I'm about to replace the cam in my '96. Anyone with experience using the Hot cam and/or the ZZ9 in an LT4, please share your wisdom. I need to make a choice in the next few days. Performance is important...that goes without saying, but drivability is the reason for the swap in the first place. I need to be able to give the keys to my wife now and then. Any advice will be greatly appreciated! :confused:

 

id go with hotcam because it was made for the LT4 originally

 

Both are good cams. Cannot go wrong on either one. Had the ZZ9 in my 6M '94 and was real happy.

 

The hotcam has a little more duration above .050# so I would think you should get a little more performance out of the hotcam. People say the idle is good with the hotcam so you should have no problems there. I think you can buy a hotcam kit that comes with the cam, springs, and 1.6 rockers. Since you will probably have to replace the valve springs with either cam I would go this route.

 

Do you have to replace anything else besides the cam on an LT4?

 

You will still need to change the springs on an LT4. I would say the ZZ-9 would be a better "driver". But driveability is a loosely used term, what's driveable to some is not to someone else.

If you want a hotter cam I would run our ZZ-409 cam, but this will be a lot more aggressive, with a lopey idle.

Also looking at specs on paper does not tell the whole story. You only get duration numbers at .004 and .050 typically. What about .100,.150,.200,.300, on up to max lift? To compare two cams, without dynoing them, you would have to out them on a Cam Doctor.

So asking people what they like best, on a forum like this, is probably the best thing to do.
Terry

 

Real happy with the ZZ409 in my 396. Has the same characteristics as the ZZ9 did in my 350. I know alot of the Camaro guys have the ZZ409 in their 350's.

 

Thanks! Please tell me more about the ZZ409. Information which might be helpful; I have SLP shorties and a flowmaster cat back exhaust, pocket ported/3 angle heads, 1.6 roller rockers, currently a 52mm TB but I have access to a 58mm unit as well, Granitlelli MAS, 26lbs injectors, K&N w/ open lid, adjustable FP regulator and a Holley ignition box.

Drivability to me is a reasonable amount of vaccume as to operate all accessories at idle, no constant check eng light and a car that doesn't die every time I'm sitting at a stoplight w/ the A/C on when the outside temp exceeds 90 degrees. I don't mid a lope. Any tips will be appreciated. Thanks, Stacy :chevy

 

This is not true. Although it is a good idea to put fresh springs in with any cam, the factory springs on a LT-4 are the same ones that come in a hot cam kit.

 

I think the ZZ9 has bit more low-mid range power, while the HOT Cam probably has bit more top end power. With stock 3.45 gears and programing, I'd go ZZ9. If I went with the HOT Cam, I'd have Ed Wright (in Tulsa) do a re-program w/ raised rev limiter.

Why limit your selection to these two cams? Comp Cams and Crane also have several selections for LT1/4 motors.

 

I went through the same dilema about 6 months ago. Here's what my research lead to. The hot cam will do you good since you have a manual transmittion. But it will feel a little doggy at low RPM's. You may want to think of upgradding to the 4.10's and you definatly won't have any problem.
This cam really comes alive above 4,000 RPM.

The zz-9 is also a good choice but is not made for as much high end HP. It's the better daily driver, and for an auto, like me, it's the way to go. It'll have better midrange that is more useable if you don't push your car to the redline.

This is what I've come across, just my $0.02

 

Had the same set up as you with the ZZ9 and shorty headers and then added the long tubes. Do not think you need the 58TB. The ZZ409 takes the intake duration from 212 to 226 over the ZZ9. Same exhaust as ZZ9 at 226.
With 1.6 RR's your lift is at 555. The ZZ9 did seem to have more low end torque and power versus the dyno numbers I have seen on Hot Cams. Either way you go, you can run low 12's on a good day. FWIW my best MPH with the ZZ9 was 119.5MPH.


[Modified by Red Rocket, 1:36 PM 4/25/2002]


[Modified by Red Rocket, 1:37 PM 4/25/2002]

 

It is my understanding that the ZZ409 is really meant to work best with
engines larger than the 350 small block. I think it was meant for stroked
383's or a 409 Cu. in. engine or large blocks. It also has less torque than
what you already got until you pass 3000rpm, then hang on to your hat because
it really comes to life after that. It would make a great racer cam but you
could be giving up a lot in street drivability. I think you should go for the
ZZ9. I think you will be happiest with that one for its overall performance.

 

I just did the install of HOT cam few weeks ago.

Expecting:

I chose this cam cause it cost $190, didn't need any other hardware changes, and will not set the service engine light off with stock programming.

Reality:

Cam did cost $190

Ended up changing alot of other things since I had a few miles on all original parts (73,000) and rather install new once than try used parts-read I went with new springs, lifter, pushrods, rockers, etc....but you don't need to-stock LT4 valve springs will tolerate the lift, but some say they won't last...I have only 2000 hard miles on them so time will tell.

Another point is my SE light has illuminated twice but both times it has gone out within 10 miles. The codes downloaded as random misfire. This is common with HOT cam. I believe this was triggered after some really hard running on road racing track (286 oil temp and 220 coolant-25 laps) on the cool down where the engine was in thermal shock:) If you have PCM tuned, I think the light wouldn't come on.

Drivability is great. The idle is little rough (in a good way), but I find some bucking in 1 and 2 gear at less than 1500 rpm. Fix is PCM programming or don't drive at 1500rpm :) It is livable.

I gained 26 HP at the wheels with cam change alone (car already had a Corsa exhaust). My peak moved up 300 rpm to 6200 rpm, but when you look at the curve, it is extremely flat...meaning 5800 rpm was like 298 and 6400 was also 298 with peak at 303.

I recommend it:)

 

Thanks, but if you were happy with it, why past tense? Why did you switch? :chevy

 

Why these two cams? Excellent question! Over the years I've built a number of performance motors...most of them Chevy's. On some I've gone all out and had mixed results. On others I made minor changes and additions and had spectacular results. I've learned enough to know I don't know enough, so I look for folks who have achieved the results I seek and then I just do what they did. I've seen a number of articles on these two cams with very similar applications to my own. Both made exceptional power where I can use it. If I had another article showing better results with another cam I'd compare it as well, but I have a recipie for power using these. :chevy P.S. I bought new set of Comp Cams 982 springs.

 

Wanted a little bigger Cam for the 396 Stroker. The ZZ409 is a ZZ9+ :chevy

 

Thanks. Actually, my car is a Z51 automatic w/a Lingenfelter street performance converter. I have a set of mildly ported LT4 heads and a new LT4 intake that will pe port matched to the heads and put on w/ the cam. I wanted an LT4 when I bought the car but I also wanted an automatic because I believe they are faster in the C-4. Call me crazy but when the car was new, with the stock 3.07s, Flowmaster cat back exhaust, K&N with an open lid and Hypertech reprograming I clicked off consistant 13.20s. With the current mods (still 3.07 gears) I ran an 11.98 at River Ciy in San Antonio last Mother's Day weekend on my first and only run. The problem is with drivability, even with a reprogramed CPU. The problems are so numerous, I decided it would be easier (and probably less expensive) to start over from scratch.

 

Thanks. I talked to the guys at TPiS this afternoon. They suggested I go w/ the ZZ9 for my application rather than the ZZ409. I was originally going to stroke the motor but I've heard there are drivability concerns. Have you experienced any problems w/ the 396 yet?

P.S. You have a great looking car! I love that color combo. :chevy

 

both are tiny & shouldnt cause real driveability concerns for most people...

I'd run the LT4 hotcam.. the biggest reason being that you can get the hotcam kit for $450ish from sam taylor buick with crane gold race 1.6's... whereas those TPIS guys bend ya over on the cam alone :)