LT4 Hot Cam
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Spring Texas
LT4 Hot Cam
Guys, can I put an LT4 Hot Cam in my 95 with 123,000 miles on it or am I just crazy. The engine is very strong and it is a very well taken care of car but I have heard not to do it. The car is internally stock.
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From: Glenbeulah Wi
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Kempner Texas
Not a problem as long as you pay attention to DETAIL. No corner cutting or "as good as" thinking to save you a LOT of aggravation down the road.
For those who've changed cams many times before may tell you something like "Ah, it's a piece of cake", but for a first-timer, it "ain't". The DEVIL'S in the details and that's where the screw-ups begin.
I mention this because I just finished reading yet two more mis-installed Opti posts on other Forums.
Jake
West Point ROCKS! Nation's TOP COLLEGE per Forbes Magazine!! Graduation Day Parade 20 May 2010!!!
For those who've changed cams many times before may tell you something like "Ah, it's a piece of cake", but for a first-timer, it "ain't". The DEVIL'S in the details and that's where the screw-ups begin.
I mention this because I just finished reading yet two more mis-installed Opti posts on other Forums.
Jake
West Point ROCKS! Nation's TOP COLLEGE per Forbes Magazine!! Graduation Day Parade 20 May 2010!!!
Race Director
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From: Marlboro country MA
I did a HotCam job on my LT1 at about 125,000 miles, figuring that the engine was finally broken in. With other bolt-ons, and stock LT1 heads and intake, I got a quarter mile time of 12.49. These LT1 engines are very strong.I finally got greedy 30,000 miles later and rebuilt the engine as a 383. At the time it was still running stronger than ever. The rebuild put me into the mid 11's.
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Melting Slicks
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From: folsom california
I have an LT4 with 140,000 miles; found original cam had 3 bad lobes; replaced with LT4 "Hot Cam"; seems to have been an excellent upgrade; what I like best is that it passed California smog no problem.
In retrospect I'd investigate a complete LT4 Hot Cam factory kit from say, Summit, instead of buying the same parts piecemeal.
Also be aware that a ton of parts come off to replace the cam and you probably won't be putting very many of them back on....so costs can add up quickly....still I think you'll be very happy.
In retrospect I'd investigate a complete LT4 Hot Cam factory kit from say, Summit, instead of buying the same parts piecemeal.
Also be aware that a ton of parts come off to replace the cam and you probably won't be putting very many of them back on....so costs can add up quickly....still I think you'll be very happy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Australia
You need to replace the stock rockers with 1.6's to get the LT4's adv .525 lift. Without them it is little better than stock LT1 cam.
In saying that you can see why it is a better option as prozac stated above, just to buy a cam that has the required lift ground in and doesn't require a rocker $$$ change
In saying that you can see why it is a better option as prozac stated above, just to buy a cam that has the required lift ground in and doesn't require a rocker $$$ change
Le Mans Master
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From: Akron Ohio
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The only advantage I can see to the HOTCAM kit is that its "cheap". The kit with cam springs and rockers from summit is not a bad price, but like mentioned you can get a custom grind, or something off the shelf to perform much better. Even though the cam price might be higher you can reuse the stock rockers which will save you money. 
7th Gear
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lt4 hot cam and vortec heads
ok guys after a lot of readon on here i decided to run an lt4 hot cam and ls6 springs and the comp cam retainers. (787-16)
took them to the machine shop and 2 weeks later had not heard back so i went in there. well they "forgot" to call me so i was prety heated about that. then they tell me they havent even started on the machine work
anyhoo they told me if they installed the ls6 springs one way i was only getting 100lb of seat pressure and if they installed them another way i was getting coil bind.
i was mad and not really listening about the installed heights but im prety sure they said at .1 i was getting 100 lb seat pressure and at .17 or 1.7 i was getting coil bind.
so did i get the wrong springs or is the machine shop trying to mess with me, or do i just need to get the comp behinve springs and call it good.
also the heads are suposed to be getting machined for up to .600" of retainer to seal clearence.
hopefully you all can chime in and we can get this figured out
thanks
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La mutuelle familiale de France
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took them to the machine shop and 2 weeks later had not heard back so i went in there. well they "forgot" to call me so i was prety heated about that. then they tell me they havent even started on the machine work
anyhoo they told me if they installed the ls6 springs one way i was only getting 100lb of seat pressure and if they installed them another way i was getting coil bind.
i was mad and not really listening about the installed heights but im prety sure they said at .1 i was getting 100 lb seat pressure and at .17 or 1.7 i was getting coil bind.
so did i get the wrong springs or is the machine shop trying to mess with me, or do i just need to get the comp behinve springs and call it good.
also the heads are suposed to be getting machined for up to .600" of retainer to seal clearence.
hopefully you all can chime in and we can get this figured out
thanks
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La mutuelle familiale de France
Devis mutuelle familiale des cheminots fr
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 210
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From: Spring Texas
Cam
Ok so my original post said LT4 hot cam and you guys have given me great opinions. However you guys have also said there are many other options. OK i'll bite... what are my options and how much HP can I expect to gain. I will be buying all parts necessary and not do this without doing it right. I would prefer to buy a kit that has all parts necessary. What would be the best option. This is not a daily driver anymore but I do want it to pass all DMV test.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Australia
