Before you ask, I've searched numerous times and I haven't really been able to find exactly what I'm looking for. I was going to PM Brent, but I feel like I annoy the crap out of him so I've decided to see what the LT1 Board thinks in general.

So here is the background:
I've got a '94 Z28 A4 that just rolled over 57,000 miles this past week. I just recently purchased the LT4 Hot Cam Kit from a local dealership because I was able to get the parts at cost. Now that I've done some reading online I've seen that a lot of people that have gone with the Hot Cam have actually kicked themselves in the butt and wanted to go bigger later.

My question is:

Is it at all possible to use the XE 224/230 with the rest of the Hot Cam Kit? I am figuring its going to need atleast new springs, but will everything else work?

I know I'm going to need a stall, I've got a Vigilante 2800 waiting to be put in, along with a B & M Tranny Cool that is on its way from Thunder Racing. I am going to get it Dyno Tuned in Orlando as soon as I do the cam swap during the upcoming week and a half.

 

I would say that new springs is all you need. What is the lift on that cam?

 

If you go with 1.5 rockers you can use the LT4 hot cam kit springs, if you use the 1.6s with the XE cam the springs will not work.

 

Lift on the LT4 Hot Cam is .525 and the Lift on the 224/230 is .510 (according to Thunder Racing?)

Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

The cam card for it I had said .510/.520 with 1.5 rockers.

 

So that means I'm going to need new springs, retainers, locks, and shims doesn't it?

 

I think the Hotcam would be fine really. I had the 224/230 but the hotcam guys usually dyno about the same as the 224/230 guys. If ya have it, might as well run it. There have been alot of threads comparing the 2 cams, I think for the price the Hotcam kit is a good deal. With stall, some gear, Hotcam kit, and corresponding bolt ons I would say that low 12's are very attainable. I had some issues with valvefloat due to the aggressive nature of the XE lobes of the 224/230....I haven't heard of that with the hotcam.

 

I agree with you completely. And this is just pretty much me weighing out my options. I know for a fact I won't go wrong with both. My biggest goal is to do this completely on a budget, I'm keeping records of everything and I'm going to make a site at some point when I'm all done.

I know the XE lobes are more agressive and that is why it makes a little more grunt down low. From what people have said the 224/230 is a more impressive cam in general, and yes it is similar to the Hot Cam. Basically its like I said -- I'm just weighing out my options. If it won't be that much more expensive and I can sell the Hot Cam with springs, then I'll do it. It all basically comes down to timing. The install date is coming up in about a week and a half, and I just want to do it all just right so it comes out to meet and exceed my expectations.

 

Yeah the 224/230 cam ran good, I had a hotcam in Mini-Ram'd 355 in the old formula and it made good power as well. I have read alot more threads that have the Hotcam guys dynoing higher, its not all the time, but seems to be more common with them.I think the Hotcam will make power higher, unless you go ahead and get some 26918 beehives for the 224/230. I know mine fell off in power a TON at about 6000-6100....it really started to fall on its face. I was using CM motorsports 612 springs FYI. You may also want to look into a AFR hydra-rev if you go with the XE grind. I think for a budget I would rather go with the Hotcam, and put the extra money on another mod down the road....maybe ported heads, TB, gears, etc, etc.

 

I think you would see a minimal gain from the Hott cam to the XE 224/230.

Not enough to quantify ripping the upper end apart to do it.

 

The hotcam isn't installed yet. It is sitting in the top of my closet. I'm just trying to piece together a setup and get all my ducks in line before I crack into this thing.

The more I'm thinking about it -- the less it makes sense to go with the 224/230 just for the minimal gains of having to sell the hot cam and springs and buy the 224/230 with new springs.

As far as the springs for the XE 224/230 go:
Which ones would you go with? Do I need new retainers, locks and shims?

 

If it were me, I'd just use the hotcam. The 224/230 isn't that much bigger or better (if at all) to worry about the difference. Friend of mine ran low 12's with an auto. Granted he had all the other bolt-ons, gears, stall, etc. But he also had stock untouched heads.

 

26918 beehives are getting very popular especially with XE and XFI grinds. Yes, new retainers are necessary. I am not sre about the locks, and you may need more shims..not sure on that. The Beehives popularity is increasing due to a it being an Ovate spring that utilizes a much smaller retainer, thus decreasing valvetrain weight, and increasing valvetrain stabilty...both fantastic features. It is also a single spring, so it is lighter because of that as well, and i believe they are good to about .610" lift as well.

 

Go with the 26918 beehive springs. The retainers, locks and shims will
depend on what you want to do. If you use the stock spring seats then
the 7* hardware will work. If you want to use the Comp spring seats then
the 10* hardware with +.050" locks works the best. This is assuming that
you have stock heads.

Comp Press Release

If you want to go with 7 degree hardwarde:

787-16 retainers
648-16 locks
stock or LT4 spring seats

If you want to go with 10 degree hardware (super locks):

795-16 steel retainers, or
794-16 titanium retainers
611-16 locks (standard), or
614-16 locks (+.050)
4705-16 spring seats

Using the 7 degree hardware and stock spring seats you
should end up with an installed height close to 1.78". With
10 degree hardware, 4705-16 spring seats, and the +.050
super locks you should see a 1.75" installed height.

Many have used the stock or LT4 spring seats with these
springs. I personally don't like the way the springs sit on the
spring seat. I have the 10 degree setup on mine.

Here is a pic if you are curious Beehive and LT4 spring seat