Fux0redImages

I'm doing an opti install next weekend on my car cus mine finally bit the dust. I've decided I'm going to cam it while I have it all apart. I don't have a lot of money to work with. I know the two cams are similar with the XE being the more extreme, but I realize the LT4 hotcam kit is a good deal. I'm afraid if I get the LT4 hotcam, I'll be disapointed that I didn't go bigger. But the LT4 hotcam kit for just 200 dollars more than the XE224/230 alone comes with all the goodies. Anyone have any advice for me here? Can anyone tell me what else I would need to buy with the XE224/230, I'm pretty sure I'd need to get new springs and a timing chain anything else? Help is appreciated, thanks!

94Formula/TA

Try to get a combination motorsports cam kit for the 224/230. Maybe the best cam for stock heads.

Rich

jchevy

224/230 will probably be a bit big for your a4 with 2.73's. You would be better off with a hotcam or the cam in my sig for an everyday driver and stock heads.

EDIT: Scratch that, just saw you have a stall. You would probably be fine with a 224/230. I almost went with that cam.

tagz

I just purchased a 224/230. Total came out to be $783.17. This includes the cam, rocker arms, pushrods, springs, retainers, locks, intake gaskets, water pump gaskets, and a timing chain. Don't forget to add the timing cover gasket, and the 3 seals on the timing cover. Probably around 15 bucks. That price also includes shipping on everything.

I was contemplating the same thing. Hot cam or go bigger. To me it felt too easy to jus buy a kit. I asked a million questions to a million people and actually learned alot about the valvetrain to put my set up together. And why bother doing the whole job when you can spend a few hundred dollars more and get that much more power.

97SS0594

i hope i dont get in trouble for this, but i purchased a 224/230 on a 114 LSA a few months ago from another board member, its brand new and never installed, but its too small for the 383 im currently building, if your intorested let me know!! if i wouldnt have thrown a rod, i was going to use this because of all the great things i read and heard about it!!

Fux0redImages

TTT

Can anyone help me out here?

What else would I NEED to buy to make the xe224/230 work? I know I'd need the cam itself, springs and a LT4 timing chain. Do I need anything else? Also, does the LT4 timing chain swap right out with the LT1 chain, or will I need to buy the whole set? I only have so much money right now so I'm curious which option would be cheaper.

PoorMan

If you do the LT4 chain then you need to convert to the 95+ vented optispark. I did the same cam not too long ago. Got some install pics in sig. for motivation. It's a great cam.

Fux0redImages

If I got an LT1 timing chain would that work-out with a xe224/230? I was under the impression the LT1 timing chain was a POS.

calfirebird

That is a good question. I did the 224/230 and my buddy did the lt4 kit and headers. We both gained about the same RWHP. So i would say the xe cam is better but is more. It lopes more also. I like the xe real well. Both are great cams though.

Good luck Figure out what you want to do?
Do a search.
Then do what you feel you want to accomplish.

Cause i want a LE2 set up now, But im not going through that crap again so quick.

Good luck

Fastbird93

You'll NEED new springs, retainers, locks, and timing set. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED would be lifters if yours are very old and a set of 1.6 roller rockers. Your pushrods are hardened from the factory and should be fine.

As far as the LT4 timing set, it won't work on your 94 unless you convert to a vented opti. To do that you'll need a vented opti (obviously), 95+ timing cover, 95+ opti harness, Vented Opti vaccuum harness, and 95+ timing set, or a LT4 ED set, or cloyes makes a good one too. The cloyes is the cheapest of the bunch also.

*Edit* Guess I could throw a cam recommendation too. 224/230 all the way. It's a bigger cam than the hotcam in more aspect than one. The ramp rates really help to bring up the low end of the torque curve, and it's a very flat one too. I have driven cars with both and the 224/230 was just more impressive.

Fux0redImages

My problem with the xe224/230 is I don't think I can get it for the same price. I would rather have it, but I can get the lt4 hotcam kit, lt1 timing chain and an opti from Cromer for 750ish. Then a gasket set from thunder for 80. Unless someone can point me out a way to get the 224/230 for that price, I'm gonna go hotcam.

Fastbird93

You're not going to be able to get it for that price. That's one reason that the hotcam kit is so prevelant: Price. You just can't beat $500+- for a Cam, springs, retainers, locks, and rockers.

formula383

The hot cam is a good kit but I wish I would have spent the extra money to get something else. If I were going to pick one of those cams I would go with the 224/230. I have seen a few cars with this cam in person and the performed very well.

I don't know about the LT1 chain being junk or not but I haven't had any trouble with mine, I just got a stock replacement.

Fux0redImages

Thanks for the help. Looks like LT4 Hotcam it is.

Before I order all this, is there anything else I need to buy?

Valve Seals
LT4 Hotcam
LT1 Timing Chain
Of course an optispark.

Thanks for the help guys.