HotCam and componants
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,756
Likes: 0
From: Wichita KS
HotCam and componants
A while back someone posted a link to where they purchased their GM HotCam. The price was very low. All I remember was it was an engine builder that also sold components. Had to be a forum vendor.
Here are the springs I ordered:
http://competitionproducts.com/prodi...p?number=98215
Just returned from the dealer. Someone said LT4 retainers were inexpensive. Need to find out where to buy them as our local dealer wanted $8.00ea for just one keeper, times 32. Retainers were $12ea X16.
I guess the reason I am leaning towards the HotCam is, I want the engine to sound like it has a cam in it. Car is a '95 6-speed with LT headers, 4:10 gear. Otherwise it's a 12K mile car that doesn't get driven much. Later mods I have planned are a set of AFR heads and some kind of aftermarket intake. Haven't researched intakes yet.
So, if not a GM HotCam, what would you suggest?
Here are the springs I ordered:
http://competitionproducts.com/prodi...p?number=98215
Just returned from the dealer. Someone said LT4 retainers were inexpensive. Need to find out where to buy them as our local dealer wanted $8.00ea for just one keeper, times 32. Retainers were $12ea X16.
I guess the reason I am leaning towards the HotCam is, I want the engine to sound like it has a cam in it. Car is a '95 6-speed with LT headers, 4:10 gear. Otherwise it's a 12K mile car that doesn't get driven much. Later mods I have planned are a set of AFR heads and some kind of aftermarket intake. Haven't researched intakes yet.
So, if not a GM HotCam, what would you suggest?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
That cam was made for your car.
But to get to LT4 specs u will need an LT4 intake and LT4 heads. I read u got a bit ahead of yourself here as GMPP sells the cam as a package with vlv springs and rocker arms. Those are barrel wound springs in the kit that weight less and will make higher rpm.
GM used to sell a complete LT4 top end package with the hot cam kit but they stopped selling the LT4 intake. Now Edelbrock has come to the rescue with an LT4 Hi-Po intake - so u can still build your own. The LT4 package with the Hot cam kit was rated something like 435hp - not shabby for a 350 daily driver. U can spend a lot more time and $$$ experimenting on your own or u can buy parts for 435hp today.
Hope this helps ya,
cardo0
GM used to sell a complete LT4 top end package with the hot cam kit but they stopped selling the LT4 intake. Now Edelbrock has come to the rescue with an LT4 Hi-Po intake - so u can still build your own. The LT4 package with the Hot cam kit was rated something like 435hp - not shabby for a 350 daily driver. U can spend a lot more time and $$$ experimenting on your own or u can buy parts for 435hp today.
Hope this helps ya,
cardo0
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,756
Likes: 0
From: Wichita KS
I read where the "behive" springs were prone to breakage. Another forum member post: "stock diameter spring Lloyd Elliot recommends" which are the K-Motion springs listed in my above post.
I have a steel table to hold all the horsepower I'm leaving on it
At this point there is too much unknown in our future. Right now I feel just doing a cam swap will keep me happy. Later on as the economy crashes around us and unemployment sky-rockets, I will be glad that I just stuck a cam in the engine. If the stock market, banks and housing don't crumble into the drink. I will spend the cash on heads and an intake. I have heard the Edelbrock intake flowed roughly the same as a stock LT4 intake.
I thought someone might suggest another brand of cam that was similar to the HotCam but had a little more lift and used the same springs, lifters etc....
I have a steel table to hold all the horsepower I'm leaving on it
At this point there is too much unknown in our future. Right now I feel just doing a cam swap will keep me happy. Later on as the economy crashes around us and unemployment sky-rockets, I will be glad that I just stuck a cam in the engine. If the stock market, banks and housing don't crumble into the drink. I will spend the cash on heads and an intake. I have heard the Edelbrock intake flowed roughly the same as a stock LT4 intake. I thought someone might suggest another brand of cam that was similar to the HotCam but had a little more lift and used the same springs, lifters etc....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Okay, so you're on a budget too. Well get ready as u did into the block u gonn'a find plenty of "while i'm at it" items. And if u really what to save some pennys u may want to shop for a used "Hot Cam" as i have read all GM Gen II cams were steel which in turn has a looooonnng life. U would need to measure lobe and journal runout of course. But I see them for sale used here and on the camaro forums also. And if you have the time then just buy the parts as u see them come up for sale on the used market.
I have a hard time believing all those Hot Cam kits and LT4 heads GM sold had bad springs. The General spends a lot more $$$ developing their products than any aftermarket company can afford. I believe a lot of parts are incorrectly installed and or in the wrong application and we also hear more about the bad than the good.
I hear nothing but good about Loyd Elliot but as u can see his prices though reasonable but are not pocket change either.
Good luck,
cardo0
I have a hard time believing all those Hot Cam kits and LT4 heads GM sold had bad springs. The General spends a lot more $$$ developing their products than any aftermarket company can afford. I believe a lot of parts are incorrectly installed and or in the wrong application and we also hear more about the bad than the good.
I hear nothing but good about Loyd Elliot but as u can see his prices though reasonable but are not pocket change either.
Good luck,
cardo0
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,756
Likes: 0
From: Wichita KS
I found this post on the forum while surfing cam info.
"don't buy the comp 918 beehives ,lots of broken engines from them lately.i was on z28.com and there was a big thread on all the carnage,apparently comp switched suppliers and had there springs made in mexico to save money and there is a bad bunch of springs out there.Check to make sure what you buy isn't the lot number that has the problems,or buy the patriot springs (comps old supplier)."
"don't buy the comp 918 beehives ,lots of broken engines from them lately.i was on z28.com and there was a big thread on all the carnage,apparently comp switched suppliers and had there springs made in mexico to save money and there is a bad bunch of springs out there.Check to make sure what you buy isn't the lot number that has the problems,or buy the patriot springs (comps old supplier)."
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Ok, those are the Comp Cams vlv springs and not the GM products that come with the hot cam kit (i think they are the stock LT4 spring).
Thx for the info as i will be price shopping for those springs soon myself and its good to know this.
Anyways it shouldn't be much more $$$ to buy GM springs but i will look into Patriot too. The idea is the barrel spring has the same pressures as the double springs but nearly halve the weight. Allows for higher rpm's will a simpler vlv train.
Any luck with a new (or used) cam Ryan? Let us know what is out there.
cardo0
Thx for the info as i will be price shopping for those springs soon myself and its good to know this.Anyways it shouldn't be much more $$$ to buy GM springs but i will look into Patriot too. The idea is the barrel spring has the same pressures as the double springs but nearly halve the weight. Allows for higher rpm's will a simpler vlv train.
Any luck with a new (or used) cam Ryan? Let us know what is out there.
cardo0
