There are some VERY tried and TRUE formulae' in old school small block engine building. You put a flat tappet cam and any serious spring pressure to keep the lifter following the XE profile, or to keep a large valve from bouncing on the seat, and first thing you know you have a pan, crank, rod, main and cam bearings full of lifter debris. Todays oils do not support flat tappet cams. If you can get away from the flat tappet and use stock GM roller hardware, your NUTZ to even consider anything otherwise. Of all the replies I see to this, THAT is the wisest advice and place to start. pull the valve cover and pop a pushrod out and take a look at the valley and see if it is drilled for the roller cam spider and if so, put in a roller cam. I'd pull the intake or if you have a camera scope avail. remember they wanted people to move up to the roller block.as they charged more for it. listing states flat tappet, but the block might be set up for the roller. That ram get cam is a roller, but if you look at the specs it is kinda mild. and it made 330.hp without tuning the carb or advance. I have a truck vortec crate 4 bolt main with the beehive springs and retainers, 1.6 rockers and the ram jet cam. The ramps are aggressive and will not live long with off the shelf oils. Xtreme energy cams are great if you are willing to spend the money on oil. The vortecs flow really well, you don't need or want a crazy lift/duration cam. many threads on this on nasty z28 site and 3rd gen. you can use beehive springs (ls6/ls9)(comp cams)and the smaller retainers(comp cams). 262 is a little more aggressive but close to 2102.

Plus whenever I talk to a tec he tells me I need bigger springs on the Vortec and that will require some milling.Īs far as a cam goes, the Edelbrock 2102 is about the same as the 262 but is designed to with the head and manifold so I am inclined to go with that instead of the Comp Cam Xtreme Energy 262. Also, don't have to buy center bolt valve covers. Plus the I don't have to buy a manifold as I already have a Edelbrock Performer that will fit. There is $150 rebate on these heads which reduces the Delta between Vortec and E-Street to just $182. The E-Street has bigger valves, screw in rocker studs and and guide plates. Compression somewhere in the 9.1 to 1 range.

From what I can tell the compression with the Vortec or the E Street heads would be the same for a 260 Crate.

Best cam for 350 chevy truck