what kind of springs for a gm hotcam?
03-01-2004, 02:33 PM
#1
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what kind of springs for a gm hotcam? i am not quite sure what springs is should get with the gm hotcam. i know you can get it with the ls6 springs... then i know of the compcam 918's. are there any other ones, or should i just got with the ls6 springs? also, what about dbl springs? thanks for everyones help in advance!
03-01-2004, 02:40 PM
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I went with the LS6 springs for a few reasons.
1- they come with the kit
2- never heard of anyone complain about a defective LS6 spring
3- I am running my stock timing chain, and see no reason to put more strain on the valvetrain, etc...
4- they come with the kit
On the other hand, if you think you are going to go bigger can with more lift in the future (or even if you don't think!), putting on 918's would mean you would not have to do the PITA valve spring swap again....
But there is no reason to go overboard with the spring. More spring pressure is not always better. Matching the spring to the cam is most important IMO.
Tommy
1- they come with the kit
2- never heard of anyone complain about a defective LS6 spring
3- I am running my stock timing chain, and see no reason to put more strain on the valvetrain, etc...
4- they come with the kit
On the other hand, if you think you are going to go bigger can with more lift in the future (or even if you don't think!), putting on 918's would mean you would not have to do the PITA valve spring swap again....
But there is no reason to go overboard with the spring. More spring pressure is not always better. Matching the spring to the cam is most important IMO.
Tommy
03-01-2004, 03:18 PM
#3
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Originally Posted by TaTommyWS6
I went with the LS6 springs for a few reasons.
1- they come with the kit
2- never heard of anyone complain about a defective LS6 spring
3- I am running my stock timing chain, and see no reason to put more strain on the valvetrain, etc...
4- they come with the kit
On the other hand, if you think you are going to go bigger can with more lift in the future (or even if you don't think!), putting on 918's would mean you would not have to do the PITA valve spring swap again....
But there is no reason to go overboard with the spring. More spring pressure is not always better. Matching the spring to the cam is most important IMO.
Tommy
1- they come with the kit
2- never heard of anyone complain about a defective LS6 spring
3- I am running my stock timing chain, and see no reason to put more strain on the valvetrain, etc...
4- they come with the kit
On the other hand, if you think you are going to go bigger can with more lift in the future (or even if you don't think!), putting on 918's would mean you would not have to do the PITA valve spring swap again....
But there is no reason to go overboard with the spring. More spring pressure is not always better. Matching the spring to the cam is most important IMO.
Tommy
03-01-2004, 03:34 PM
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good call. i havent read anything about the ls6 springs being crap. also, i know you can get the cam seprate, thats was another reason i asked about the springs. where did you guys get your hotcam pkg's?
03-01-2004, 03:49 PM
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Ls 6 springs will work fine. BUT i would go with 918's if you already dont have springs. Why? Because if one day you want to upgrade your cam you wont have to swap springs again.
03-01-2004, 05:20 PM
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the only other cam i'd do beside the hotcam is the old cam to go back in for what ever reason. does anyone know where i can get the hotcam pkg for cheeper than the gmpartsdirect.com price of $401.00? i definitly want a new cam and springs. thanks again.
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03-01-2004, 05:45 PM
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I purchased mine from SDPC for $400 also. That is the best price I've found, short of buying a used one, but I wouldn't go used. $400 for a cam and springs (and new seats) it a great price anyways...
One thing they do not mention is, you will need to purchase new valve seals in order to replace the seats(shims). You have to remove the old seals, then the old seats, then install the new seats, then the new seals. I had my engine apart before I realized this and it added days to my cam swap...
Good luck!
Tommy
One thing they do not mention is, you will need to purchase new valve seals in order to replace the seats(shims). You have to remove the old seals, then the old seats, then install the new seats, then the new seals. I had my engine apart before I realized this and it added days to my cam swap...
Good luck!
Tommy
03-02-2004, 06:04 AM
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The Hotcam kit comes with a cam, LS6 springs, and seats (also called shims).
The seats are slightly thicker than the stock seats. It is recommended that you do install the new new seats. The reason for this is, the LS6 springs have more pressure than the stock LS1 springs, and the thicker seats will help the aluminum heads deal with the added pressure. (Aluminum is soft, so it needs these.)
Also, since the new seats are slightly thicker, it will also increase the preload on the spring, ever so slightly.
Replacing the seats and valve seals is trivial compared to the annoyance of worling with the God forsaken keepers. I would really recommend just doing them.
Good luck.
Tommy
The seats are slightly thicker than the stock seats. It is recommended that you do install the new new seats. The reason for this is, the LS6 springs have more pressure than the stock LS1 springs, and the thicker seats will help the aluminum heads deal with the added pressure. (Aluminum is soft, so it needs these.)
Also, since the new seats are slightly thicker, it will also increase the preload on the spring, ever so slightly.
Replacing the seats and valve seals is trivial compared to the annoyance of worling with the God forsaken keepers. I would really recommend just doing them.
Good luck.
Tommy
03-02-2004, 09:29 AM
#16
Originally Posted by Gr8WhtLS1
LS6 springs would be better though dont get me wrong but the stockers will work. But if they come with kit then get the kit.
the hot cam comes with ls6 springs for a reason. stock springs are only good for a stock cam. sure you might be able to get away with stock springs on a hot cam but i wouldnt count on that setup lasting to long and once the spring breaks its mr. piston meets ms. valve
03-02-2004, 09:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Gr8WhtLS1
LS6 springs would be better though dont get me wrong but the stockers will work. But if they come with kit then get the kit.
NO!!!
03-02-2004, 10:08 AM
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yea, i dont think that going with the stock springs would be the way to go. the cam has a higer lift than the stock. plus like everyone else has said, the springs come with the cam for a reason. so right now im making 340 rwhp and 355 rwtq with slp LT's, UD pully, cats, borla, lid & filter and minor ls1 edit. plus some minor things like sprak pluggs and wires. should i be seeing about 30 rwhp out of this? does that seem resaonable? i will be dyno tuning it the day of install.
03-02-2004, 10:10 AM
#20
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Originally Posted by steelsnow
yea, i dont think that going with the stock springs would be the way to go. the cam has a higer lift than the stock. plus like everyone else has said, the springs come with the cam for a reason. so right now im making 340 rwhp and 355 rwtq with slp LT's, UD pully, cats, borla, lid & filter and minor ls1 edit. plus some minor things like sprak pluggs and wires. should i be seeing about 30 rwhp out of this? does that seem resaonable? i will be dyno tuning it the day of install.
I've seen anywhere from 360 to 385rwhp from the hotcam.