LT4 Hotcam kit - Worth it?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 457
Likes: 1
From: He who laughs last didn't get it... Georgia
The GM part number for the kit is: 12480002 You can find it at the links below, two of many places. Just search for this part number. BTW, you can also purchase the cam individually...
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com
- or -
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...NAL%2D12480002
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com
- or -
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...NAL%2D12480002
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 228
Likes: 1
From: Oakwood GA
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 2
From: Prather, California -1990 ZR-1 White/Flame Red- -SOLD!!-
When I had my '93 LT1 (6-speed, 3.45 rear diff gears), I put the GM Hotcam kit in it (got it off eBay, hotcam, 1.6RR, LT4 valve springs), everything else on the engine was stock. I got a PCMforless tune for the ECM and then got it smogged here in California. It passed no problem.
The engine was a fairly fresh rebuild though with only around 10K miles on the rebuild so that probably helped, too. A higher mileage engine might have more problems passing, especially if it isn't running in tip-top shape.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 196
From: folsom california
did the "hot cam" with new springs on my high miler 96 lt 4. Suggest you check Summit or Jegs or Scoggin Dickie on prices for the kit before going to the dealer.
the cam and the springs cost next to nothing compared to replacing almost everything that had to come off to get to the cam and springs;
plus a whole lot more. On your mileage engine it may be a lot cheaper since (theoretically) fewer parts will need to be replaced, but be forewarned, if you adopt the "I might as well as replace it now" theory of engine maintenance, the costs are going to mount up fast...really fast.
The engine idles at 750 rpm; the corsa exhaust now has some lope at idle, or as my wife says, sounds like a boat . which is generally a good thing....but is definitely louder than with the stock lt4 cam (which I believe is somewhat more aggressive than the stock lt1 cam).
I don't have any objective numbers re the power...but I guarantee it's not any slower. The mileage is down somewhat (no surprise there).
And it passed California smog no problem. A big, big, plus.
Good luck.
the cam and the springs cost next to nothing compared to replacing almost everything that had to come off to get to the cam and springs;
plus a whole lot more. On your mileage engine it may be a lot cheaper since (theoretically) fewer parts will need to be replaced, but be forewarned, if you adopt the "I might as well as replace it now" theory of engine maintenance, the costs are going to mount up fast...really fast.
The engine idles at 750 rpm; the corsa exhaust now has some lope at idle, or as my wife says, sounds like a boat . which is generally a good thing....but is definitely louder than with the stock lt4 cam (which I believe is somewhat more aggressive than the stock lt1 cam).
I don't have any objective numbers re the power...but I guarantee it's not any slower. The mileage is down somewhat (no surprise there).
And it passed California smog no problem. A big, big, plus.
Good luck.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: New York
I know this long after the fact but two years ago I had the LT4 Hot Cam setup installed in my vehicle. It is a 93 LT1. I had a lot of trouble with it at first because the installer ruined the job. I went to someone else who fixed almost eferything the first guy screwed up. This year, after dealing with a car that was supposed to make well over 350 RWHP, I got to a guy who put it all together. The car is now a blue rocket that was dynoed two days ago at 384 RWHP@6433 RPM. I also have 58 MM TB, 32 LB. injectors, Edelcbrock HotCam intake. Hooker Headers, Borla Catbacks, K&N, Roller Lifetrs, ported heads, K&N air filter and other goodies I forgot about. The car flies but when it gets up to 4,000 RPM, the car begins to haul ***. I love the way it runs.
