LT4 Hotcam In LT1??
12-13-2009, 12:35 PM
#1
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LT4 Hotcam In LT1??
I am very sure this question has been asked time and time again, but here it goes. I've got a '96 Camaro Z28 with the LT1 and T56 6-speed, and I'm looking to turn it into a meaner-sounding car. The only mods I've done to it is Moroso cold air and Magnaflow exhaust. I know Summit Racing sells an LT4 hotcam with matching valve springs (GM PN 12480002) but I've been told this cam even with the springs can be nearly too much lift with the stock LT1 heads, but I've seen people install these without any problems in their LT1's. I plan to install a new timing set, as well as new pushrods while doing this. Also I'm going to install BBK ceramic headers and SLP loudmouth exhaust. Any input or opinions is appreciated.
12-13-2009, 12:53 PM
#2
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As long as you run LT4 valve springs you'll be fine.
It's a good budget cam, so if all you want is a little meaner sound and a little extra power in the powerband, it's a great choice.
That being said there are plenty of better cams out there if you want to spend a little bit more.
Don't forget atleast a mail order tune after installation.
It's a good budget cam, so if all you want is a little meaner sound and a little extra power in the powerband, it's a great choice.
That being said there are plenty of better cams out there if you want to spend a little bit more.
Don't forget atleast a mail order tune after installation.
12-13-2009, 12:54 PM
#3
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Who ever told you that ("nearly too much lift) is wrong. The HotCam kit was designed as a direct replacement for the stock cam/springs. The LT1 can safely handle a lot more valve lift than the HotCam provides.
The main problem I see with the kit, though, is the springs. If you crunch the numbers you'll find that the coil clearance at max valve lift is less that what's generally recommended. However, guys run that HotCam kit all the time with those springs.
One other thing, there are other cams considered to be "better" than the HotCam, but for the money, the HotCam kit is a good buy and will give you a performance boost.
Jake
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The main problem I see with the kit, though, is the springs. If you crunch the numbers you'll find that the coil clearance at max valve lift is less that what's generally recommended. However, guys run that HotCam kit all the time with those springs.
One other thing, there are other cams considered to be "better" than the HotCam, but for the money, the HotCam kit is a good buy and will give you a performance boost.
Jake
West Point ROCKS! Nation's TOP COLLEGE per Forbes Magazine!! Graduation Day Parade 20 May 2010!!!
12-13-2009, 02:37 PM
#4
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Cool. I was just told the extra flow with the extra duration and lift was more than what the LT1 could flow and still sound healthy. However, it's my belief that with my current intake and future exhaust setup and a little ECM programming I hope to open this car up a little bit.
12-13-2009, 02:39 PM
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12-13-2009, 04:29 PM
#7
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You'll get a noticeable performance boost from the kit. It's really not bad for the price. Isn't it like 450-500 for everything? The sound through a magnaflow exhaust will be pretty nice too. Have you considered doing headers-ypipe-gears-tune first though?
12-13-2009, 05:14 PM
#8
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Yeah, I plan on switching exhausts to the SLP Loudmouth I system, as this is obnoxiously loud and would give my Camaro the sound it needs to not only look like a beast, but to sound like one as well. I've got an '85 El Camino with a 454 BBC and it makes my Camaro sound like a little guy. I'm just looking to ultimately give it a slightly heavier idle without giving up too much low-end torque.
12-13-2009, 07:53 PM
#9
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I ran the hotcam in my 97 ss with shorty headers and loudmouth. sounded great, ran great and it had nice street manners.My best 1/4 mile time was like 12.6 @114 and that was through a 6speed trans and 9 inch rear.Deff a great budget cam
12-13-2009, 11:57 PM
#11
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I like my hot cam. It runs strong; even running incorrectly it is faster than stock srt8s, if I can just get mine to run correctly it has more than enough power and sounds great. It was too loud with my loudmouth and headers, so I change the resonator to a moroso spiral flow. You will be happy with it, for the extra cash a custom cam will be better. There are a lot of sound clips of the lt4 hotcam on youtube.
12-16-2009, 05:27 PM
#12
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My HOT cam has been in over 11 years. Mine needed to be tuned badly running the stock computer. It was incredibly lean. When I had it on the dyno, it bucked so badly you could see it moving up and down. Back then nobody did OBDII programming, so mine has been with a 95 computer for about 10.5 years. Tuned of course 
Passed emissions and got a best of 12.4@111 through a 12 bolt. Gears really help also. Since you have a M6, 4.10's are perfect.
Passed emissions and got a best of 12.4@111 through a 12 bolt. Gears really help also. Since you have a M6, 4.10's are perfect.
