Hello again all,
I have a ? for you guys and/or gals... I want to do a cam swap in my 95 Lt1. I dont want to really mess with doing anything on the heads, What is the best cam for stock valvetrain?? I just want to swap cams, thats all. I want just a little more mmph of power. Thanks In Advance!

 

I dont think theres a cam you can go to without swapping valve springs...I wouldnt even suggest the hotcam without a valve springswap.

 

you really cant do anything worth while without a valve spring swap because the stock valve springs are so sucky. hell they're maxed out with just the stock cam. and to really get the benefit of a new cam you'll want roller rockers for reduced friction and accuracy of ratio. you'll also want stiffer pushrods for reduced deflection and greater accuracy in valve action as the lifter follows the lobe. i guess what i'm telling you is sometimes the gains made from a cam swap arent just from the increased duration but from a BETTER valvetrain setup in every aspect. reduced friction increased valve control etc etc all makes more hp. the best way to look at any subsystem of an engine is as a whole system not just a collection of parts. the valvetrain runs from the timing chain and gears all the way to the wieght of the valves. and it has to be balanced accordingly. not only that but it has got to work with every other piece of the engine because its a system made of subsystems. which means you have to have all the supporting mods to get the most mmph out of a cam swap. and dont begrudge the supporting mods they add mmph all on thier own too.

 

The stock cam

If you want a bit more do a 1.6 RR install, then you'll be ready for a cam when you want one. Other than that do all bolt on's LT's, CAI, Catback, E-WP, Tune.

-Dustin-

 

wow thanks all! you really made me open my eyes! I have to do all the components in order to make it all work the best! thank you so very much!

 

the hotcam kit comes with everything you need and it has been proven time after time. It is a real good upgrade from stock and it is only about $500. It sounds good too. Be sure to do supporting mods first though, headers, cat back, cai, things like that. You will get much more out of the cam.

 

agreed

 

You didn't specify why you didn't want to mess with the valvetrain but if cost is one of your reasons (as it is with almost all of us ), then a cam might not be your best choice. You will also have to include the cost of the tune for the new cam, the fluids and gaskets needed to replace, and labor cost if you aren't doing it yourself. If you are going to do it yourself and were wanting to make it as easy as possible, one of the guys above made a good suggestion with 1.6 rr's. Hope this helps .

 

thats great! i really understand now. Then if the cost of a cam and gaskets, etc. is in fact out of my ballpark, what is the best bang for the buck. I am working with a budget of 1000.00 and doing the work myself. I definitely dont want NOS. any suggestions??

 

hotcam kit....$500 plus gaskets, seals, fluids,ect....You should be able to keep it under a grand pretty easy

 

honestly, best bang for the buck would have to be gears and tires! Installing a gear is a little tricky if its your first time...it gets exspensive letting other do the work. If you cant do it yourself then I think it would be tires and lca relocation brackets. If you wanna be quick!

Nitrous is in fact the best bang for the buck even though you dont want it. Why not?