-aligning stamped steel rockers after the first 500 miles with the motor took the valve covers off and see pretty much on the intake that they are wearing into the locks im using comp cams XE268H intake at .477 exuhast at .480 from what I gather from your information I should be able to go back to the stock retainer locks and not have these clearance issues and it would still work cuz I'm under .500 lift.. lucky I caught thanks to your videos what do you think?

Comp Cams must have changed vendors or something for these springs because they won't clear the guide boss at the spring pocket on the 062's I just built. Had to cut the boss diameter to fit these springs.

Have u ever used the tick performance spring kit? Part# TPC-6BHLTKit Seems like a really nice kit

Another very helpful vortec head video. 👍

I’m going to go ahead and cut down my guide bosses since I’m doing screw in studs. My man will do both at the same time basically. I’m going to cut them to achieve the 1.8 install height with stock keepers. I’m not wanting to take the chance of a rocker jumping off. Keep the videos coming!!

outstanding!

Thanks! Another great video!

Grind top of the keepers till they are flush with the top of the retainers. Grind guide rails on rockers to give the clearance you need between rockers and retainers, keepers. Just did this on my vortecs and have plenty of room.

Duuuuude....awesome vid. Can't wait to upgrade my Vortecs. Still trying to break in my engine. Keep up the great work.

Nice info

If I want to put 600 lift on 317 heads, will I have to mill the head and cut down the guides? Mill the spring seat and use spring guides.

So what roller tip rockers would you use thanks Great video

great video, explains a lot! I hope to do something similar on my motor at one point.

Good handy knowledge thank you

The man with the plans!!👍🏾😎

What about lash caps will that work for this setup? Great information on these head's always look forward for your videos

I gave my heads away sold the motor with a monster cam in it got completely away from building a grenade after finding out how many different b hive springs there are and after market heads are cheaper in the long run

I have a 99 L31 vortec in my tahoe and I was wondering if I were to run an lt4 hot cam would it still make enough vacuum to run the stock vacuum power brakes?

Great video mate 👍🇦🇺

I just looked on your channel for a new video!! Perfect timing!

Amazing video

Wow, great info. Quick question, can i use stock LS retainers on the summit 174002 springs with the .050 offset keepers and be ok with a 510/520 lift cam 🤔.

Hey Patrick, my name is Leslie. I enjoyed your L31 build with DNA Heads. I have a question about the DNA Heads. We're they straight plug, or angled plug holes? Does one work better than the other? What's the difference? Thanks Again Leslie

OMG thank you so much for showing this!!! My engine has "217" heads with the LT4 Hot Cam. The original hot cam springs are a little weak and the dampers self destructed and took out the seals with them. These springs you are talking about might save me tons of frustration. Look up the 217 head and tell me your opinion.

Stupid question will those valve springs work on a 4.3 vortex on a build?....

I seen that summit racing has a spring rated for .630 lift. Part # sum-174005. It’s the same price as the .600 lift spring.

Thank you for all the details, I am starting to rebuild a Vortec 350 for my 1990 chevy pickup, your video helped me out quite a bit. Subscribed.

If I just run the lt4 hot cam with beehive springs will it be enough with stock 1.5 rockers

With this cam and beehive setup how much hp do you think the L31 will make

Perfect thanks for the part numbers It reallly helps So we can keep stock rocker arms? Or should the roller rockers be used for the hot cam?😊

Do any of these combinations affect valve to piston clearance?

If I run the sum 8801 with 1.52 prw self align rockers the lift is.532. With the parts list is it doable with the 174002 springs and VTO4134 +.030 offset keepers?

Those of us who have flowed Vortecs on SuperFlow's all-options 1020 flow bench can tell you, no matter what you try, the flow will always stall above 0.470-0.475" valve lift, and won't recover even as you close the valve. Either limit intake lift or invest in better heads. There's no third option, never was, never will be, never can be.

Great video Pat! Do you know where I could buy Rebuilder valves (+0.015 stem) for Vortec heads? Enginetech has some, but I can't find a source to order them.

So if I understand the stock vortec valve spring retainer and locks will work up to .500 lift with the new bee style springs? If so would only need to purchase new valve stem seals and springs to run a .480 lift camshaft?

Hey Pat! Another great video, thank you good sir! Have you found any issues running the stock rockers with a .030 offset keeper? Thanks!

Looking to run a 480/480 cam and just run stock keepers . Would the stock rockers work fine ? Looking at a rule book that says stock stamped style and no rollers.

Awesome video. I have been watching them for a bit now and I have a question. I am building a TBI 350 4 bolt main out of my 1993 Blazer. I have a set of 062 Vortecs and I will use the Weiand Street warrior (8121) intake. I am also going to use the Summit Racing Max efi 500. I also am going with LS6 style spring and lifters (Roller) I was thinking about the Chevy performance cam 12677151. Is this a good cam for a truck? I daily drive this every day in Germany (Including Autobahn but only 75-85 mph) I want some nice power but still be torquey down low. I was also looking at some 4x4 cams but most are getting close to the limits of the vortecs.