Still keeping the stock manifolds, I plan to do this kit and a good tune. What can I expect from it? Will it have the top end of an LS1?

Or should I just get a set of Hooker LT's instead?

One or the other I'm buying one.

 

well sooner or later your going to want to do both so my suggestion would be to do the hookers first so your car breeths better cause the stock manifolds suck!! then do the lt4 hot cam kit later on!

 

I remember reading somewhere that the Hotcam was actually designed by GM for racing applications where top end was needed from 3000 rpm to 6500 rpm keeping the rest of the car stock except for the kit. This would include keeping the manifolds. I read it in a post a few days ago. I'll try to find it.

Jay

 

You should be able to easily run with LS1's with the cam kit. To me headers can be before or after it doesn't matter. Either way you KNOW you'll get a good gain out of them once they're installed.

- Brent

 

I did the hotcam kit before headers, and I still got easily the best gain for the buck! SOTP feel changed - it doesn't kick you in the pants off the line, but as the rpms rise, you feel something pushing you into the seat harder and harder - and it only gets stronger all the way to 6500rpms or so.

I strongly recommend a good tune to get the most gains, though. $100 at www.pcmforless.com, he's got a great hotcam program from what others say.

With my m6 95z28 with cai, exhaust, hollowed cat, and hotcam kit+tuning, I ran with my friend's 2000SS (stock except for lid), and was dead even with him up to 90mph.

Once my headers are done, I should get an even bigger gain - as it'll really wake up the cam. I'll be roasting a certain 2000SS soon, very soon.

Anyhow, there are a lot of people here who say the hotcam is "too small", and they'll try to push the cc306 on ya. (just you watch). But for $450 for 1.6 rockers, new valvesprings, and the cam, you can't beat the deal.

headers/cam first, its really your call. I personally thought it would be funner to do the headers later, to get 2 huge sotp gains, each greater than the next.

good luck - post back and let us know what you decide.

 

With stock manifolds? No.

I'd go for some nice headers first (shorties are fine contrary to common belief), and once you get the Hotcam your going to have to worry about tuning, so I'd save that for next.

 

IMO, i'd do the headers first. If you do the cam first, you gotta tune. Then, the headers, more tuning to get the max HP with the cam. You might as well do the headers first(no tune needed really), then the cam with tuning!!! It'll save you in the long run.
Just my .02!!
Jason

 

you should talk to Swingrrrr or 96Whitey on www.gcfba.org
Swingrrr has the Hot cam with no headers right now, matter of fact, we are bolting up some LT's from JetHot just as soon as he gets them. He got a good gain, sounds awesome even with no headers. But He wont pull an LS1. But 96Whitey put down around 290 with Macs/ no cats and bolt ons. He then did the LT4 HC and with no tuning dynoed 337 RWHP. He went 8.19 in the 1/8th on Nittos with MAC's/LT4 HC, Bolt ons and stock heads. So if it were me, and i knew that i was not doing heads, i would bolt the headers up first and then do the cam. Scoggin Dickey has it for like 499.00, you might find it cheaper though.

 

The Hot Cam Kit is an extremely worthwhile mod for the $$$$. But one thing that is a must after the cam is a good tuning. My car is running so rich right now that I'm barely beating bolt on LT1s, let alone any LS1s. IF u can't afford headers with ur hot cam kit, AT LEAST be sure to do it when u have money for tuning as well.

 

I dont see how you guys are saying with the cam you cant outrun a stock LS1. With my mods now, I pull my buddies 2000SS by a good car length or so. When I do my cam install, I will really wax him. Some cars must run better than others I guess.