Looking at installing my hot cam and mildly ported stock heads over the winter,
but I have heard so many people say they had wished they had gone for a larger cam.I am not looking to build a race car,but would like the best results.The car
weighs 3750 lbs w/driver,a 3.42 gear and a 2000 stall converter and full exhaust.
I was just thinking about selling the hot cam and buying the cc503 but was wondering if it was worth it.Also emissions is a factor.Thanks

 

You'll want a bigger stall converter and better springs than the LT4 springs if you go with a CC503 or bigger. So it's going to cost you quite a bit more than just the cost of the Cam if you've already set your car up for the hotcam.

I'm running a 306, which is a bit bigger than a 503, and I use a 3200 stall and 918's with 3.73's.

 

Both the hotcam and cc503 have similar characteristics but the 503 will make more power. Both will pass emissions if you have it and still retain good low end torque on the street. I will suggest that you upgrade the torque converter to match the camswap to something like a 2800-3000 stall. The torque converted itself will make more of a gain then the cam swap and will wake your car right up. The 503 cam and ported heads should net your 350-360rwhp on a strong running pending the port work.

 

Yet another example of the 'BIGGER IS BETTER' way of thinking that so many sign onto. Thinking that more duration and valve lift will be BETTER than what they're currently running.

Many times the guys will call a cam company, like CompCams, Lunati, etc., and talk with a tech rep. The rep recommends a cam but the prospective buyer doesn't believe in the recommendation. So he comes away disappointed and complaining about the tech service he received.

Bigger ain't always better. What you gain UP TOP you generally lose down low since the power band with a longer duration cam moves the power band UP.

Next comes RATIONALIZATION where those who moved to longer duration cam feel ABSOLUTELY DETERMINED to defend their choice, rarely willing to admit their selection was wrong. It's a Human Nature, a psychological thing.

Most reputable sources have at least one thing in common, they say the most common mistake made is guys who over-cam their engines! It's a trap that so many fall into.

The internet is LOADED with BAD and INACCURATE/INCORRECT informatinon so you have to be REALLY selective in what you believe and what you don't. Takes time, but doing your homework is essential.

Decide on whose advice you respect and feel is reliable and follow it. Even now, with all the years I've been screwing on these suckas, that's what I do and recommend.

Jake

West Point ROCKS! Nation's TOP COLLEGE per Forbes Magazine!! Graduation Day Parade 20 May 2010!!!

 

I agree. While I initially opted for the 306 back in the late winter/early spring of this year for it's bigger duration and higher lift... I ended up really wanting to gain up top for a couple of reasons. My car will be at the track, but it will be street driven 99.9999% of the time. The car already had too much low end power for the street. Couldn't hook to save my life. The top end power gains were in the back of my mind because I needed to gain more on the top end to keep up with the modded LSX's and the forced induction cars. The 306 was going to give me enough of a low end gain but the 4k+ rpm gain was the biggest thing. The 3200 stall takes away any shortcomings in the low end department. Only thing I'm wondering about it reving to 6300 on my stock bottom end.

 

The 503 is a better cam but you'll need better springs. It costs more so it just depends on your budget. If your going to spend as much as it costs for a 503, you might as well look at other cams as well.

What's your budget and goals? Drivability? Horsepower #'s?

 

There is no more money to spend.The car is almost finished.It was just an
after thought to upgrade the cam slightly,and it would have to be a direct
swap.The 503 does not seem that much bigger to me,does everyone agree
that the hot cam springs are not good enough?I would also prefer to keep
the shift rpm below 6300.

 

I think everyone will agree that the hot cam springs are inadequate..even for the hot cam....

 

GM engineering, and the thousands of successful installs of LT4 hot cam + LT4 springs will disagree with you.

 

Well, Mr. Original Poster, there you have it. We can't agree that the springs are inadequate or not.

Might as well do your research in multiple places and decide on your own.....

 

For a CC503 you're going to want better springs and a bigger stall converter. So with no additional money to spend you're not going to want to change cams at this point in your build. The hotcam will be a nice improvement in power and it will also be very street friendly.

 

not going to get us started on the lighter LT4 valves are we?

 

Nope..... can't argue with the thousands of succesful installs, even though I could argue with the other parts of the statement...chuckle!

 

Im running a crane 227.....sounds stock, drives stock and runs 12.7's @ 110ish mph.

I miss the lope of my old 847 and the crazy 7k rpm top end every now and again but my car is a DD so I couldnt live with it.

But i agree with the statement about the springs.....they may adequate for a hotcam but more performance can found by using a better spring. But yeah...........they'll work....... But if it were me I would feel better knowing I had slightly better springs.

 

You're going to have to shift the CC306 much higher to see good gains, like 67-6800. I shifted my 'lil hotcam at 6400 for best results.

OP, I bought my "new" LT1 with a Hotcam already installed. I've had the CC306 and a 240/244 .595/.595 110lsa cam in other LT1 cars but the Hotcam was always the most fun on the street. I'm keeping the Hotcam in the new car. As for springs, I always try to get a bit stronger spring than necessary just for peace of mind. Good luck,

Larry