Ok, for those of you who have done this mod, is it worth it, adn where can you buy the parts, and how much?

Thanks in advance.

 

I thought it was worth it. I wanted more power to run with the big boys. If you have an LT4, all you need is the Hotcam and your computer reprogrammed. You will also need the gaskets and seals for the timing cover and H2O pump. Long tube headers will let the cam make more power. With the right set up and tunning it has see 400-430 crank horsepower. I spent more $$ because I also swapped out my LT1 heads and intake to LT4's. You will get a lopey ilde too.

 

I got mine from Jegs - 12480002 is the part# (GM Performance). It cost me $500. I've yet to get it installed - Some time in the next 2-3 weeks

It's going in at the same time the long tubes & hi-flow cats

 

I've just gotton through with the entire setup process for the Hotcam. I have a few pics in "My Corvette Pictures" if you want to take a look.


Its a much tougher install in a LT-1 than an LT-4. Lucky for you the LT-4 only needs the cam and a slight reprogram. Your timing chain is already tougher and you have the 1.6 rrs and the correct valves springs already. Its damn near drop in on the LT-4.

 

I had TPIS long tubes and a Hot Cam and a adjustable fule preasure regulator and a heave duty timing chane. The mechanic doing the work insisted I put on a hd timing chane or he would not stand behind the work he performed. All I can say is HOLLY **** it realy made a HUGE diferance.I gave up a rite nut for parts and labor but I went to a top notch vette machinic though. I am very happy with the mods

 

Brandt, what is this you speak of a hotcam. Are you actually going to mod one of the LT4s?

 

Probably the most amazing thing about the Hotcam is it's versatility. As well as making good power while maintaining excellent driveability and mileage, it worked well when the rest of the engine was nearly stock and it works great now. My "mechanic's" foot will generally lift off of the throttle long before it quits making power. Mileage should be at least as good as stock with proper tuning. Mine's actually better, even now.

 

Has anyone dynoed a Hot Cam in a LT1? How about a Hot Cam plus LT4 kit?

 

There was a thread either here or in tech very recently with a link to an article about More Performance installing the LT4 conversion kit, which comes w/ the Hotcam, headers and a 52mm throttle body and making 429 HP from an otherwise stock LT1. Very impressive and hard to beat for the money.

 

Maybe....just maybe.

 

and cam only is $175 at Scoggin Dickeys. www.SDPC2000.com

 

Thanks for the link. I'll check them out.

 

Nathan Plemmon's bad **** ride

 

I'm assuming that those are before and after #'s??

 

Yes they are... and I got the 2005 Scoggin Dickeys catalog in the mail yesterday and the price of the Hotcam went up from $175 to $192.50 I waited too long to buy mine
I'm blaming this on the wife

 

Dear Lawd!!

 

I've got every reciept for everything needed to swap out cams on a 96 LT4. You'll need:
intake gaskets [get the 77s]
oil pan gasket
water pump gaskets
Throttle body gasket [sometimes this can be reused however]
injector O ring set [cheap insureance if you want it but optional]
timing cover gasket
opti drive shaft seal
crankshaft timing cover seal
water pump driveshaft seal
valve springs only [cheap insurance]
new stock timing chain [ plenty strong, but get a new one.]
camshaft
RTV
oil and filter
various cleaners/shop towels and supplies
a complete vocabulary chocked full of colorful metaphors

I replaced the cam only [with the parts listed above] and still have the stock exhaust manifolds. Other than idle, my cars appears %100 stock. The 96 LT4 cars run very good on stock tune but better with a custom one. Theres a great article/how to write up over on the GSR with lots of pics. I would storngly suggest buying or borrowing the kent moore seal installer for the water pump seal and the kent moore tool for the hub removal. Getting the crank hub off is a real pita. If you do this, spray the crank hub/pulley with penetrating oil once a day for several days before beginning. Its not like you're that far from me anyways if you run into problems. I'm in knoxville. I'll also be at the cruise in saturday if you want to drive/ride in my car.

 

I run a LT1 with the Hotcam and I am quite happy with it.

If I remember the whole mess cost me about $1500. I bought the kit (cam/springs/locks) for about 500.

I replaced the timing chain with a stock. I was going to go with the double roller but it didn't work out as I had the older style opti-spark. I don't race it or push it real hard so the stock is doing just fine. I wouldn't advise stock if you are going to run hard often.

I also replaced the opti-spark and upgraded to an electric waterpump. I also went with an Ed Write performance chip customized for my setup. Oh I replaced the spark plugs and belt at the same time too.

Word of advice, when turning the crank during spring replacement (TDC each piston) be sure to put plenty of washers on the crank bolt so not to bottem it out in the crank. The bolt is longer than the threaded hole in the crank. If you bottem it out the tip of the bolt will get squashed and trash the threads when you take it back out. You won't be a happy camper if that happens.

I did not need to replace the oil pan gasket. I just dropped the pan about an inch. The hardest part was getting the balancer off.

 

When I had to replace my engine I decided to get the LT4 Hotcam kit dropped in. I paid 489.00 for the entire kit from samtaylor.com. With all the mods in my signature my Vette put out 296.4 HP. I was hoping for about 310 HP and the guy at the dyno said I would probably get that if it wasn't almost 100 degrees outside that day. I am very happy with the Hotcam and it did not require anything new besides the HD timing chain. I could have actually driven the car without reprograming the computer but the idle was rough which wasn't really that bad. I had my computer reprogramed by pcmforless.com which I am also very happy with. If you have any questions...just let me know. Good luck!