VORTEX 226/234 UNDERCOVER — RETROFIT HYDRAULIC ROLLER
 
Small Block Chevy 262–400 CID
 
Includes Cast Hydraulic Roller Camshaft & Johnson 2116SBR Short Travel Link-Bar Lifters
 
226°/234° @ .050
• .328"/.349" Lobe Lift
• .492"/.558" Valve Lift
108° / 110° / 112° LSA Options
 
Overview
The Vortex 226/234 Undercover 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 aggressive midrange torque, strong throttle response, lopey street idle characteristics, and excellent upper RPM power while maintaining real-world street drivability.
 
With 226°/234° duration @ .050", the Undercover utilizes a split-duration design that improves exhaust scavenging and overall cylinder efficiency — especially beneficial for typical Small Block Chevy street heads and exhaust systems. The added exhaust duration broadens the torque curve while improving high-RPM breathing and maintaining excellent pump-gas street manners.
The .328"/.349" lobe lift design provides excellent airflow potential while remaining stable with properly matched street valvetrain components. When paired with recommended 1.6 ratio rocker arms, the cam produces .525"/.558" valve lift for increased cylinder filling and stronger top-end performance.
 
The included Johnson short-travel retrofit roller lifters improve hydraulic stability, reduce pump-up tendencies, and provide superior valve control compared to conventional retrofit hydraulic rollers.
Available in 108°, 110°, and 112° LSA configurations, the Vortex 226/234 Undercover can be tailored for a hard-lopey street machine, balanced street/strip combination, or smoother EFI-friendly setup with improved 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": 226° intake / 234° exhaust
Advertised Duration (@ .006"): ~256° intake / ~266° exhaust
 
Lift
Lobe Lift
.328" intake / .349" exhaust
 
Valve Lift
1.5 Rockers
.492" intake / .524" exhaust
 
1.6 Rockers (Recommended)
.525" intake / .558" exhaust
 
Valve Timing Events @ .050"
108° LSA
IO: 5° BTDC
IC: 41° ABDC
EO: 52° BBDC
EC: 2° ATDC
Overlap: ~7°
Characteristics
Hardest midrange torque hit
Deepest idle lope
Fastest throttle response
Best for aggressive street/strip combinations
 
110° LSA (Standard Street)
IO: 3° BTDC
IC: 43° ABDC
EO: 50° BBDC
EC: 4° ATDC
Overlap: ~3°
Characteristics
Broad torque curve
Excellent street manners
Strong throttle response
Best all-around street/strip setup
 
112° LSA
IO: 1° BTDC
IC: 45° ABDC
EO: 48° BBDC
EC: 6° ATDC
Overlap: ~0°
Characteristics
Smoothest idle quality
Strongest vacuum production
Excellent EFI compatibility
Ideal for overdrive street combinations
 
RPM Operating Range
2000–6400 RPM
 
Designed for aggressive street performance, strong midrange acceleration, and clean upper RPM power.
 
Performance Characteristics
Idle Quality
Aggressive street-performance lope
Strong exhaust presence without sacrificing drivability
Stable idle quality on 110° and 112° LSA configurations
Johnson short-travel lifters improve idle consistency and valve control
 
Torque & Power Delivery
Strong midrange torque production
Excellent throttle response
Improved exhaust scavenging from split-duration design
Broad usable powerband
Pulls hard through the upper RPM range
 
Drivability
Excellent street/strip manners
Compatible with power brakes on 110° and 112° LSA setups
Works well with carbureted or EFI systems
Stable hydraulic roller operation at elevated RPM
Excellent part-throttle responsiveness
 
Recommended Valvetrain Components
Valve Springs
Recommended:
130 lbs seat pressure
~350 lbs open pressure
Examples:
Comp 986-16
PAC-1218
Equivalent dual springs
 
Lifters
Included:
Johnson 2116SBR Short Travel Link-Bar Lifters
Benefits:
Short-travel hydraulic design
Improved high-RPM 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)
1.7:1 optional with proper clearance verification
 
Minimum Clearances
Retainer-to-seal clearance: .550" 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: 2500–2800 RPM
Rear Gear: 3.55–3.73
 
Best Use
Street/strip combinations
Muscle cars
Weekend performance builds
 
108° LSA — Aggressive Street/Strip
Stall Converter: 2800–3200 RPM
Rear Gear: 3.73–4.11
 
Best Use
Aggressive street cars
Hard-launching combinations
Weekend race builds
 
112° LSA — EFI / Overdrive
Stall Converter: 2200–2500 RPM
Rear Gear: 3.31–3.55
 
Best Use
EFI-equipped vehicles
Highway cruisers
Overdrive street combinations
 
Best Engine Applications
Small Block Chevy 262–400 CID
Retrofit hydraulic roller conversions
Carbureted or EFI systems
9.5:1–11.0:1 compression ratios
350 & 383 street/strip engines
327 hot rods wanting aggressive idle quality
Mild nitrous or blower combinations
Muscle cars, street trucks, and weekend race cars
 
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.