I have a 1999 318 that I am going to be installing a camshaft in. What is the maximum lift the stock springs will handle nicely?

Thanks

They float the valves already at a little over 5000 so any bigger cam will float them even sooner.

BTW a cheap upgrade for a little better cam are the GM V6 valve springs and retainers, they are good to around .500 lift.

on the mag heads I have, their IH is 1.62", and coil bind is 1.1", so safely, you're looking at .480" MAX. they're also soft, about 70-80 lbs on the seat, and about a 260 lb/in rate, so you can't get very aggressive with the lobe. the GM 3100 springs/locks are similar in lift capacity (they are 1.6" IH on my same heads, coil bind at about 1.065-1.08",) but will be about 115-120lb on the seat and about 360lb/in rate.

there's a comp cams beehive that looks like it will work with the GM 3100 retainers, or if you use 2.2L chrysler retainers you can use a 1.4" diameter springs (hughes 1110's look like your best bet). I found some retainers meant for a GM LS motor (also 8mm stem) I was going to pick a few up to play with and see if that opens up more spring choices. there's a crane spring at summit, with a 1.55" installed height and line .935" coil bind height that should work with 2.2L retainers and shimming them up to get some decent lift before coil bind. they're over 400 lb/in, and a SB ford app.

also, my heads I run into seal-to lock interference at .54" lift, BTW.