LT1 Based Engine Tech 1993-1997 LT1/LT4 Engine Related

which for me? Hotcam or EX224/230

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Old Nov 20, 2003 | 01:43 AM
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Sanger's Avatar
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which for me? Hotcam or EX224/230

I'm debating as to which cam I should go with. This will go in after headers, but I'm still debating on which is best for me. I'm lookin for more power of course and want more topend. Heads will stay stock for now though, so consider that. Stall is stock as well. Will a 224/230 be too much trouble for me driving around town and highway? Should I just stick to a hotcam?
Old Nov 20, 2003 | 01:54 AM
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Well, my little brother put a Hotcam kit plus ported heads on his full exhaust 96 Z28. He went with this cam for the "driveability" since he drives a good distance each day. Now his car is FAST. It runs consistent 8.2s with stock fuel setup. This car with some fuel upgrades and some drag radials/ET streets will be in the 7s. It dynoed 340rwhp with a 2500rpm stall convertor, so obviously this cam makes good power.

BUT, he is always kicking himself in the as$ because he didn't go a little more wild on the cam. He said that he is happy with the cam but should of gone bigger.
Old Nov 20, 2003 | 01:59 AM
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Thanks texas! Anyone have input on the 224/230 cam for me? How about smogging also. I'm gonna leave the emissions on my car as well as run cats on the LT headers.
Old Nov 20, 2003 | 06:13 AM
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I love my 224/230 setup. Great driveability, awesome powerband and torque curve. With a good set of ported heads about 360-370 and more seems to be the norm that I've seen.

I hate my car though. It doesn't run right.
Old Nov 20, 2003 | 06:24 AM
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Originally posted by texasTA

.

BUT, he is always kicking himself in the as$ because he didn't go a little more wild on the cam. He said that he is happy with the cam but should of gone bigger.
I do that also after I installed my hot camm on my Imp. I should have gone with the cam asked about. Thought I was gonna loose low end with big car. It you set the drivetrain right you want loose nothing but money buying new tires
Old Nov 20, 2003 | 08:41 AM
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XE 224/230 all the way. The cam has serious *****. It looks like one of the best performers if you're staying NA on a stock bottom end. The car loses just a pinch of torque down low, but once you hit 2500 it starts pulling like a ****.

You will have no problem city driving or laying into it on the highway
Old Nov 20, 2003 | 08:47 AM
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I'm running the XE 224/230 and I don't have any problems below 2500. Hell, I have problems with tirespin @ 1800rpm...but I'm also running 4.10s in my M6...


...but of course, like everyone else, I'm always wondering "what if I went a little bigger?" I'm really curious how a 230/236 drives now...blah.
Old Nov 20, 2003 | 09:06 AM
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Originally posted by SGFuryZ
I'm running the XE 224/230 and I don't have any problems below 2500. Hell, I have problems with tirespin @ 1800rpm...but I'm also running 4.10s in my M6...

That what I meant about setting the drivetrain up. No regrets if done right.

...but of course, like everyone else, I'm always wondering "what if I went a little bigger?" I'm really curious how a 230/236 drives now...blah.
A few in the b- body community run this cam with about 2700-3000 stall speed and get good #s. I seen one that used 1.5 RRs and still got 340hp on stock untouched heads. Put the 1.6s on and you got a monster in a f-body. Im looking to do this cam on my Z for the furture. I want make the mistake twice and saying I should have went bigger.
Old Nov 20, 2003 | 10:38 AM
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I'm happy with the performance I've gotten out of the hotcam for now, it makes pretty nice power. I will probably go with something bigger in the future though when I get the heads done. Also, I think it sounds great with full exhaust and no cats
Old Nov 20, 2003 | 10:41 AM
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The HotCam and the 224/230 are almost the same cam. You're not gonna feel the difference except from the set-up of you car has to complement it.

As far as driveability the HotCam is a good street cam. But like I said they're almost the same cam.
Old Nov 20, 2003 | 10:46 AM
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Originally posted by Newbie97
A few in the b- body community run this cam with about 2700-3000 stall speed and get good #s. I seen one that used 1.5 RRs and still got 340hp on stock untouched heads. Put the 1.6s on and you got a monster in a f-body. Im looking to do this cam on my Z for the furture. I want make the mistake twice and saying I should have went bigger.
Well, mine's an M6 (six-speed). Ooooh, that makes sense now. I was getting depressed for a minute when I read that people dynoed their LT1's running 224/230 cams @ 340-360 rwhp. But you just claified with stock heads, etc. I've got fairly well-ported/polished heads, 1.6 RRs, twin 58mm T/B, and every little bolt-on imaginable (save for nitrous or a blower). I'm hoping I'm at least making 400 rwhp, or at least close to it...
Old Nov 20, 2003 | 10:55 AM
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So if I was to get the 224/230 cam, will I be alright with my stock stall for now being? Or will it just grenade my auto tranny?
Old Nov 20, 2003 | 10:59 AM
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Originally posted by Sanger
So if I was to get the 224/230 cam, will I be alright with my stock stall for now being? Or will it just grenade my auto tranny?
Get a stall. You will need it. You want toast the tranny buy you want get the power from the cam at all. You burn these trannys up by racing (high reving) and doing alot of burnouts
Old Nov 20, 2003 | 11:03 AM
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A couple of things here....

SGFuryZ- It sounds like you have a pretty healthy set-up. Pretty close to mine actually, but the 224/230 won't break the 400rwhp barrier NA. You should hit closer to 370.

S.J.S.- The Hotcam is considerably smaller than the 224/230. (CC503). The 224/230 has more duration and alot more lift, .536/.544 actually. The Hotcam is 218/228 at .050 and maximum of .525/.525 lift, closer to the specs of the CC502.

Sanger- As mentioned already IMO the 224/230 is the best cam for a 350 that needs to be streetable and pass emissions. Go with it! I almost wish I would have went bigger...
Old Nov 20, 2003 | 11:11 AM
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Another vote for the 224/230 here. I would always recommend it over the Hotcam, its just a better design...more aggressive/modern lobes, and it is actually smaller than the hotcam at very low lift, which improves driveability at part throttle.



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