Thanks for looking...

I was wondering why my braking sucked, well I've asked a few people and I was told 30 c/Hg (12.5 in/Hg) is too low of a vacuum, so I'm guessing my engine isn't making enough vacuum to keep the brakes feeling good.

So here's my thoughts, this happened when I put the hotcam kit in, so is it possible that my cam is slightly off? I put it back in the way it came out, or so I thought. Well the cam gear was at 6 o'clock and the Crank gear was at 12 o'clock, this would be correct, right? If that's right then do you think I should 'degree' the cam? Is that even necessary?

I'm sorry for the millions of questions, I've just bought everything related to the brakes to try to fix it so I'm tired of spending money on things not needed!

Could the low vacuum (If it is low) be causing to **** poor gas mileage? Not to mention my 02's don't seem to be working...

MAN, thanks.

 

12.5 isnt that bad but maybe a bit high for a hotcam. my 224/230 110lsa idles at around 14 inHg and i definitely get a mushy pedal feeling on hard braking.

 

Thanks for replying. I was wondering if I should get a vacuum canister? Would that help? I wish I could hear from other Hotcam users so I could get their take on it. It seems everyone else with this cam is having no problems at all with their pedal.

That's why I was wondering if the cam IS off? Is this even possible? If so how easily could I've mis-aligned the cam? I mean I installed it with Cyl#1 a TDC, what else could've I missed?

Any replied would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

No brake pedal issues with my hotcam. 12.5 inches is more than enough to run the brakes.
Possible leak to the brake booster?????

 

Our Hotcammed 96Z dials up 14.5 to 15.5 inches of vaccum, no brake issues, (they feel like stock).

Check you vaccumm booster hose.

 

man ive had the same problem since i did my hotcam install. i just learned to deal with it. i tried eveything though. i bled the system, bought new pads, got new lines. non eof it worked. if you find the problem let me know.

 

Did u replace ur Lifters with the cam install?

I made the mistake of NOT replacing them and my vacuum was all over the place. Went with some Comp Cam R Lifters and everything was back to normal and running well.

 

I noticed a bit of a decrease in brake feel after I installed the HC kit, nothing major though. I've never checked the vacuum #'s, another tool I need to get

 

How did you measure vacuum? How did you convert from "cm" to "in"..... 30cmHg = 11.8"Hg.... worse than you thought.

 

Just a thought,how did you adjust the rockers?

 

Iwas thinking rocker adjustment as well, however now I am interested - has anyone else had issues after not replacing lifters?

 

i believe if you increase closed TPS spark advance to around 28* or so that helps pull more vacuum at idle.

 

I lost vacuum and bottom end torque with the HOT Cam when I transplanted a 96 LT1 into my 81 El Camino. Changed back to a factory cam and solved my problems. Should have put in a Comp 304 cam but didn't because of time constraints in installation. This vacuum loss is probably the worst thing about the HOT Cam. Comp Cams told me that duration was the problem with the HOT Cam - too much of it!

This cam is used in 383 applications and many young guys like the "HOT" cam designation. If it didn't have that name on it would they have bought it?

 

Got a HOTcam here with ported heads and larger valves. Brake feel is stock. I didn't replace the lifters either, don't see how that could cause a problem seeing as how if there was a lifter problem it would most likely not pump up correctly and transfer less lift to the valve. Maybe I'm missing something, so correct me if I'm wrong.

John

 

Idle rpm and closed tps spark advance are good places to look at in the tuning if all else fails. It will make a difference.