New Cam For The LT4
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Granville Illinois
New Cam For The LT4
So I sold my 85 Vette and have a few dollars laying about and want to get the performance level of my LT4 up to the standads of the C5/6 level. I am shooting for 4:10 gears and a camshaft swap. I know the HotCam is a popular swap but are there better choices out there. I know I went from a older hyd. cam to a newer Xtrem Enery cam,both flat tappet with similar lift #'s in a Camaro, and it was very noticable. This car is not a daily driver but it does see alot of use so I need to keep mileage and manners in mind..no radical cam suggestions please. Also will I need to make a valave spring change as I already have LT4 springs?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 811
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
So I sold my 85 Vette and have a few dollars laying about and want to get the performance level of my LT4 up to the standads of the C5/6 level. I am shooting for 4:10 gears and a camshaft swap. I know the HotCam is a popular swap but are there better choices out there. I know I went from a older hyd. cam to a newer Xtrem Enery cam,both flat tappet with similar lift #'s in a Camaro, and it was very noticable. This car is not a daily driver but it does see alot of use so I need to keep mileage and manners in mind..no radical cam suggestions please. Also will I need to make a valave spring change as I already have LT4 springs?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 3
From: Clearwater FL
St. Jude Donor '06
I've been wanting to do the CC503 when the stars align. Just a step up from the HC. Gets to be like a bag of worms with all the parts that you can or need to replace when doing this job.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
So I sold my 85 Vette and have a few dollars laying about and want to get the performance level of my LT4 up to the standads of the C5/6 level. I am shooting for 4:10 gears and a camshaft swap. I know the HotCam is a popular swap but are there better choices out there. I know I went from a older hyd. cam to a newer Xtrem Enery cam,both flat tappet with similar lift #'s in a Camaro, and it was very noticable. This car is not a daily driver but it does see alot of use so I need to keep mileage and manners in mind..no radical cam suggestions please. Also will I need to make a valave spring change as I already have LT4 springs?
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...8&autoview=sku
I'm liking the 503. $30 more than the hotcam, and a tad more duration. Same overlap though (112*), so the lope shouldn't be much worse. I think I'm sold!
My only question; it lists the basic operating range as 1800 - 5800...would this still be fine in an LT4 revving to 6300?
I'm liking the 503. $30 more than the hotcam, and a tad more duration. Same overlap though (112*), so the lope shouldn't be much worse. I think I'm sold!
My only question; it lists the basic operating range as 1800 - 5800...would this still be fine in an LT4 revving to 6300?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: NYC....In the Place to be!
So I sold my 85 Vette and have a few dollars laying about and want to get the performance level of my LT4 up to the standads of the C5/6 level. I am shooting for 4:10 gears and a camshaft swap. I know the HotCam is a popular swap but are there better choices out there. I know I went from a older hyd. cam to a newer Xtrem Enery cam,both flat tappet with similar lift #'s in a Camaro, and it was very noticable. This car is not a daily driver but it does see alot of use so I need to keep mileage and manners in mind..no radical cam suggestions please. Also will I need to make a valave spring change as I already have LT4 springs?
good write up.....
http://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=836200
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh Pa
you can NOT use the lt4 springs for much much else than a hot cam or a zz4 or stock. i threw a ligenfelter 216(213/219 .492/.502) in my lt4 and it would float the valves and that was with new springs.. you certainly wouldn't be able to go bigger.
too much lift for stock springs.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh NC
I can't speak for the other cams, but my car runs like a raped ape with the hotcam and still has good drivability with a bit of lope at idle. I'm sure it would make more power with a bigger cam, but it depends on how you're going to use the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,514
Likes: 30
From: Friendswood TX
Hate to thread jack but im about to have my LT4 heads and intake ported and prob ditch the hotcam (although i love it now) for something a little bigger.
How does this cam perform compared to the Hotcam?
The answer will prob be useful to the post owner anyhow...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati Oh
Im now considering this cam myself.
Hate to thread jack but im about to have my LT4 heads and intake ported and prob ditch the hotcam (although i love it now) for something a little bigger.
How does this cam perform compared to the Hotcam?
The answer will prob be useful to the post owner anyhow...
Hate to thread jack but im about to have my LT4 heads and intake ported and prob ditch the hotcam (although i love it now) for something a little bigger.
How does this cam perform compared to the Hotcam?
The answer will prob be useful to the post owner anyhow...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,514
Likes: 30
From: Friendswood TX
Thats def something to consider. I would have no idea what specs i would need to go with though. I am very pleased with my hotcam right now but when i pull the heads and intake off to be ported, im thinking i might as well step it up at the same time.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio Texas
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...8&autoview=sku
I'm liking the 503. $30 more than the hotcam, and a tad more duration. Same overlap though (112*), so the lope shouldn't be much worse. I think I'm sold!
My only question; it lists the basic operating range as 1800 - 5800...would this still be fine in an LT4 revving to 6300?
I'm liking the 503. $30 more than the hotcam, and a tad more duration. Same overlap though (112*), so the lope shouldn't be much worse. I think I'm sold!
My only question; it lists the basic operating range as 1800 - 5800...would this still be fine in an LT4 revving to 6300?
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
The duration numbers look ok but the lift is way down. You should be able to get lobes from Comp Cams closer to .600" lift with those duration numbers, and 1.6 rockers. Springs would have to be changed but that's not a bad idea anyway, along with valve seals, if the motor has some miles on it. That would be about the right shift point, 500-1000 RPM over HP peak.
With 1.6 rockers it would be .536/.544 lift.
You still should get better springs as the LT4 springs are good to about .550 lift but your maxing them out on a CC503.
Will