Im doing an engine rebuild in the near future, and keep it close to the 350 displacement, and i have been browsing for performance parts for the engine etc.... I recently came by this LT4 Hot Cam kit, and was wondering if this is a good buy? LT4 Hot Cam Kit

I figured from GM performance, the cam should run in the rebuilt LT1 without issue, (granted me and my friend install them properly (he intends on getting one too for his '90 vette))

any other recommendations, as well as performance pistons/rods etc...?

 

ya, if you wanna make some actual power put in a real cam like a cc306. it will work fine with a stock engine. do headers and exhaust with a decent mail order tune and youll be pulling over 350 horse at the wheels. will cost you around 1000 bucks to upgrade to this, and the hotcam kit is like what 700 bucks.....

306 cam - 250 bucks
pushrods - 80
crane valvespring kit 10308- 160 bucks or so
misc crap - 200 bucks
tune - 150 bucks

its stupid NOT to do it

and you get that "potato potato potato potato" idle.hahaha

 

The Hotcam is a good kit for the price, but if you don't mind buying used parts you can build a kit for around the same price that will make alot more horsepower.

 

Did anyone else start saying potato out loud, then get a smile across their face?

 

Guilty!

 

lol....

 

Cam choice posts are like political discussions, you're going to get a dozen or more different answers. I have a street driver automatic, and a lot of bumper to bumper traffic (Atlanta area). My wife uses the car at times, and I have to pass GA sniffer (ODB1) emission testing. therefore the LT4 hot cam kit worked great for my application. It's passes emissions has a mild lump, nice sound, low end power increase, runs with no stall converter & stock heads, and I have an idle of 800 RPM in drive. IMO over 800 idle on an automatic in traffic requires a heavy brake foot. If conditions were different with an M6, ported heads, long tubes, and open roads I would absolutely go with a bigger performance grind cam. To be happy you need to make sure you match what you buy to what you plan to end up with. I have read the springs on this kit will wallow out above 6200 RPM, but it's not designed as a high rev power cam so it didn't bother my decision . The installation was easy (for an LT1 cam), no problems everything fit and worked on the stock heads. The self aligning 1.6 roller rockers adjusted easily and, they didn't create any false knock or require adding the LT4 KM.

 

What kind of power do you have at the wheels with this setup?

 

Not to worry, even when gunning it my engine hasnt gone over 5,000 rpm, and 800 rpm idle is good, right now im at 850 rpm at park idle (old engine with high miles) so when i rebuild that problem will be fixed. the type of power i want to push when im done with rebuild i want to be between 350-450 RWHP, to compete with the new camaros releasing soon. I intend on Performance pistons, rods, heads etc...

What i have right now is: MAC Mid length headers, Magnaflow Custom Exhaust, Air intake, Performabuilt Stage 2 Tranny.

What im buying soon is: MSD Pro-Distributor, MAF (current one is dead)

 

Most people with the hot cam kit and little head work make 320-350 RWHP.
If you are leaving stock heads i would guess around the 300-320 range.

 

My LT4 managed 362 RWHP with LT4 Hot Cam, some Head Work, JBA shorties, etc and a tune. Baseline stock was an even 300 HP. Goal was to stick with all GM parts except for the exhaust so LT's & a better cam might be around 390?

 

why not get some 1.6 rr's while your at it???

 

I got the HotCam kit and really enjoy it. For a car I drive every day, I think it is a ton of fun. I would recommend finding someone who has it and go for a spin. Where are you located?

 

there are many others cams out there that will provide more hp and tq with the same street manners and mpgs, idle, etc. I would look at comp cams 503 224/230, gm 846 222/230, comp cams 305 220/230. All of them would be a better choice.
If you want to make 350-450rwhp your going to needs aftermarket heads or have your stock ones ported. I would look at LE and AI packages. Either of their basic packages will meet your goals. They are also priced reasonably well for what your are getting.

 

I run a 2000 stall torque converter, so i shouldnt be facing any issues?