Lt-4 hot cam install help..
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Birmingham Al
Lt-4 hot cam install help..
I AM GETTING PARTS TOGETHER FOR HOT CAM INSTALL AND A MINI OVERHAUL HEADS ETC.. HERE WE GO DROP OIL PAN A LITTLE WITH SOME GASKET MAKER AND HOPE FOR THE BEST OR TAKE OFF- NEW GASKET AND HOPE FOR THE BEST...Thanks...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: folsom california
I did a hot cam install in a 96. did it on jackstands ; not hard but it is labor intensive; there is a lot of stuff on the front of an LT engine, but nothing that can't be accomplished with patience and the usual assortment of tools.
do you have a specific question ? and yes, I dropped the pan and used a new gasket.
do you have a specific question ? and yes, I dropped the pan and used a new gasket.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Birmingham Al
I work on lot's small block Chevy motors but my first cam install in a LT-4 motor in car...and replaced a few OPTI SPARKS so I know what I am getting into... If you got any pointers to help would be nice ..I'm takeing the heads off for rework msd cap and new headers ..I was wondering about the pan I see some take off some not I would like not I think it's a crap shoot... I want it right sounds like whatever you do and it don't leak you do the right thing..I did you get the push rods the right lenigh ?? Thanks...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Mo
The cam swap is is pretty simple, If you doing it i would make it worth while and pick a different cam. I put the hot cam in my camaro when i 1st bought it and didnt like it. I would go with a Comp CC503 or 224/230 xfi grind. Oh and i would put a new gasket on the pan, Fel pro one piece
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Birmingham Al
I don't want to go to big on the cam so I looked at the Hot cam #s and is about what I want .I will look at Comp cam and i might talk to LE I'not not too far away.. This is not the Hot Rod motor ,I will build one later on ??? ..I just looking for a little more power and keeping it streetable for now..The LT-4 96 has a few miles on it so I don't want it to BOOM not yet anyway.. I have money in this C-4 and not realy sure to go with too much moor in this one or not.. It's like putting LIP STICK on a Pig at the end of the day it's still a C-4.. so for now just a little more go power and not that I don't like the ride I love it but i see C-5 going for less that I have in this C-4 putting that $4,000 5,000 or more in a Hot Rod Motor ????? For now cam rework heads headers ..Any help on the install thanks...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
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From: folsom california
the biggest issue on an lt engine is removing the crank hub (not the balancer /pulley that's bolted to it); it's not difficult, just different than any other sbc ever made.
and there are two extra gaskets in the timing chain cover; one for the opti, which is pretty straight forward, and the second for the water pump drive. Lot of people have trouble with the water pump drive; not installing the seal itself, but installing the timing cover / seal over the water pump drive without damaging the seal lip. there are several low tech / low cost solutions to this issue; or the special gm tool.
and there are two extra gaskets in the timing chain cover; one for the opti, which is pretty straight forward, and the second for the water pump drive. Lot of people have trouble with the water pump drive; not installing the seal itself, but installing the timing cover / seal over the water pump drive without damaging the seal lip. there are several low tech / low cost solutions to this issue; or the special gm tool.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 196
From: folsom california
an lt4 hot cam is designed to drop right into an lt4 motor; the rockers are pedestal mount and are non adjustable. as long as the reworked heads valve stem height is close to stock, the original pushrods should work fine; never hurts to double check though.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Birmingham Al
Thnaks for all the input ,sounds like the gaskets are the big deal with the install . I have talked to some LT-4 eng. builders and they all say the same on putting too much power in the LT-4 motor without over haul .The rod bolts are week point so going to set the RPM around 6,000 and hope for the best.. I had it on the dyno @7,500 we don't want to do that too much, The tuner said this thing will wind to 7500 ^&*( not good... Thanks for the input .. I am also going with a 390 rear so it should at least have a little get up and go..Thanks..
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Texas
Thnaks for all the input ,sounds like the gaskets are the big deal with the install . I have talked to some LT-4 eng. builders and they all say the same on putting too much power in the LT-4 motor without over haul .The rod bolts are week point so going to set the RPM around 6,000 and hope for the best.. I had it on the dyno @7,500 we don't want to do that too much, The tuner said this thing will wind to 7500 ^&*( not good... Thanks for the input .. I am also going with a 390 rear so it should at least have a little get up and go..Thanks..
: There's not a stock LT4 in the world that will wind to 7500rpm. Stock fuel cutoff is 6400 and even if you removed that the thing is out of breath by 6600. I ran the HOT Cam for years and the hp peak was 6300 and by 6800 it was done. The engine turned a little over 360hp at the wheels on the stock bottom end and was used for years on the race track where it would spend hours bouncing between 4000 and 6600rpm. If you're going to set the fuel cutoff for 6000, you're wasting your time with a cam change.This is my writeup on the HOT Cam and electric water pump install
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: Birmingham Al
I just wanted info ..No BS.. Do you think I had a dream about the 7500 it's on the DYNO sheet and your right is was 7300 and who said it was stock.. There is no fuel cut off on this thing it's all WOT ...I will look up the steet and post it..If you got some help cool if not ..I have spent a lot time on the dyno with this C-4 trying to get it right I know this LT-4 in and out...So thanks for what ?? Telling me I don't know what I am talking about..The way of doing things is to put it on the dyno let the tuner and the motor do the talking...
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: Birmingham Al
When somebody tells you that you are BS about something ,I thinking that would be a good time ,if you ever were going to get pissy is when somebody strat out says your BSing about something.. I just ask for a little input so I stated the info I have to let people know what I am working with..I don't need anybody calling me out.. Must be mad cos his LT-4 won't go to 7,000+ like that that's is a good thing..Thanks for all your help...
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Texas
When somebody tells you that you are BS about something ,I thinking that would be a good time ,if you ever were going to get pissy is when somebody strat out says your BSing about something.. I just ask for a little input so I stated the info I have to let people know what I am working with..I don't need anybody calling me out.. Must be mad cos his LT-4 won't go to 7,000+ like that that's is a good thing..Thanks for all your help...
You're barking up the wrong tree with this bs. If you want helpful information you need to characterize things correctly. The fuel cutoff is in the PCM code. Therefore either the engine had a tune to remove it and was highly modified to spin to 7500, or the dyno calibration was incorrect, or you're full of it. If it's modified, then you need to outline those mods and people can help accordingly. If it's modified and spun to 7500, then why are you de-tuning it with a HOT Cam install? What a waste.Go look at the cam specs on the stock cam or the HOT Cam...neither support 7500rpm. Put the crack pipe down and come back to reality. Think about it...a stock LT4 turning more rpm than a modified LT5?!?
Mad about mine not turning to 7000+?
My little 500+hp 383 peaked at 6300...oh snap...and if you know so much about these engines, why do you need help for a simple LT4 HOT Cam cam install?
Give me a frickin' break
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: Birmingham Al
I don,t see what is so hard about this... Stoped makeing Hp @ 5800 starting droping off.. HP was going down... TQ fell off @ 6200 motor was still winding up to eather 7200 to 7500 makeing no nothing but going over 7000 RPM.. I am looking for the steet i will find it.. I asked the tuner why did you do what he said he needed a base line??? ,,The LT-5 will make power to 7500.. The rear wheels were spinning @205MPH.. Will it do it on the road NO, The motor was tuned to WOT there is no cut off in this motor it was tuned to WOT wind tell it BLOWS ..Thats the way I like it runs better ,But have to be very carrful you can blow it up.. The ECM the PCM whatever WOT no cut offs on this one ...
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Fenton MI
Great Link!
: There's not a stock LT4 in the world that will wind to 7500rpm. Stock fuel cutoff is 6400 and even if you removed that the thing is out of breath by 6600. I ran the HOT Cam for years and the hp peak was 6300 and by 6800 it was done. The engine turned a little over 360hp at the wheels on the stock bottom end and was used for years on the race track where it would spend hours bouncing between 4000 and 6600rpm. If you're going to set the fuel cutoff for 6000, you're wasting your time with a cam change.This is my writeup on the HOT Cam and electric water pump install
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Texas
