For GM LS Engines: LS1 · LS2 · LS3 · LS6 · LQ4 · LQ9 · LS-based 5.3L & 6.0L
SMALLER BACE CIRCLE
💥 Overview
 
The Vortex 218 Torquer is the street-level powerhouse of the Vortex lineup — engineered for maximum low-end torque, rapid throttle response, and that hard-hitting idle that LS owners love. Designed for both trucks and performance street cars, this cam delivers relentless bottom-end punch and strong midrange power without sacrificing reliability or everyday drivability.
With 218°/218° duration @ .050" and a versatile range of lobe separation angles (106°–114°), the 218 Torquer lets you custom-tailor your LS build for exactly the driving style you want — from tight, lopey street aggression to smooth, high-vacuum EFI refinement.
Whether your goal is a tire-twisting street truck, a cammed weekend cruiser, or a daily-driven sleeper, the Vortex 218 Torquer delivers torque you can feel.
 
⚙️ Camshaft Specifications
 
Duration @ .050": 218° Intake / 218° Exhaust
 
Advertised Duration (@ .006"): 274° Intake / 274° Exhaust
 
Valve Lift (1.7:1 Rockers): .550" Intake / .550" Exhaust
 
Available Lobe Separation Angles: 106° · 108° · 110° · 112° · 114°
 
Installed Intake Centerline (ICL): 4° advanced (LSA – 4°)
 
RPM Range: 1200 – 5800 RPM
 
Idle Quality: Varies by LSA (From Choppy to Smooth)
 
Ideal Use: Street / Street-Strip / Torque-Biased Builds
 
 
 
🧭 Valve Timing Events @ 0.050" Lift
 
106° LSA (ICL = 102°)
Intake Opens: 10° BTDC
 
Intake Closes: 28° ABDC
 
Exhaust Opens: 39° BBDC
 
Exhaust Closes: 9° ATDC
 
Overlap: ≈19°
 
Character: Extremely choppy idle, brutal torque hit, strongest midrange — best for strip builds or light cars
 
 
 
108° LSA (ICL = 104°)
 
Intake Opens: 8° BTDC
 
Intake Closes: 30° ABDC
 
Exhaust Opens: 37° BBDC
 
Exhaust Closes: 7° ATDC
 
Overlap: ≈15°
 
Character: Aggressive idle, fast throttle response, ideal for torque-heavy street/strip builds
 
 
 
110° LSA (ICL = 106°)
 
Intake Opens: 6° BTDC
 
Intake Closes: 32° ABDC
 
Exhaust Opens: 35° BBDC
 
Exhaust Closes: 9° ATDC
 
Overlap: ≈11°
 
Character: Balanced street cam — lopey, responsive, and perfectly streetable
 
 
 
112° LSA (ICL = 108°)
 
Intake Opens: 4° BTDC
 
Intake Closes: 34° ABDC
 
Exhaust Opens: 33° BBDC
 
Exhaust Closes: 11° ATDC
 
Overlap: ≈7°
 
Character: Smooth idle, high vacuum, excellent drivability and EFI tune stability
 
 
 
114° LSA (ICL = 110°)
 
Intake Opens: 2° BTDC
 
Intake Closes: 36° ABDC
 
Exhaust Opens: 31° BBDC
 
Exhaust Closes: 13° ATDC
 
Overlap: ≈3°
 
Character: Cleanest idle, widest powerband, best for boosted or daily EFI builds
 
 
 
🔩 Recommended Valvetrain Components
 
Valve Springs: 130–140 lbs seat / 360 lbs open minimum (PAC 1218 or Comp 26918 recommended)
 
Pushrods: Hardened 5/16" chromoly (7.400-7.500”) VERIFY PRELOAD
 
Lifters: GM LS7 or equivalent
 
Rocker Arms: Stock 1.7 acceptable; trunnion upgrade recommended
 
Timing Set: Adjustable double-roller for precise ICL advance
 
 
 
 
🏁 Recommended Torque Converter & Gearing
 
Street/Strip (106°–108° LSA)
Converter Stall: 2600–3200 RPM
 
Rear Gear: 3.73–4.10
 
Character: Hardest launch and torque hit, aggressive lope
 
 
 
Street Performance (110° LSA)
Converter Stall: 2200–2600 RPM
 
Rear Gear: 3.42–3.73
 
Character: Perfect street balance of idle sound and torque
 
 
 
Street EFI / Boost (112°–114° LSA)
Converter Stall: 2000–2200 RPM
 
Rear Gear: 3.23–3.55
 
Character: Smooth idle, high vacuum, ideal for daily-driven EFI or mild forced induction setups
 
 
 
🔧 Best Applications
5.3L, 6.0L, and 6.2L LS street or strip builds
 
Perfect for trucks, muscle cars, and hot street sleepers
 
Works great with stock or ported cathedral-port heads
 
Compatible with EFI or carb conversions
 
Ideal compression: 9.0:1 – 10.5:1
 
Supports nitrous, turbo, or supercharged combos
 
 
 
The Vortex 218 Torquer –Street torque. Race sound. Real-world performance.