Ford Small Block V8 (260 / 289 / 302 ) SMALL BLOCK FIRING ORDER
 
🔥 Purpose & Identity
The Red Line Vortex 268 Street Performer is where street power and attitude collide. Designed for small block Fords that need real muscle on the street without crossing into race-only behavior, this cam delivers a sharp midrange surge, a deep cammed idle, and aggressive throttle response that demands attention.
It’s perfect for drivers who want that “just right” blend of streetability and raw torque — powerful enough to break tires loose, clean enough to drive every day.
 
⚙️ Camshaft Specifications
Duration @ .050" – 218° / 218°
Advertised Duration – 268° / 268°
Valve Lift – .454" / .454" (≈ .485" with 1.6 rockers)
Lobe Separation Angle (LSA): 108°, 110°, 112°, 114°
Standard LSA: 110° (installed 4° advanced → 106° ICL)
RPM Range: 1,500 – 5,500 rpm
Idle Character: Noticeable lope with strong vacuum and quick throttle response
 
📊 Valve Timing Events @ .050" (Cam Installed 4° Advanced)
LSA 108° (ICL 104° / ECL 112°)
Intake Opens 5° BTDC • Intake Closes 33° ABDC • Exhaust Opens 41° BBDC • Exhaust Closes 7° ATDC • Overlap ≈ 12°
 
LSA 110° (ICL 106° / ECL 114°) (Standard)
Intake Opens 3° BTDC • Intake Closes 35° ABDC • Exhaust Opens 43° BBDC • Exhaust Closes 5° ATDC • Overlap ≈ 8°
 
LSA 112° (ICL 108° / ECL 116°)
Intake Opens 1° BTDC • Intake Closes 37° ABDC • Exhaust Opens 45° BBDC • Exhaust Closes 3° ATDC • Overlap ≈ 4°
 
LSA 114° (ICL 110° / ECL 118°)
Intake Opens 1° ATDC • Intake Closes 39° ABDC • Exhaust Opens 47° BBDC • Exhaust Closes 1° ATDC • Overlap ≈ 0°
 
⚖️ LSA Power & Idle Characteristics
108° LSA: Tight, hard-hitting, and loud. Strongest midrange, aggressive lope, and instant throttle snap — perfect for hot street builds and light cars.
110° LSA (Standard): Balanced torque curve, deep rhythmic idle, and clean vacuum — ideal for true street/strip engines that want both sound and drivability.
112° LSA: Smooth torque delivery with more vacuum and a quieter idle; ideal for EFI conversions or heavier vehicles.
114° LSA: Flattest torque curve and best vacuum, very clean idle, perfect for power-brake setups and daily-driven combinations.
 
🏁 Performance Behavior
The Vortex 268 Street Performer transforms your small block Ford into a responsive, rev-happy powerhouse. Expect crisp throttle, immediate torque on tap, and a hard midrange pull that feels endless through 5,500 rpm. With a tight LSA, it snarls and shakes at idle — widen it, and it smooths out for refined drivability.
This is the most versatile cam in the Vortex small block lineup — a go-to grind for real-world street power.
 
🎯 Recommended Applications & Build Setup
Compression Ratio: 9.0:1 – 10.5:1
Induction: Dual-plane or air-gap intake; 650–750 CFM carb or EFI
Exhaust: Long-tube headers or high-flow manifolds
Gearing: 3.25 – 3.91 rear gears
Converter / Clutch:
Automatic: 2,200 – 2,600 rpm stall converter
Manual: Street/strip clutch rated ≥ 500 lb-ft torque
🔧 Valvetrain & Component Recommendations
Valve Springs: COMP 924-16 or equivalent dual spring
Seat ≈ 120 lb @ 1.850"
Open ≈ 320 lb @ .480"
Coil Bind Height ≈ 1.100" (maintain ≥ .060" clearance)
Retainers & Locks: COMP 742-16 retainers + 611-16 locks
Pushrods: 5/16" or 3/8" hardened chromoly (verify length and preload)
Lifters: Premium hydraulic flat tappet lifters (matched set)
Rocker Arms: 1.6:1 roller rockers recommended for additional lift and stability
Valve Seals: Positive Viton seals
Assembly Notes: Verify installed height, spring pressure, and retainer-to-rocker clearance
 
🧠 Installation & Break-In Notes
Use new lifters on every cam install. Degree to verify correct ICL (4° advanced). Use high-ZDDP break-in oil; run 2,000–2,500 rpm for 20–30 minutes. Recheck geometry, preload, and spring pressures after break-in.
 
💡 Why Choose the 268 Street Performer
The Vortex 268 Street Performer is the all-around favorite — aggressive enough to sound mean, refined enough to live in a daily-driven car. It’s the cam that gives you torque where you drive, lope where it counts, and reliability that lasts.
If you want real muscle and that unmistakable Red Line idle, this is your sweet spot.
 
🏆 The Red Line Cams Advantage
Red Line Cams brings over 35 years of hands-on camshaft design and engine-building experience. Every Red Line cam is crafted from OEM-quality cam cores, precision-ground, and individually inspected for performance accuracy and long-term durability.