MarkRx

I have an 08 coupe with an LS3. my question is this... I'm looking at the GM LS3 376/480 crate motor. It's the same LS3 in the vette but they changed the cam to increase the power to 480HP. Here's the specs from the GM performance website:

"The GM Performance Parts engineers picked the LS Hot Cam (p/n 12617570) to take the LS3 to the next level. This cam specs out with .525-inch intake and exhaust valve lift. Duration (@ .050 inches) is 219° intake and 228° exhaust. This cam allows for a dramatic increase in power across the power band while still maintaining good street manners. The engine will idle and cruise just like an LS3, but the power increase is there whenever you need it. "

Can you swap cams and that's it or do you need to also add rockers, heads, new ECU, etc ?

I'm thinking i want to start modding it even tho i said i wouldn't. Everyone is going the vararam, headers, tune route. I may go vararam and that's it or cam if it's reliable.

Fore58

Not too many forum members are using the so-called Hot Cam.....because there are much better cams out there. Do a search and you find a lot more information about cams. I've just ordered the 224/228 .581/.588 114LSA.....nice mild cam.

MarkRx

i found a few old posts about this cam, but figured someone has installe one by now and curious as to what the results were. my hunch is the ls3 is a tad over rated, a mild cam with rockers like the 376/480 may yield that extra 50hp they are advertising. if you go with the cam you're talking about, are rockers a must? what else must be changed with a cam swap? i'm not quite interested in headers yet.

3 Z06ZR1

The hot cam is much milder. Looks like the stock springs would be fine, plus you would think it would be real easy on the valve train!
Last for a long time Just a few pluses as it trades that for more power.Like the one you have listed
Thinking about but would like to see one in action.

Fore58

Sorry, I forgot to mention....it's going with my L92/L76 combo. If I was staying with my stock head/intake, I would have opted for the 228/232. Several mechanic I have spoken to like this cam for the LS2 stock head/intake or FAST Intake.
Here's another cam similar to the Hot Cam: Thunder Racing Cheater Cam LS2 215/230 .629/.592 LSA 117 stock idle. However, the lift is ridiculous.

xstang

I ran the Cheatr cam for three years in my 05.... It was a 215/232.... 117... My dad still has one in his car and loves it... It idles like stock... With that said, the hotcam has better valve events for the LS3 and will make more power.

old motorhead

Most guys don't use the hot cam because it isn't much of a change weighed against a fairly involved installation. I'm going a whole lot bigger when my cam is changed. In the end, it's your $. If a small bump in HP while maintaining near stock drivability is what you're after, it will provide that.

Bulitt

Well said. Also you may be able to keep your warranty with the GM cam ???

Ragtop 99

The big split of the hotcam works well on stock exhaust manifolds. It is a bit overkill if you are putting the motor into a car with headers and you can get more effective aftermarket grinds.

It will make more power than stock even with headers, so if warranty is an issue, I'd probably opt to take it.

Craigster05

That cam has been around since the LS1 days....nothing special at all.

MarkRx

what makes it special is it's covered under warranty... this is the only reason i'm even thinking of doing a cam swap.

elfatty

i was thinkin the same .. want to go with a cam BUT want to keep my warranty... i have the money to do it BUT i wont have the money to fix it if i lose the warranty...hehehe..... i am going the vararam, kooks headers high flow cats x-pipe and finally the cam way.. wish me luck

Never2mucHP

Are you planning on having a dealer install the cam? If not and you have a valvetrain problem after the install, they wont honor the warranty because you tore into the motor.

NIGHTSTALKER

...Had one in my 99 LS1 TA....Not impressed....More bark than bite

jrpedraza

I find it interesting that this particular cam would maintain the warranty of the vehicle, especially since it directly affects the valvetrain and a tune will be a requirement. I'm sure a stipulation of the warranty would be that the dealer would have to install it - at THEIR hourly rate.

As long as it's covered under warranty, I would go ahead and really maximize the efficiency of the engine by 'fixing' the breathing i.e. headers, cai. Maybe even an underdrive pulley, as long as it's apart anyway. I guess there are still lots of questions as to what will really be covered with what parts. There's no doubt that headers and a cai will improve efficiency and performance of the cam, the question would be what does the dealer honoring the warranty have to say about it.

JR