LT4 Hotcam kit is my 1st choice for price and performance. Can the kit be beaten in price by any other combination like proform rockers, hotcam, lt4 springs bought separately? Please list your budget cam package. Thanks.

 

The hotcam kit, despite being around for over a decade, is still the best budget cam package using new components. Add on a timing set and a tune and you're ready to rock for around $800. You could probably piece together something cheaper using used parts though. Cheaper yes, but comes with risks of course.

 

Used (mild lobe/lift) cam about $200
crane 10308-1 kit $225

But with the limits this would impose, I would say the hotcam package is probably better as it would be "complete."

Used cam $200
10308 springs $225
PRW SA 1.6 3/8 rockers $190

That one ain't bad.

I have bought:
used LE2 cam $195
new gold extreme springs $270
NSA pro mags/7/16"/1.6s w/ guideplates/studs $250

All I need is pushrods.

Problem with aftermarket rockers/springs is the possibility of needing new pushrods. If you end up needing a different size then you'd be kinda pissed if you skimped on the rockers and didn't go 7/16" and NSA cause for only $40 more you would have had a much better setup good for higher rpms.

 

Is the timing set a requirement for a hotcam? I was just going to inspect my chain and reuse if possible. My car has 102xxx on the clock but I have babied it since I bought her.

 

It's always a good idea since you are in there.

If you want get a traditional SBC timing set and an electric water pump. That's probably what I'll do.

(same price as a GM replacement set)

 

The LT4 kit springs are insufficient for the heavier LT1 valves.
The rockers are lift limited and wont support much of an upgrade later.

When I was 10 years younger I looked for "budget" stuff. These days I realize there is a BIG difference between budget and VALUE and go for value. Aiming for some overkill is almost always much cheaper than a pile of "good enough for now".

 

And you can get almost everything that'll give you tons of room to grow used and get the Value he speaks of. That's what I did.

My cam swap is costing me ≈$800 and it'll handle way more than the lt4 kit for only $200 more. (than it's new price)

 

You don't want to go all the way in there and not replace a timing set that has 102k miles on it ...or do you?

 

Bull****.

GM has been selling this kit specifically for installation on LT1 engines for 15 years and there are thousands if not tens of thousands of successful installs.

 

LT4 springs - not insufficient or bulls*** -- The LT4 springs give you more lift (.56 vs .52 coil bind), as well as more closed pressure (101 vs 85) but because they have a lower rate (332 vs 373), the open pressures can be virtually identical (lift dependent, max pressure at bind would be 287 vs 279.) The LT4 made the extra rpm not due to the springs but due to much lighter valves (appx 30% less). So for valve control at higher rpms, the LT4 spring will not be much better than LT1.

 

zz4 cam (note it is speced with 1.5 rocker arms)
10185071 - GM Performance Parts Hydraulic Roller Camshafts Details
This hydraulic roller tappet is used on the 5.7-liter H.O. 350 ZZ3 & 4 engines. The duration at lash point in degrees (intake/exhaust) is 275/280; duration at .050" tappet lift (intake/exhaust) is 208/221; and maximum lift with 1.5:1 rocker ratio (intake/exhaust) is 474/501. Valve lash is zero/zero and lobe centerline is 112 degrees.
$219.00

lunati springs
Lunati #638-73943
Single Springs 1.266'' OD
$59.99


JEGS #555-20145
Aluminum Roller Rocker Arms
1.6 Ratio
3/8'' Stud
16/pkg
$249.99

zz4 cam wouldnt be my first choice, but i think it would make for a good budget cam with the 1.6 rocker arms.. would be a good cam for upto around 5800-6000rpm with the 1.6 rocker arms.. can probably get a used one or one that someone replaced with something else pretty cheap..

i like the looks of the voodoo cams from lunati..

 

I ordered a custom grind from LE. It was 320 + 225 for pac 1218 springs, comp 611 locks, 795 retainers(shipped from speedinc). Add another 300 for rockers and 75 for a timing chain. If you need pushrods they run 100 but most stock 94/95 cars have hardened rods from the factory.

So for 925-1000 you could get another 15hp on top of what the hotcam makes.

 

If you're gonna do that you might as well do the AI total cam package for $1195. But neither of these are "budget."

 

I have heard the same news about the LT4 springs being insufficient even w/ just the LT4 rockers on a stock cam because of the heavy weight LT1 valves. On the stock cam its pretty safe, but the LT4 hot cam you are really pushing it.

The way I see it, if I miss a shift and I'm already on the edge of safe w/ the LT4 cam, springs and rockers your pretty close to being toast. At least w/ some nice springs you marginally stand a better chance of avoiding that float and perhaps surviving blowing your motor at 6k rpm. The difference may be small but it could mean blowing your motor or not.

 

You could say the same about over-revving a stock motor. That's no reason to discount it completely.