In a valve lift control system for engine intake valves which selectively changes an intake valve lift of an engine, and a phase angle relationship of a timing of opening the engine valve in relation with a crankshaft angle depending on the operating condition of the engine, an arrangement is made to limit the advancing of the opening timing of the engine valve when a large valve lift is selected. It is thus possible to limit the advancing of the timing of opening the engine intake valve only when the valve lift is increased, and the advancing of the timing of opening the engine intake valve may cause an interference between the engine intake valve and the corresponding engine piston. The valve opening timing is otherwise optimized, and the maximum performance of the engine can be attained under all possible circumstances.