Chevy 400 vortec heads 256/266 @.050 lift cam 106 l.s

Engine test run chevy 400 small block, vortec heads, howards camshaft will be testing in my 1966 chevy nova in a couple of months. Motor sounds good and will hopefully make some decent passes. It is a 400 chevy bored .040 over with 4 valve relief flat tops.

[@wesco123]

Enjoyed seeing and listening to your combos run. You do a nice job describing your work too. Keep up the great wrenching 🏁🏁

[@nylegreen261]

Thank you its been fun.

[@MarcBchannel]

That thing is a beast. The cam is just about right for the combo. @10:1 104-105lsa optimal so its not too far off. Those vortecs flow well @ .500-.520 lift. Nice setup. Should rip👍

[@nylegreen261]

Nice thank you.

[@brianpotocki2482]

Sounds so crisp!!! 409 monster!

[@ChicagoRob2]

Great sound and love the mufflers - nice and quiet, but loud enough to hear that super chop.

[@nylegreen261]

Thank you

[@edpetrocelli2633]

Your cam is surprisingly close to the cans I ran in limited late model engines, sounds nice

[@nylegreen261]

Thank you. Should have it in the car in the next month. Drag car will be testing two different converters a 4000rpm and 5500rpm.

[@swedespeedgarage255]

Sounds really healthy! Really good throttle response.👌 i like those 400:s i got 2 for my Chevelles.

[@nylegreen261]

Nice thank you.

[@thabiznizz]

Very nice build. I ran a set of vortecs on my 350. They are a great budget friendly head. They made good power.

[@nylegreen261]

I'm with you in this. I had a vortec 350 with a small cam about 10 years ago. It ran circles around a 350 with dart II sportsman heads I had.

[@thabiznizz]

@@nylegreen261 they are definitely hard to beat on a mild street engine.

[@joe-hp4nk]

Amazing throttle response, good short track cam.

[@nylegreen261]

Thank you

[@tonywilliams8364]

I’m very impressed… You did great job!!!!!

[@nylegreen261]

Thank you. i can't wait to test this one out.

[@carlw.pfaender9208]

Amazing what you can do with some time, great deal on this one

[@nylegreen261]

Yes agreed. I lm looking foward to testing this one.

[@CK-mf6du]

Nice combo!

[@JimBronson]

Sounds really good. Hard to beat a 406 for SBC power at a reasonable cost. When I was young 30+ years ago, the 406 with camel humps and a 280H was the hot setup. Roller lifters were pretty much unheard of in those days. Talking late 80s/early 90s.

[@nylegreen261]

Thank you. I would like to get ahold of a set camel hump heads. It would be interesting to see how they compare to the vortecs.

[@eddiecahall3824]

@@nylegreen261 Um I have 461 camel hump heads. But I ain't getting rid of them lol maybe for the right price. Camel humps make 330 hp max. Actually lame. Vortecs make in excess of 400 HP. Naturally aspirated, no boosters.There's your difference.

[@shadvan9494]

​ @nylegreen261 I have a set of 461 Camel humps. they are great for Iron heads, but not as good as Vortec heads. I also have a set of 186 Z28/LT1 Camaro/Corvette Heads, and the Vortec heads are still better. there were actually 4 different castings for "Camel Hump" heads. 461, 462 and 291 and the 461x. the 461x has bigger intake runners. 170cc. the other 3 have 160cc intake runners. 461x was used from 60-63. 461 was used 64-66. 462 was used form 62-67 and 291 was used in 68-69. the 186 LT1 heads are better. but even then they are no match for a vortec, hands down the vortec is the best iron hear out there. the vortec is almost as good as the old Dart Iron Eagles. Vortec heads are around 220-225cfm, the 168 heads are around 210 cfm, the 461X head was around 190 cfm. the 461,462,291 were all around 175cfm. the Dart Iron Eagles are around 230cfm. keep in mind that the 906 vortec has 1.94/1.50 valves. and the iron eagle and 186 heads have 2.02/1.60 valves. I have seen ported 461X heads with 2.05/1.60 valves around 270cfm. and vortech with 2.02/1.60 valves around 270cmf as well. the very best head that i know of is the 034 Bowtie iron head. they were around 300cfm ported. but only with .700 lift cams. on a side note. Trick Flow make a aluminum reproduction of the old Camel Humps the flows around 250cfm. they are fairly cheap too at around $780 each. by the time you took a set of old 461X heads, magna fluxed them for cracks, boiled to clean them, added hardened Inconel seats for unleaded gas, new guide liners, 3 angle valve job, new valves, seals, springs, retainers, and locks, you will be close to $1200 not including the cost of the castings. I just did this for a matching number 350 lt1 corvette motor. I would have gone aluminum if this was not a matching number corvette. as far as bang for the but you can't beat the TFS aluminum double hump. just a coat of chevy orange and no one will know they are aluminum.

[@eddiecahall3824]

@@shadvan9494 Them old school camel humps are straight junk compared to Modern technology. Ain't none of those old cylinder heads will compare to any Vortec cylinder heads. Not even ported lol and they make big port Vortec cylinder heads right from G.M I have 4 different sets! Standard 170cc intake ports, GM fast burn iron 189cc intake ports, GM Aluminum fast burn 200 cc intake ports, And The all out race Aluminum 223cc intake ports w 85cc exhaust ports and unshrouded combustion chamber set for big dome pistons! You ain't outdoing any of that! 3 of these cylinder heads will make around 1000hp and the last set will support to infinity basically! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@nylegreen261]

@@shadvan9494 Thanks for the great information. I just picked up a set of 461 castings. I will compare them with the vortecs.

[@barrykilts4506]

Crap somebody needed fast money,you got a hell of a deal

[@sleeeper88]

The tight lobe sep is the key to these sb 400's and 383. Once you get more than about 12.1 you have to start widening the separation but 11.1 or so i like a 105. They scream

[@derekmcdonald2856]

David Vizard would agree!

[@douglasmurphy323]

Sounds strong

[@glennshotrodgarage5509]

sounds pretty ficken sweet!

[@nylegreen261]

Nice thank you

[@nobiden3134]

WARLOCK mufflers👍when my neighbors dog starts yapping I start un capping 😆

[@eddiecahall3824]

Hope you had the the valve guides machined and spring pads on those factory Vortec cylinder heads, if not it will start binding from the higher lift and tear up the heads and possibly the engine! Most people don't know about it. I worked in a machine shop for some years and saw this problem many many times! It sounds nice tho.

[@nylegreen261]

I'm on it. I have clearance to spare. Thanks for the comment and advice.

[@shawnc757]

No coil bind or clearance issues on my setup. Running the big mutha thumpr cam 350 with vortec heads using same springs

[@eddiecahall3824]

@@shawnc757 it's bc the harmonics springs are deleted already from factory and must be using the Vortec factory retainerz. Pretty close to binding lol that or ur not telling something 🙂

[@shawnc757]

@@eddiecahall3824 5.7 vortec retainers. I forgot which stem seals I used which gave me more clearance. And I want to say I used +0.050 valve locks but not sure if it's on the heads I'm running now or the 2 set I've put together and never used. No machine work what so ever other than lapping valves. I was skeptical as hell at first myself cause you will always hear what others done and didn't do or whatever they buddy got. I had to see myself what was up and everything checked out good with clearance and coil bind

[@eddiecahall3824]

@@shawnc757 yeah . The valve sealz are half by 3/4". Yes use the Vortec head factory retainerz. I worked In a speed shop 20 yrs. I used to rebuild the cylinder heads. Alot of people would just put new springs on the heads by their self and get coil bind bc they didn't know to take out the harmonics dampener coils first inside the new springs! You have to research thoroughly before using the cylinder heads. I still have a bunch of the Vortec cylinder heads in my shop. Including the aluminum fast burn performance heads and the aftermarket big port aluminum ones with the 220 cc intake ports and 85cc exhaust ports! I've never used either as of yet. I have a friend that put together a 406 SB engine with big roller cam and he used the fast burn 200cc port ones and makes almost 900 HP w spray! He runs off a 1:25 short time w it in a 69 nova and 9 :80 quarter mile w a 139mph times. No BS!

[@Hogiewan1]

Nice sounding little small block. Seems Erson has some cores for the gen II small blocks, so their grinding me one with only a 2 week lead time. Every other place I called said 45-52 weeks. Maybe it won't flatten after 2 minutes. Fingers crossed...

[@nylegreen261]

I have had good luck so far. I stick to u.s.a made cam and lifters. Also a good break in oil. I think you will be alright.

[@96cr]

A buddy just did a flat tappet hydraulic in my c10 we had the heads rebuilt had lead gas valve train in it 76k original miles use good lifters and good break in lube use the whole tube!

[@robertbanks6870]

That's a torque monster with a 400 shot rods but the vortec heads that's all live cam the pool like a freight train

[@nylegreen261]

I'm with you. Should be fun.

[@Lure-Benson]

After building a 383 using 6 inch rods for my work truck used to tow my guide 30 foot jet boat I will always used the 6 inch rods now. The 383 is keeping right up to the 454 that was taken out of the truck for the 383 to go in.

[@davidkeeton6716]

They sure are snappy and crisp with no torque converter weight aren't they. Sounds good.

[@nylegreen261]

Nice thank you

[@rader1175]

That does make a difference.

[@SERG475HP]

Sounds good & looks good 🇺🇸👍🏻

[@nylegreen261]

Thank you

[@oscarpuente2029]

outstanding!!

[@nylegreen261]

Nice thank you

[@michaeledge8905]

Sounds great

[@nylegreen261]

Thank you

[@colinjohnson7663]

This is amazing content, these types of budget head / tight lsa sbc combinations are exactly what I want to get into building. The fact I get to hear the idle quality beforehand is invaluable! Is this howards grind also on a 106 lsa?

[@nylegreen261]

Yes Thank you. I hope you journey will be as good or better then mine has been. No problems here and I'm having fun. It is on a 106 lsa. I couldn't advance or retard the cam without having piston to valve clearance on this one. It seems this will be the problem with narrow lsa.

[@colinjohnson7663]

@@nylegreen261 Hey man if you have a moment, I'm really curious to know how the self-aligning rockers are holding up with the solid-lifter lash, any noticeable issues?

[@barrykilts4506]

A lot of people just plain forget to put that plug back in the bottom of the block by the oil filter

[@travistucker7471]

Now that will be the fastest motor you put in that nova, a real torque hog!

[@travistucker7471]

What octane gas you running?

[@nylegreen261]

Will run it on 93 octane. Can't wait to try it out. Should be one of the quicker engines.

[@carlw.pfaender9208]

Sounds killer. 400, that’s gonna run real nice!

[@carlw.pfaender9208]

I had a 406 with dart sportsman iron heads with a bit smaller hy roller went best of 11:75 in a 3700 Pound car, drag radials, 4:10 gears and 3k stahl.

[@celiracer94]

Sounds DANG GOOD!!!! Planning on a similar build for my '62 bubble. I currently have 400sbc with 461X (61-62 year) fully ported and steam holes drilled, Edelbrock TM1. I was actually looking at Howards 112082-05 which seems very similar to your cam specs. would love to hear it in car when you get it in.... also what is your compression?

[@nylegreen261]

Thank you.. I'm only around 10.5 to 1 compression ratio. It should be in the car before the end of the month. Should be a good runner. Sounds like you have a nice combination coming together.

[@cchotrods]

What mufflers are those? It sounds great!

[@benhoke6330]

Sounds good! How do you run a solid cam on vortecs? Do you machine your heads for guide plates and screw in studs ?

[@nylegreen261]

Still using stock self aligning rockers. I cut a .014 feeler gauge in half.

[@keithwesley9880]

Nice work my friend, where can one find them crome valve covers for the vortec heads 🤷‍♂️

[@nylegreen261]

Thank you. They are summit racing. Good fit and price.

[@erikcourtney1834]

Is that a 106 lobe separation? It must be the mufflers that are taming the sound down. I know there’s more to an idle sound than just 1 aspect of a cam but a 106 is pretty tight. It sounds really good don’t get me wrong.

[@nylegreen261]

It is on a 106 lsa. Thank you.

[@mattv8919]

yes sir

[@kevinkelley3657]

Only thing that I would have done different is the cam. That cam is strong, but the old UltraDyne 288/296 solid lifter cam ground on 105lsa is much more responsive under load. Bullett cams can still get you the UltraDyne stuff.

[@nylegreen261]

Nice I will look into it.

[@brick2077]

How many degrees abdc?

[@paulpoindexter4050]

What do you do about the steam holes? I've always liked this idea but didnt think the heads worked on a 400

[@nylegreen261]

I did not drill them. I planed on doing some testing at the track with the vortecs and then putting on a set of dart platinum 200's.

[@thomasmccartney]

Flat-tops and vortecs on a 406, that 's some serious compression. I'm guessing not the stock short rods? Will it run on pump gas? Sure sounds great especially with just the flex plate. I'm jealous as heck here.

[@nylegreen261]

Still uses the stock rods 5.565. Compression is 10.5 to 1. It has alot of piston to head clearance. Pump gas is the plan. I took it to the drag strip. To be safe I ran 50/50 mixture of 93 octane and 100.

[@samhapke6862]

Did you have the heads machined or did you drill the steam ports yourself?

[@nylegreen261]

No steam holes drilled.

[@travistucker7471]

Any idea, what kind of power that 400 making? I have all the parts, you have except my solid cam is 520/540?

[@nylegreen261]

Nice. Not sure on power. The vortec heads are stock. I would guess 425 horsepower or slightly under. Which will be plenty quick in the nova.

[@travistucker7471]

@@nylegreen261 I made that hp with a 274 xe comp flat tappet cam, a dished 400 and shaved vortec heads with z28 valve springs 15 yrs ago, so your motor would probably make about 450 or so.

[@nylegreen261]

Nice that would be great. I can't wait to run it should be quick for sure.

[@Lure-Benson]

@@nylegreen261 I have 480 HP from a 383 using 6 inch rods with 9-8-1 compression using 202- 160 values and 68 cc combustion chambers. I need a work truck engine for towing a 30 foot fishing jet boat to work.

[@gabe8388]

She's a runner!

[@nylegreen261]

We will see soon enough.

[@gabe8388]

Looking forward to that!

[@harpin5457]

Hi Sir.... When You install this engine, What size stall and flash converter would You use that works with a cam this size?

[@nylegreen261]

I have 2 different transmission options to choose from. Powerglide with a a1 8 inch converter and a th350 with a tci 3500 stall. I will most likely go with powerglide.

[@harpin5457]

Thanks Sir... My setup is a lot like Yours. I just ordered an FTI 3800 hard hitter.... I'll know soon enough. Stay Safe and Have Fun.

[@malcolmburton9481]

Is it a 2 bolt did you use offset keppers Sound great What Hp

[@nylegreen261]

2 bolt arp bolts.. No offset keepers. I have the ls6 valve springs at 1.75 installed height seat pressure is around 105 lbs. My valve retainer to seal is right around. 040. I have about .490 lift as the stock rocker arms aren't a true 1.5 ratio. Im guessing it will show around 425 horsepower in the car.

[@olskool3967]

i hear people talk about different cams they have, none of the cam companies actually make their own cams unless maybe if you ordered a custom grind. There are only 2 or companies in the entire country that actually make cams, Engine power components and camshaft machine Corp. both In Michigan. so, a cheap summit cam is no different than a high dollar cam, just the price. but that is a nice engine,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[@nylegreen261]

Nice, you wouldn't happen to know if this true about lifters also?

[@olskool3967]

@@nylegreen261 not sure on the lifters,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[@franciscohuerta9860]

Looking good, wat yr 400 n how much hp u estimate u gonna make?

[@nylegreen261]

Around a 1980 block. Im guessing 425hp is what it will show in the car.

[@franciscohuerta9860]

@@nylegreen261 nice hp n tq.

[@davidjaime6407]

That things gotta be making 450+ HP

[@nylegreen261]

That would be nice. I have a similar engine going to the track next weekend. It should give me a idea how it will run. Similar cam but this on has 50 cubic inches and 1 point higher compression.

[@SuperNinten0640]

Im curious what color that motor is it kinda looks like olds 455 metallic blue beautiful color

[@nylegreen261]

Gm blue.

[@kylescaggs]

Any guess on power?

[@shitbox82]

I have a vortec 350 and some 200 cc eBay heads id like to run on it just for grins, I know it wouldn’t be the hottest thing ever but I know would be fun for what I have invested, especially on a 150 shot…

[@nylegreen261]

Its always fun testing. It might surprise you. Good luck.

[@shitbox82]

@@nylegreen261 I have other stuff that makes more power but I still love cheap engines that make decent power, more fun that way sometimes.

[@stevengrissom7142]

Sweet

[@nylegreen261]

Thank you

[@user-ut5hy4im9v]

Got any more details on the cam? I’m building a 400 with vortec heads.

[@nylegreen261]

Howards 110792-06. 284/294 .050 256/266 .515 lift. 106 l/s. 102 intake C/L

[@user-ut5hy4im9v]

@@nylegreen261 perfect. That’s what I was after. What lifters, push rods and rockers did you use? I’m in Australia, so things aren’t quite as easy and much more expensive. Your motor sounds amazing to by the way 👌

[@nylegreen261]

Nice I would love to go to Australia one day. Lifters are Howards 91118 direct lube. Pushrods are jegs 5/16 .080 wall 7.8 long. Valve springs are jegs ls6 valvesprings. Installed at a 1.75 installed height with a 787-16 comp cams retainer stock locks. Rocker arms are stock vortec self aligning.

[@carlw.pfaender9208]

Curious on the lobe separation? Sounds crisp

[@nylegreen261]

Thank you. 106 l.s.

[@carlw.pfaender9208]

@@nylegreen261 o yea she’s gonna run nice Can’t wait. You may have to lay some rubber down now to hook it up lol.

[@200horsepower]

How many hp this engi have? How high you can rev this engine?

[@nylegreen261]

I'm not sure on horsepower maybe 425. Also no more then 6500rpm.

[@davediamond1742]

Hey nice engine build. Have a question. Did you steam port wholes in the vortex heads to match the old 400 iron heads? My apologies if it has been asked before.

[@nylegreen261]

No problem. No steam holes drilled. I do plan on moving to a larger head after testing the vortecs.

[@synshenron798]

​@@nylegreen261so what did you do in place of drilling the steam holes? My grandpas best friend traded my dad and I an 85 Camaro with a 406 for a 55 bel air (the bel air was in pieces down to the frame). He said he did not drill steam holes in the heads he put on it but he told me another thing you can do to sort of simulate steam holes

[@Lure-Benson]

Twice I ran normal SB 194 heads and 202 - 160 value heads on 2 400 SB without drilling the steam holes, I wonder at what point are the steam holes needed? these engines had been used in Blazers for normal driving. @@nylegreen261

[@stevengrissom7142]

Where do you think you will shift @?

[@nylegreen261]

Most likely around 6300 rpm. My limit is 6500 rpm's.

[@craigpennington1251]

This would sound great with the headers attached to a 3"x60" straight pipe/1 on each side. Un baffled of coarse.

[@lollipop84858]

Why?

[@2648498]

How much compression with those heads?

[@nylegreen261]

10.5 to 1

[@scorpio39175]

Are you near Mississippi and wat u charge

[@nylegreen261]

Sorry no. I just do this for a hobby. Thanks for the comment.

[@cammontreuil7509]

Chevy is such a weird non linear engine. But it works.

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

sounds amazing....evil,in a good way

[@nylegreen261]

Thank you

[@pmd7771969]

Not bad kid Bloodviking

[@nylegreen261]

Thank you

[@greddmyles3677]

Didn't know thise 350 heads would bolt to that 400

[@nylegreen261]

No problem with bolting them on. You just need a intake designed for the vortec heads.

[@ndnfjdn897]

What mufflers are those??

[@nylegreen261]

3 inch warlocks

[@HeadFlowInc]

That engine with the GM #140 1st off road mechanical cam w/1.60 rockers would make 500hp 500tq safely on pump premium 93 octane. I’d say you should be ok on 93 fuel.

[@nylegreen261]

That's what I like to hear. Im going to look into that cam.

[@williepelzer384]

I have ran that GM 140 cam in my Z-28 SINCE 1976. I ran 11.70 -71-73. 126 mph quarter mile, still driving it to car shows. People ask what cam? I tell them a factory GM they make this look👀

[@nylegreen261]

That car is moving. That mph is awesome.

[@williepelzer384]

@@nylegreen261 no traction, 7" slicks, no sprayed tracks back then.

[@alexgray1122]

I didn’t know Jon Gruden built motors

[@shiftycaponeixi1]

What is the specs on the cam?

[@Hazardous_Fabrication]

It's the title of the video dillhole

[@lparsons6977]

Tire smokers!

[@HighPowerOptionsTrades]

What is this going into ?

[@nylegreen261]

1966 Nova im doing a comparison of vortec headed engines in the 1/4 mile.

[@larrynorsworthy8582]

Is total duration 316?

[@nylegreen261]

On the intake off the top of my head Advertised was around 285.

[@droptopcoyote8361]

What’s part number on cam

[@nylegreen261]

110792-06

[@michaelangelo8001]

Chevrolet, Yankee...

[@ChrisMcCutcheon-wj2pp]

Drill steam holes

[@jerrybowers2119]

7000rpmcamshaft 5200rpm hei distributor

[@nylegreen261]

I will have a msd distributor 85551 and a msd 7531 in the car.

[@mikegregory3157]

cam number

[@nylegreen261]

110792

[@Michael-gu3tj]

Sounds mean

[@nylegreen261]

Thank you

[@causeimbatmaaan]

Everything does with a flexplate

[@HighPowerOptionsTrades]

I bet it’s slow as heck 🤣😂🤣🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@nylegreen261]

Check out the video here on KZbin.

[@MarcBchannel]

You don't know Chevy power. This thing is gonna snap axles😬

[@HighPowerOptionsTrades]

@@MarcBchannel 0-60 in 5 sec yea sure 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@jameshendrickson8159]

Not originally developed heads as cast vortec heads for a 400 ci engine, never happened and definitely not factory production. Still won't ever be considered for production ur a dreamer and never will be a producer. You will never have the chops to even be a designer, let alone an engineer