Which cam would be best?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,922
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
Yea, with my Hot Cammed 396, ported heads long tubes etc it made exactly 400rwhp with the automatic. .
But I will say you will be very happy with this cam. GM designed it for the LT4 and it was supposed to be th ecam in there. SO the R&D is pretty good on the cam. I really liked it, very driveable. I drove a 95 Z28 with one, 350cu in, a 96 Grand Sport, no headers but ran real sweet, and a L98 Vette. All ran well. YOu might need it tuned, and if you can get long tube headers, it will really compliment it.
The timing chain should be fine. On my friends GS, all we changed was the cam, worked fine.
But I will say you will be very happy with this cam. GM designed it for the LT4 and it was supposed to be th ecam in there. SO the R&D is pretty good on the cam. I really liked it, very driveable. I drove a 95 Z28 with one, 350cu in, a 96 Grand Sport, no headers but ran real sweet, and a L98 Vette. All ran well. YOu might need it tuned, and if you can get long tube headers, it will really compliment it.
The timing chain should be fine. On my friends GS, all we changed was the cam, worked fine.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Portland TX
So you're saying that the GM extreme duty timing set might not be needed for the Hot Cam? In that case, would I just replace the stock timing chain with a new one for good measure? Also, what else will my tuner need me to purchase in addition to the cam in order to make this a successful installation (gaskets, etc.)? I've already spoken to Bryan at PCM for less on the tune for my LT4 and it seems like that should do the trick. 
Thanks so much,
Wes
Thanks so much,
Wes
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,922
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
Originally Posted by KP Texan
So you're saying that the GM extreme duty timing set might not be needed for the Hot Cam? In that case, would I just replace the stock timing chain with a new one for good measure? Also, what else will my tuner need me to purchase in addition to the cam in order to make this a successful installation (gaskets, etc.)? I've already spoken to Bryan at PCM for less on the tune for my LT4 and it seems like that should do the trick.
Thanks so much,
Wes
Thanks so much,
Wes
There is a thread from a guy on the grand sport registry that has a comprehensive in depth write up on how to do this cam swap. Do a search.
Springs, chains, etc are subjective. This is just what I would do, and have helped others do on there Vettes. The LT4 is a very durable motor, and was designed for this cam, as well as the springs in the heads already are the same part number. If you had a regular LT1 Iwould tell you to put the 918 springs, as they are a little stiffer and stronger. The LT1 has heavier valves, thats why I would recommend them.
If Bryan at PCMforLess is helpiong you , you will be very well taken care of. Steve
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 0
From: lafayette co
Originally Posted by KP Texan
So you're saying that the GM extreme duty timing set might not be needed for the Hot Cam? In that case, would I just replace the stock timing chain with a new one for good measure? Also, what else will my tuner need me to purchase in addition to the cam in order to make this a successful installation (gaskets, etc.)? I've already spoken to Bryan at PCM for less on the tune for my LT4 and it seems like that should do the trick.
Thanks so much,
Wes
Thanks so much,
Wes
I opted for a little more aggressive cam, and used the stock LT4 timing set.
I only had ~26K miles at the time of the cam swap!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,261
Likes: 85
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Originally Posted by steve40th
There is a thread from a guy on the grand sport registry that has a comprehensive in depth write up on how to do this cam swap. Do a search.
