I am thinking about getting a hot cam kit for my 97 Z but i want to upgrade the cam to the next best cam. What would the next best be. I drive my car a couple times a week, its not my everyday driver. I want lopey but nothing crazy. I really just want it to sound good, i have jet hot long tubes with no cats so im looking for that badass lope at idle. any advice would be great!

 

Its my understanding that the springs included in the hotcam kit can only support the hotcam, once you go with anything that has more lift, the springs can't handle it. So, since you are not looking for something you might wanna stick with the hotcam and possibly lower your idle a tad with tuning and you'll get a nice little lope.

 

screw the hotcam kit, unless you realllly want the hotcam. a popular cam that is close to a hotcam and makes some more power would be the comp cams XE224/230. the 224/230 isn't far from the hotcam in drivability. it's practically the same. if you only drive the car a couple days a week, i'd go with at least the 224/230 Xe grind on a 112lsa. you can use the cran valespring kit, which is a pretty good setup. http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/2065...tainer-Kit.htm
really though, custom cams are a great deal, but plan on spending 550 for the good cam and best valvesprings

 

also, i have no idea if you have an a4 or m6, but the 224/230 would work great on either. make sure you get the 112lsa if you get the xe224/230. but for the really badass lope, the cc306 is nice for an m6. it will suck on stock heads, but probably still be better than a hotcam and it will sound awesome. but i think the 224/230 112lsa sounds perfect for you. also, pick up a set of comp cams pro mag roller 1.6 rockers (7/16 stud) and a set of matching 7/16 arp rocker studs. use gm guideplates and you are set for a damn good setup

 

The Comp Cam would definately be a better choice, but I'm happy with my Hotcam kit. I've put 30,000 miles on it in about 16 months, and it's a super all-around cam. The torque loss at low RPM's is nonexistant, contrary to what most people will tell you. I will say the idle isn't all that lopey, but I have mine idling at 850 so that probably smooths it out a little. Times are in sig., and for a 3,700 pound car I'm happy. I just got back from the track tonight and ran about 15 13.2x's @105.5 which was good enough to outrun an Audi S6, a T/A, an LT-4 Corvette,(almost outran a modded STI, but his 1.6X short times killed me) and a slew of other cars that were there. The weather sucked, but it was a good time none the less. If you're looking for a nice lope and good power I would suggest the Comp, but the Hotcam is a great street cam IMHO.