Which mod should I do?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 191
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From: Woodstock IL
Which mod should I do?
Im at a cross road right now and I was wondering which mod should I go for next. I have narrowed it down to three that I would really like to do. But am not sure which one I should go for first.
1. LT4 Hotcam Kit
2. Long tube headers
3. Cat back exhuast system (looking into magnaflow)
Just looking for some feedback.
1. LT4 Hotcam Kit
2. Long tube headers
3. Cat back exhuast system (looking into magnaflow)
Just looking for some feedback.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
Of those three, the one that is going to give you the biggest boost is the Hotcam Kit, especially with a tune. The Lt1 exhaust is the least prohibitive of all the C4's and can handle the extra flow.
After which the long tubes and cat back will then really set it loose. And from what I've seen, unless you get used, the hotcam kit will probably be the least expensive if you do the work. But it won't be if you have someone else do it.
I put the Hotcam in my LT4 and saw a dramatic difference, even without a tune through stock manifolds and pipes. You'll like it I promise.
After which the long tubes and cat back will then really set it loose. And from what I've seen, unless you get used, the hotcam kit will probably be the least expensive if you do the work. But it won't be if you have someone else do it.
I put the Hotcam in my LT4 and saw a dramatic difference, even without a tune through stock manifolds and pipes. You'll like it I promise.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,771
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From: MANDEVILLE, LA La
with Rick but,There are better choices out there but it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Is it a daily Driver, Weekend only ? How about fuel acconomy concerns? Low end torque? Rear end Ratio etc..I hear that the Hot Cam is a good compromise Cam.Rick: Your in Slidell. I live in Mandeville.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 191
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From: Woodstock IL
Well the vote is 3 to 1 on the hotcam kit. I am pretty car savy and I have all the required tools except a harmonic puller. I found the kit online for about 550$. With all the threads on the Hotcam installs and a trusty Haynes manual I think I can swing the install.
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,329
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From: woodbury new jersey
cam would get you the most, but most peoples first mod tends to be catback so they can get the aggresive sound. my car has a catback, but im waiting till i can afford to do cam, headwork, intake work, headers, etc all at once. maybe and engine rebuild at the same time? whenever $$ permits
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Metairie Louisiana
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
with Rick but,There are better choices out there but it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Is it a daily Driver, Weekend only ? How about fuel acconomy concerns? Low end torque? Rear end Ratio etc..I hear that the Hot Cam is a good compromise Cam.Rick: Your in Slidell. I live in Mandeville.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 111
Likes: 1
All things to think about about. The Hotcam is good in a daily driver situation. It is relatively mild. I chose it for that reason, along with the cam swap was needed because the stock cam got damaged by a bad lifter. Anything larger than a Hotcam would have required new springs, and the tune would have been critical. I knew I couldn't afford a tune right off, and good thing because I got laid off just before I went to the dyno. Arghhh.
Instructor
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,488
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A cam swap is not a Saturday afternoon project with these cars and if you are going to tear into it you will run into the might as well category. Might as well change the plugs and wires, might as well replace the waterpump, how old is that opti ? Get an agressive cam and you'll be changing springs, probably should anyways however with a more agressive cam you will be forced to do so and 1.6 roller rockers are nice too and then you'll need a good tune, and the list goes on. If it were mine I would do a gear swap and a converter then put a nice exhaust underneath it and leave it alone. I did a 3.75 rear gear and a 2800 stall car went 12.70s on Nitto Drag radials, everything else stock. Best bang for the buck mods. Good luck 
Funny I give you this advice yet my dumb *** built a 383 on juice LOL
Funny I give you this advice yet my dumb *** built a 383 on juice LOL
Last edited by JD'S WHITE 93; Feb 3, 2010 at 11:18 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock IL
A cam swap is not a Saturday afternoon project with these cars and if you are going to tear into it you will run into the might as well category. Might as well change the plugs and wires, might as well replace the waterpump, how old is that opti ? Get an agressive cam and you'll be changing springs, probably should anyways however with a more agressive cam you will be forced to do so and 1.6 roller rockers are nice too and then you'll need a good tune, and the list goes on. If it were mine I would do a gear swap and a converter then put a nice exhaust underneath it and leave it alone. I did a 3.75 rear gear and a 2800 stall car went 12.70s on Nitto Drag radials, everything else stock. Best bang for the buck mods. Good luck Funny I give you this advice yet my dumb *** built a 383 on juice LOL
Funny I give you this advice yet my dumb *** built a 383 on juice LOL
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 189
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From: New Jersey
The magnaflow catback is cheap and easy to install (although you wont notice much of a power increase) it makes the car sound nice. I picked up the magnaflow 3" catback for $540 shipped and was happy with it, nice fit and sound
If you can afford to do headers and cam at the same time you will notice a bigger difference than each alone and will only have to pay for 1 tune and not have to pay for a 2nd when you eventually get the other part
But like JD'S WHITE 93 said the "might as well" category ends up getting expensive when doing a cam swap
If you can afford to do headers and cam at the same time you will notice a bigger difference than each alone and will only have to pay for 1 tune and not have to pay for a 2nd when you eventually get the other part
But like JD'S WHITE 93 said the "might as well" category ends up getting expensive when doing a cam swap
Last edited by RustInPeace; Feb 4, 2010 at 05:37 PM.
Team Owner
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