I think the biggest thing that everyone likes about the the HC kit besides the price is the fact that it's e-check friendly. Not all of us have the luxory of not worrying about smog checks. Now, if someone would list some other bumpsticks that pass smog checks you would probably have more people with a wider selection of cams. Until another company comes along and makes a cam that can compete or outperform the LT4 and stay emissions friendly your going to continue to see people buy the hotcam. I'm interested in it for sure, I really don't care if the next 10-15 people have it in their cars. It's better than stock and I can pass e-check.

So what other cams will pass e-check and compete with the LT4? Kit or not.

 

any "small" cam will pass

 

My exact point Trey, what is considered "small" enough to pass? Is the Hotcam the largest "small" cam that will pass?

The point is that some/most of us do not have the proper information regarding cam choice that will pass emissions. What, in your opinion, would be the most radical cam that you could run and still be smog legal?

 

Here are some sound clips of a few different cams (hotcam, cc305,cc306 and xe230.

http://www.fierolt1.com/multimedia.htm

im going with the
XE230-236 @50
282/288 Adv. Dur
544/555 lift with 1.6

 

It has a lot to do with the complete set up (Intake System, Exhaust System, Heads, and cam overlap).

Overlap is what will throw raw HCs past the exhaust port.

 

I should also add that smog depends on state and regional laws. In Cali, it is very difficult to pass... however, if you live outside the main cities, the laws are much more lenient

 

I know Trey, and Im not trying to come off as a smart *** or anything. A buddy of mine just got the XE cam installed and it is just nasty as hell. Before the cam install he and I ran side by side. Now, he pulls me by 1 to 1.5 cars from 2nd to almost 4th gear. Another good thing about living here is that I need not worry about emissions.

 

I'm not saying what cam to get or not to get, whats best or worst-
but WTF is up with this "creative" thing and the "original" gig

EVERYTHING has been done 1000x in a chevy 350. taking a 350, and adding or subtracting 1* of durration does NOT make you a poineer!

Jim lab- there is a creativity if you want to call it that.

I dont think you can be "creative" with a 400hp CSB. In the words of mindgame, too many have "been there and done that" to the point where its basic and easy.

to say the hotcam (or any other off the shelf cam) is good or bad because "everyone else has it" is just beyond dumb. If it works and works well, why the **** not use it Why take the cam- do some guess work, make 10 less hp and say your creative?

Can I take grandma's chocolate chip cookies add an extra egg and be a culinary poineer? no!
Take one of the 10,000 recipies for choc chip cookies and make it damn it.

Making 400hp doesn't require creativity-
making 750NA hp-
now your "advanced" enough to make your own recipie. There really is no need for another recipie for choc chip cookies- only this one with 1/2 oz more sugar.


Keep in mind-
as strong as I come off about this its just an opinion. Some people like saying they have a custom ground cam. Me, I'd rather do it the way 1000 other people have and know i'm going to fast. There is obviously a reason why this is the standard. I'm in no position to start grinding my own cams and redesigning the most standard engine in the world.

 

Yeah, what Trey said.


No need to re-invent the wheel. I take it the HC and the CC305 are the biggest you can go with e-check?

 

From what I got from everybody, Hotcam and CC305 is the largest you can go and still pass emission. I have heard of one person on the board here passing with a CC306, but I think you have to lean out the A/F ratio so much you would be defeating the potential of the 306 cam.

 

I don't understand why so many people call the hotcam crap? so low 12's with stock idle and good brakes is bad? There are people with much larger cams running slower times.

 

Trey, Trey, Trey. I hope you arent getting to carried away with this. This isnt about being original or creative, Im just not gonna get a cam because its cheap, like the HC, and I dont give a damn about all the others that have it. All you guys can get the same cam and always wonder why you arent faster than the next guy. I on the other hand want a better cam. Is that a sin or illegal to do something different. Just because it hasnt been around as the HC, sure as hell doesnt mean its better. You guys get what everyone else has and let me roll up on you with the big XE and see what happens. There is plenty of **** in this world that just cam out and is doing really well and outperforms alot of stuff that has already has a strong foundation. Not just in cars but everything in life. Look at Dell computerts, the number one computer there is right now. Only been out for 5 years. So dont say just because the HC has been around longer means its the best. Its for people that dont know **** or cant afford a better cam and the other components for a cam install.

 

Only ~20 HP from a hotcam kit? Ok with my mods, would you guys say I would pick up around ~20+ horse power(is that rearwheel or crank that you're talking). I have the whole hotcam kit sittin under my bed(with 1.6RR)
Here are my mods..

1995 A4 Black Trans Am w/ 3.23's
No times yet....
Ran a 13.7 with only CAI

-APPEARANCE-
17" Eagle 077's Wrapped With Kuhmo Ecsta 275/40/ZR17, ASCD 2.5" Cowl Hood, Painted Brake Calipers

-ENGINE-
SLP CAI, MSD 6AL Ignition, Airfoil
Taylor over the valve cover wires
LT4 KnockMod, All Free Mods

-EXHAUST-
Edlebrock Shorty Headers, Gutted Cats
Hooker Cat Back

-HANDLING/DRIVETRAIN
Trango Shift Kit, 2400 Stall Converter
Tranny Cooler, Hotchkis Strut Tower Brace, Eibach 2" lowering Kit Polyurathane Bushings, Panhard Rod

 

The usual gains are 30-40 rwhp after tuning, if you already have the basic bolt-ons.

 

You wont see 30-40 rwhp from the HC. That is a joke. That would mean you would get like 80-90hp crankd. The hc is ****.