I was wanting to buy this hot cam kit to up the ponies on my LT1 97' Z28. What else do i need to buy or replace on my engine to make this kit work...so i dont break stuff!is this kit worth the trouble? A zex nitrous kit is about the same price so I was wanting some advice..to see if the cam kit is worth the while...thanks

 

You really don't NEED anything else other than that kit and gaskets. Oh, and a tune. You will want to inspect your lifters, but most people have no problems reusing them. You will most likely want to replace your timing chain, but some people don't.

I would recomment upgrading to a double roller (such as Cloyes) because it is a much better piece and costs less. You would need to run an electric waterpump with it so it wouldn't cost less overall, but you will have a stronger set-up and make approx 10 rwhp and 10 rwtq more throughout the curve from it.

I am really happy with how my Hotcam kit turned out. It is a "smaller" cam, but since it is a daily driver that is what I was looking for. I am happy with how it perform and the power that I got from it.

 

I did lifters and new timing chain/gear when I did mine, as well as gaskets. Depending on how many miles are on your car, you might want pushrods too. A strong valvetrain is invaluable.

Make sure you get a good tune as soon as possible on that cam so that you can really bring out its potential. Mine didn't run all that well until it was tuned.

 

i thought the "Kit" has new lifters? Mine did... I also give the hot cam a thumbs up... for a "smaller" cam it is definitely nice.

The kit should have everything you will need. I didnt change my water pump (although i wish i would have now since it was probably really easy to do with all the other stuff out of the way.

 

Nope, the kit has the cam, 1.6 roller rockers, and springs. No lifters are included.

 

thanks for the heads up..i have 80,000 miles on my Z...and it is my daily driver...my water pump is starting to go , so I figured I would do all the work at the same time...right now I have a hypertech tune..which probably sucks..so i will def. have to get a diff tune...

 

Nope, no lifters in the kit. Josh, are you planning on getting another mechanical pump or going for the electric WP? If you are getting a waterpump anyway, you will actually save by getting a strong double roller timing chain and the electric waterpump that will keep you cooler and free up power. Just my $.02. Good luck!

 

For the timing chain setup, I went with the LT4 Xtreme Duty setup. No complaints so far. Also, this is a pretty common question. Try to do some searching on here and you'll find tons of stuff on this type of subject.

 

The one thing about the lt4 xt kit is that you will need to get an oversized crank gear from cloyes. After rebuilding the engine and putting on the new chain, there was roughly 1/2 inch of play on either side of the chain.

 

Really? I just ordered it the way it came and haven't had any problems with it. Why would they sell it with that much play in it. It's been such a long time since I've seen it, that I don't recall how much play it had.

 

I was just going to get a gm performance water pump because I heard you have to modify to use electric...I heard you have to get special belts when you use an electric...is this right...when i looked it didnt seem like electric was much cheaper...anybody got any input?

 

You do have to trim the fan shroud with the mezeire. I hear the CSI you just have to grind some on the stock water pump housing. The waterpump on an LT1 has nothing to do with the belt.

 

Correct, the CSI/CSR took me about 10 minutes with a sharpie and a dremel....no biggie.