go with a cc503 (xe224/230 112lsa)

 

+1 for the comp503, great off the shelf cam. If I was to do it again however I would go with a custom grind.

 

The LT4 hotcam is a great cam for the money. It makes a decent sound and can still pull good mileage. Really needs a set of headers, catback and CAI to work best though. I dont like the springs though. They are awfully soft, and as stated earlier, are pretty much maxed as it is. I would get the cam, and look into a different set of springs. Put those on with some rocker arms and you will be set

I tend to prefer the LT4 hotcam over a cam with a narrower split between the intake and exhaust when running with stock heads. The longer duration on the exhaust side helps a weaker (IOW stock) exhaust port do it's job better. A cam with a 6 degree split would be better suited for heads with a stronger E/I flow ratio, even though using either will work regardless.

 

I've heard a lot great things about the CC503. I don't have one and I don't personally know anyone who does, but it seems to be pretty popular online. I have a CC306, which will make more power than the 503 but is a bit older and peaks at a higher RPM. It can be tuned to be pretty street friendly. I have it running with ported heads, longtube headers, ory and then straight out. It's extremely loud and extremely mean sounding. Pulls great up top. I personally like the idea of a peaky cam in my LT1. They are already bottom end monsters, and for street driving, you don't need anymore bottom end.

 

From what I've seen/heard the LT4 springs are plenty fine for a hotcam/1.6 car or a stock cam/1.6 car but any more lift than a hotcam with 1.6 rockers and you should be looking at different springs.

 

Exactamundo. Those springs wont take any more, and I dont feel comfortable with 'barely enough'. I prefer a safety margin.

 

Alright, so here's another question: provided I install the LT4 hotcam, headers and exhaust, what do you recommend I use to fine tune my car? I'm not brave enough to use my computer to tune my M6, and the only programmer readily available is the Hypertech-III. I wouldn't think twice of spending $350 if it makes the cam a perfect fit, but any other ideas? I'm more of a carb tuning kind of guy.

 

The Hypertech won't tune for a non-stock cam, unless you get them to burn a custom module to insert into the tuner (OBD-II HPP's only). For wayyyyyyy less money, you could send your stock PCM to a mail-order tuner, and he can fix you up with the correct tune. Your combination would be fairly common, and easy for them to tune.

 

I've been sending my PCM's to Ion for a mail order tune so I could work out the kinks and break it in, then go for a dynotune with wideband.

 

Ion or PCMforless.com will set you up with the tune you need. I recommend downloading the software, picking up an AKMcable (www.akmcables.com), and loading it yourself. You'll also allow yourself much more diagnostic capability by scanning using Datamaster, Freescan, etc.

EDIT: Nevermind, you have OBDII. Boo!

 

Good point!

First, the generally recommended coil clearance at full valve lift is .060" between each coil. Yea, I know, there are lots of guys running with less, but that's what's generally recommended by the cam companies. I know some dirt track racers who run 'em as tight as .035" but they do break a spring now and then.

Now, if you decide to follow the cam companies' recommendation and if you crunch the numbers of the HotCam springs that come with the HotCam you'll see they fall below that .060" figure.

GM came up with those springs for that cam, so my thinking is they must feel it's okay, but, like you, I want some wiggle room.

Jake

West Point ROCKS! Nation's TOP COLLEGE per Forbes Magazine!! Graduation Day Parade 20 May 2010!!!

 

Remember you only get the .525 lift on a hot cam with 1.6 rockers (that are part of the kit)
The cam on it's own is only .490 lift

 

Cam is intended for 1.6 rockers. The springs just suck! Get something a little better at least...

I know I floated a set of LT4 springs on an LT4 hotcam. Afterwards I looked at the specs, and the open and closed pressures on those springs aren't the greatest either. I doubt I will ever use them again, except maybe on a stock cam.

 

I don't know what Hypertech ended up coming out with but I was one of the few that did their Beta cam program. It was terrible. I did like the scanner they were working on but the actual programming was not up to par.

I would imagine it would be a lot better 11+ years later but haven't touched any HPP product since.

 

there are plenty of cams that produce much more power. maybe a bit less "streetable" but streetable is a subjective thing. i have been running my GM LT4 kit with slp headers and a pcm4less tune for years. every mustang that i have boiled tires with-i have won. i like my old camaro.