Hotcam help
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
From: Walton KY
Hotcam help
My car is a 94 6speed coupe. After years of putting off any serious mods, I am ready to do a simple cam swap to pick up a little power. It is unlikely I will ever do much more than the cam. I know I want a GMPP LT4 Hotcmam kit (12480002). I have an MSD Opti and newer water pump already on. I want to do the timing chain set while I am in there since I'm right at 100K. Should I go with stock LT1, LT4, or LT4 Extreme? I am confused on combo of MSD Opti and cam spline/pin. I did Opti a while back and can't remember what it all looks like.
What else will I need for swap besides new gaskets?
Going to let Cincinnati Speed do a few before dyno runs then do swap and tune.
Mods are simple; open lid, K&N, Hooker shorties, Magnaflow cats, Corsa cat back, E3 plugs, MT DRs on factory Sawblades. Fastest run 13.21 at 107.54. Shooting for 12.99 for heads up class at local tracks.
What else will I need for swap besides new gaskets?
Going to let Cincinnati Speed do a few before dyno runs then do swap and tune.
Mods are simple; open lid, K&N, Hooker shorties, Magnaflow cats, Corsa cat back, E3 plugs, MT DRs on factory Sawblades. Fastest run 13.21 at 107.54. Shooting for 12.99 for heads up class at local tracks.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 549
Likes: 13
From: Richmond VA
Other than the gaskets you do not require anything else. At 100k I would replace the chain, which one depends on how you drive. If you are going to keep it under a stock LT1 redline any of the 3 will work, if you plan on reving it to 6k or more then go with the LT4 Ext.
You can change a lot more but all depends on what you want /drive it.
Do not worry about the pin on the cam you can shorten it for the 94 opti
You can change a lot more but all depends on what you want /drive it.
Do not worry about the pin on the cam you can shorten it for the 94 opti
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
From: Walton KY
That is what I was worried about. Either I need to forget whole deal, buy a new Opti, or pray a new LT1 timing set won't let loose. I am aiming for a 6250 redline. Car is mostly street driven but hits the strip for about 50 runs a year plus some stupidity on the street.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
That is what I was worried about. Either I need to forget whole deal, buy a new Opti, or pray a new LT1 timing set won't let loose. I am aiming for a 6250 redline. Car is mostly street driven but hits the strip for about 50 runs a year plus some stupidity on the street.
Cost about $90.00
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mel-3-509sb
Now.... I just double checking my PN's and links as I recite this stuff mostly from memory and I don't want to give anyone bad info...
Anyway - I just noticed that Lunati has replaced the Melling mfgr'd set with new PN that says it has billet steel gears..... Lunati PN 92126. If it's really cut for the spline drive Opti's at only $120 it would a god send and great deal for you guys modifying early LT1's....
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/lun-92126
These 2 options are the best your going to get without converting to a 95 and up timing cover, chain set and optispark.
Will
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
From: Walton KY
OK So a parts list.....
GMPP HotCam kit which has rockers and no lifters OR Comp which has lifters and no rockers
My current MSD Opti
Lunati Roller timing set
Gaskets
Dyno tune
I am also assuming stock timing cover will work.
Having to spend another $450 for a new Opti won't break the bank but might put this on hold again.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet+Perf...Code=LTCAMSXFI
http://www.jegs.com/i/MSD+Ignition/121/8381/10002/-1
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/lun-92126/overview/
http://www.jegs.com/i/Comp+Cams/249/K07-467-8/10002/-1
GMPP HotCam kit which has rockers and no lifters OR Comp which has lifters and no rockers
My current MSD Opti
Lunati Roller timing set
Gaskets
Dyno tune
I am also assuming stock timing cover will work.
Having to spend another $450 for a new Opti won't break the bank but might put this on hold again.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet+Perf...Code=LTCAMSXFI
http://www.jegs.com/i/MSD+Ignition/121/8381/10002/-1
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/lun-92126/overview/
http://www.jegs.com/i/Comp+Cams/249/K07-467-8/10002/-1
Last edited by dchildress; Jul 25, 2013 at 03:12 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
OK So a parts list.....
GMPP HotCam kit which has rockers and no lifters OR Comp which has lifters and no rockers
My current MSD Opti
Lunati Roller timing set
Gaskets
Dyno tune
I am also assuming stock timing cover will work.
Having to spend another $450 for a new Opti won't break the bank but might put this on hold again.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet+Perf...Code=LTCAMSXFI
http://www.jegs.com/i/MSD+Ignition/121/8381/10002/-1
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/lun-92126/overview/
GMPP HotCam kit which has rockers and no lifters OR Comp which has lifters and no rockers
My current MSD Opti
Lunati Roller timing set
Gaskets
Dyno tune
I am also assuming stock timing cover will work.
Having to spend another $450 for a new Opti won't break the bank but might put this on hold again.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet+Perf...Code=LTCAMSXFI
http://www.jegs.com/i/MSD+Ignition/121/8381/10002/-1
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/lun-92126/overview/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12499225
I can't imagine your MSD Opti needs to be replaced and if it does MSD will fix it... I recently had one with about 30,000 (HARD) miles on it that a broken cam pin damaged and MSD totally rebuilt it for like $50.00
I have no experience with the new Lunati chain set but the old one and the Melling timing set fit under the stock covers no problem.
Stock pushrods should be good to re-use on the GM kit as the cam base circle is the same as factory but I don't know about the Comp Cams kit.
Will
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
From: Walton KY
Thanks for your help guys. I guess if I had a 95 I wouldn't be so worried about parts matching up. I don't want to get it torn down and realize the MSD won't work with new cam or new timing set won't work with cam. Big factor is deadline is big local heads up race August 17th. I need to get it torn down, rebuilt, and tuned by then.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
Thanks for your help guys. I guess if I had a 95 I wouldn't be so worried about parts matching up. I don't want to get it torn down and realize the MSD won't work with new cam or new timing set won't work with cam. Big factor is deadline is big local heads up race August 17th. I need to get it torn down, rebuilt, and tuned by then.
The "long dowl pin" as it's refered to that comes in GM HOT CAM (which is needed for 95 -97 LTX's) can simply be tapped in deeper with a small hammer or cut off or ground down to the correct shorter length for use in a 92-94 LT1.
I understand deadlines and yours seems reasonable given the work your trying to accomplish.
Will
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
Nothing wrong with the GM Hot Cam for what your trying to do...
Another factor is that it's easy to get a PCM tuned for since there are so many Hot Cam LT1's out there... not so much with another cam grind that tuners don't have any/as much experience with.
Your biggest hold back is going to be the stock unported cy heads but even with the stock heads I think your goal of 12.90's is still attainable with favorable weather and track conditions.
Just FYI - I have seen well ported stock LT1 heads (TEA) and a Hot Cam kit on a 100K stock bottom end run 11.60's in a 93 Vert with a tune from Alvin at PCM4 Less.
Will
Another factor is that it's easy to get a PCM tuned for since there are so many Hot Cam LT1's out there... not so much with another cam grind that tuners don't have any/as much experience with.
Your biggest hold back is going to be the stock unported cy heads but even with the stock heads I think your goal of 12.90's is still attainable with favorable weather and track conditions.
Just FYI - I have seen well ported stock LT1 heads (TEA) and a Hot Cam kit on a 100K stock bottom end run 11.60's in a 93 Vert with a tune from Alvin at PCM4 Less.
Will
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 165
From: Motor City
Some good info in this thread, thanks rklessdriver. I'm thinking of pulling the trigger next spring on the LT4 hot cam, but still deciding what to do (if anything with the heads). Maybe send them out for a little bit of porting but that adds alot of $ on top of just the hotcam kit. hmmm
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
From: Walton KY
Buddy of mine is pushing me towards the Comp Cams 503.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Comp-Cams/249/07-503-8/10002/-1
He has had 2 LT1 Camaros and currently has a 2012 C6 running 11.11 in a 1/4 on motor alone, no bottle, no forced induction. He knows his stuff. Anybody running this cam?
http://www.jegs.com/i/Comp-Cams/249/07-503-8/10002/-1
He has had 2 LT1 Camaros and currently has a 2012 C6 running 11.11 in a 1/4 on motor alone, no bottle, no forced induction. He knows his stuff. Anybody running this cam?