VORTEX 218/226 TWISTER — RETROFIT HYDRAULIC ROLLER
 
Small Block Chevy 262–400 CID
 
Includes Cast Hydraulic Roller Camshaft & Johnson 2116SBR Short Travel Link-Bar Lifters
218°/226° @ .050
• .320"/.334" Lobe Lift
• .480"/.534" Valve Lift
108° / 110° / 112° LSA Options
 
Overview
The Vortex 218/226 Twister Retrofit Hydraulic Roller package is engineered for traditional Small Block Chevy 262–400 cubic inch engines originally equipped with flat tappet camshafts but upgraded to modern hydraulic roller valvetrain technology.
 
This package combines a precision-ground cast hydraulic roller camshaft with premium Johnson 2116SBR Short Travel Link-Bar Lifters to deliver excellent low-end torque, crisp throttle response, aggressive midrange acceleration, and improved valvetrain stability compared to conventional flat tappet combinations.
 
With 218°/226° duration @ .050", the Twister utilizes a split-duration design to improve exhaust scavenging and overall cylinder efficiency — especially beneficial for typical Small Block Chevy street heads and exhaust systems. The added exhaust duration helps broaden the usable powerband while maintaining strong street manners and responsive low-speed performance.
 
The .320"/.334" lobe lift design provides excellent airflow potential while remaining compatible with reliable street valvetrain combinations. When paired with 1.6 ratio rocker arms, the cam delivers .512"/.534" valve lift for increased cylinder filling and stronger midrange power.
 
The included Johnson short-travel retrofit roller lifters improve hydraulic control, reduce pump-up tendencies, and maintain excellent valve stability at higher RPM compared to conventional retrofit hydraulic rollers.
 
Available in 108°, 110°, and 112° LSA configurations, the Vortex 218/226 Twister can be tailored from an aggressive, lopey street machine to a smooth EFI-compatible cruiser with excellent vacuum production.
 
Package Includes
Cast Retrofit Hydraulic Roller Camshaft
Johnson 2116SBR Short Travel Link-Bar Lifters
Camshaft specification card
Compatible with traditional Small Block Chevy 262–400 CID engines
 
Camshaft Specifications
Duration
Duration @ .050": 218° intake / 226° exhaust
Advertised Duration (@ .006"): ~248° intake / ~256° exhaust
Lift
Lobe Lift
.320" intake / .334" exhaust
Valve Lift
1.5 Rockers
.480" intake / .501" exhaust
1.6 Rockers (Recommended)
.512" intake / .534" exhaust
 
Valve Timing Events @ .050"
108° LSA
IO: 4° BTDC
IC: 34° ABDC
EO: 47° BBDC
EC: 1° ATDC
Overlap: ~5°
Characteristics
Hardest midrange torque hit
Deepest idle lope
Fastest throttle response
Best for aggressive street/strip applications
 
110° LSA (Standard Street)
IO: 2° BTDC
IC: 36° ABDC
EO: 45° BBDC
EC: 3° ATDC
Overlap: ~1°
Characteristics
Broad torque curve
Excellent street manners
Crisp throttle response
Best all-around street performance option
 
112° LSA
IO: 0° BTDC
IC: 38° ABDC
EO: 43° BBDC
EC: 5° ATDC
Overlap: ~0°
Characteristics
Smoothest idle quality
Strongest vacuum production
Excellent EFI compatibility
Ideal for overdrive and highway cruiser applications
RPM Operating Range
1600–6000 RPM
Designed for strong low-end torque, aggressive midrange acceleration, and excellent real-world street drivability.
 
Performance Characteristics
Idle Quality
Choppy street-performance idle
Stable vacuum production on 110° and 112° LSA configurations
Noticeable exhaust tone without sacrificing drivability
Johnson short-travel lifters improve idle consistency and valve control
 
Torque & Power Delivery
Strong off-idle torque production
Excellent midrange acceleration
Improved exhaust scavenging from split-duration design
Broad usable street powerband
Modern roller lobes provide substantially greater area under the curve than comparable flat tappet profiles
 
Drivability
Excellent for street-driven vehicles
Compatible with power brakes
Works well with carbureted or EFI systems
Excellent throttle recovery and part-throttle responsiveness
Stable valvetrain operation with reduced hydraulic instability
 
Recommended Valvetrain Components
Valve Springs
Recommended:
120–130 lbs seat pressure
310–340 lbs open pressure
Examples:
PAC-1218
Comp 986-16
Equivalent dual springs
 
Lifters
Included:
Johnson 2116SBR Short Travel Link-Bar Lifters
Benefits:
Short-travel hydraulic design
Improved high-RPM valve stability
Reduced hydraulic pump-up
Excellent oil control
Premium USA-made construction
 
Pushrods
Recommended:
5/16" or 3/8" chromoly
.080"–.105" wall thickness
 
Rocker Arms
Compatible With:
1.5:1 full roller rockers
1.6:1 full roller rockers (recommended)
 
Minimum Clearances
Retainer-to-seal clearance: .540" minimum
Verify piston-to-valve clearance on all builds
Verify pushrod length during final assembly
 
Recommended Converter & Gearing
110° LSA — Balanced Street Setup
Stall Converter: 2200–2500 RPM
Rear Gear: 3.31–3.73
 
Best Use
Daily drivers
Muscle cars
Street performance builds
 
108° LSA — Street/Strip
Stall Converter: 2500–2800 RPM
Rear Gear: 3.55–4.10
 
Best Use
Aggressive street combinations
Lightweight cars
Weekend hot rods
 
112° LSA — EFI / Overdrive
Stall Converter: 2000–2200 RPM
Rear Gear: 3.08–3.55
 
Best Use
EFI conversions
Highway cruisers
Overdrive-equipped vehicles
 
Best Engine Applications
Small Block Chevy 262–400 CID
Retrofit hydraulic roller conversions
Carbureted or EFI systems
9.0:1–10.5:1 compression ratios
Street trucks and muscle cars
Weekend hot rods
Mild nitrous combinations
Pump-gas performance builds
 
Why Choose Red Line Cams?
At Red Line Cams, every camshaft is ground in-house using proven lobe designs developed for real street-driven performance engines. Unlike generic shelf grinds, we offer multiple LSA options so you can tailor idle quality, vacuum, throttle response, and power delivery to your exact combination.
With over 35 years of camshaft grinding experience, Red Line Cams delivers real-world performance, premium valvetrain compatibility, and direct support from the people who actually manufacture your camshaft.