Hotcam right for me?
 

Hey guys! I've been researching cams for quite a while now. I've searched and researched a long time on this site, which I got a lot of info from. At first, the TR 224 224 112 was one I had thought about a lot. But after going through all the possible cam choices, I have really liked the Hotcam. I know it is not the biggest power maker, but I'm not really concerned with being the fastest. My car is going to be for daily driving and for the most part street racing, and not track use. I like the choppy idle the hotcam gives as well and the reliable low lift. My goal is running 11s and making around 380 rwhp- 400 rwhp. (Along with this cam, I am installing Pacesetter LTs, custom catted Y Pipe, ASP crank pulley along with my GMMG and lid). Do you think the hotcam is the right choice for my needs? What would be the positives of the hotcam in my situation? Thanks a lot guys!

Also, is anybody selling a hotcam with LS6 springs by chance? If so, please let me know. Also, is 25,000 miles on a cam a lot? I found a hotcam with 25,000 miles on it? Would there be any problems with having that amount of mileage? Thanks again guys! Sorry it is so long!

put in better valve springs that way if you change your mind a cam is an afternoon job. To get the most from it and keep the drivability it will need tuning, I'de like to hear that cam with your exhaust setup it'll scare the neighbors.

I have my Hotcam kit for sell, but as of right now it is spoken for.

it sounds like a good cam for you, it'll sound great with your set up, good reliability, some say the hot cam will beat the TR 224 in a street race. :)
the cam also likes the spray.

the hot cam isnt as plug and play as you thing. i'd opt for the 224 112 w/ some 918's. both cams will require new spings and a tune to get the most out of them, why do the same amount of work for less power.

TTT Anymore opinions guys?

What makes you think the Hotcam will get you near 400rwhp?
There's a few freaks out there, but the norm is 365-380.

For 11's with the Hotcam, add some good tires to that list of yours.

If you want 400Rwhp, then your gonna need a lot of little goodies with a hotcam. That's exactly what I'm trying to do with my set up. Daily driver con heuvos. My TR220 and you hotcam seem to dyno close to where I think you'll need to do everything I have, and I have about 30 rwhp to go. I think I'm going with an electric water pump and an LS6 intake to try to fill the gap. 224 = easier to hit 400 rwhp IMO. hotcam = more daily driver friendly. 2 cents.....
:devil: Laters.

I really don't think the Hotcam is for anyone..You can get an X1 ot TR230 to idle and drive better with more power output across the rev range.Some people have good luck with the Hotcam,but most switch them out for a bigger setup...

BlkBrdWS6 did mention that one of his main goals in the reliability of a low-lift cam. That being said, there are not too many off the shelf cam selections meeting this criteria. Sure, a .600 lift cam will outperform gm's hotcam, but some people get a little disturbed by the sewing machine sound their engine will make, especially if they put hundreds of miles a week on their car. Also, with the latest rash of subzero weather in the Northeast, its kinda nice not having to worry as much about spring failure, etc...

All I'm saying is everyone has different goals, and their goals may change over time. It's cool trying to "warn" people that they might not be happy in the long term with a particular setup, but who the hell is ever satified when it comes to making hp?!?!?

I've had my hotcam for about a year, and everytime I get in my car I am pleased. I love the idle, the torque is good, etc... Sure, maybe in a year or two I will want something different. Variety is the spice of life, and I bet if I had went with a TR224 I would want something different eventually anyway!

Well good luck with your decision!

Tommy :)

i have a new hotcam kit "when i say new i mean never out of the box" PM me if you want it

i just never installed it, i still have not installed a cam... :gruffy:

i would go with something bigger

i have a 224 and it will be coming out in a couple weeks

you will always want something bigger down the road

I say try it. You may like it. If not, change it, and sell the Hotcam. If the weather warms up, come by and I'll take you for a ride in a Hotcam car.

Thanks!
 

Hey thanks for the opinions guys! I still think I am going to try out the hotcam. My goals are to make around 380 rwhp (along with Pacesetter LTs, custom catted Y pipe, ASP crank pulley), good driveability, good midrange power, good street manners (street race), lopey idle, reliability, and pass emissions. Maybe I will want bigger later, but I think I will be happy with this cam. I've heard it has great torque under the curve, and I'm not really looking for peaky power either. I just want to have a good runner on the street and just be able to cruise when I want to without problems.

Also, will this cam void my warranty? I have heard since it is a GM cam they won't void it, but that sounds too good to be true. :nod: Anyways, anymore opinions are welcome and thanks for all your help so far!

Good luck on passing emissions with the Hotcam.

Honestly, I think I'd call up one of the vendors like MTI, Futral, or Thunder Racing and ask for a custom grind...something in the 224-228 duration range with a low lift of .550 or so and a 110-112 LSA since you want it to lope a little. Tell 'em you want the somewhat slower XE lobes. Get a good set of valvesprings and they should be good to go for a looooooooong time. If you need to pass emissions, keep the duration down to 220-224 and the LSA to 114-116. Bye, bye rumpity rumpity though.

Something like that would kick the Notcam's tail in every performance regard.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

If you are gonna have that killer exhaust system then you may not need the extra exhaust duration of the Hotcam either. I'd say a custom grind like a 226°/220° :nod: .566"/.550" ;) on a 110° LSA :hump: straight up or advanced 2° for a 108° IC. :drive:

While the Hot Cam may be a good choice for you, as it seem to fit your original criteria...you can see that it is many people's favorite red headed step child of a cam.

From what I see, the kit is cheap, the cam makes 375-380hp and it's lopey. It is what is.

my .02. The hotcam is frickin fun!! On my last 99 6m, I had Borla, lid, shifter, 4.10's, HPP3, hotcam kit, torque arm bushing, stock TB, stock MAF (!screen), and on GSC's I ran 12.50's @112-113. Imagine lt's, ls6 intake, ported TB, MAF, lt's, and a 12 bolt with DR's!!! You tell me what it should have run then. A lot of people absolutely judge things by hp gain, usually peak. Across the band is what matters (duh) and I turned 6600 rpms. My latest 99 has the 224/228 581 on a 112 and with the same mods but no tuning it has ran 12.73 @ 112 on sucky GT2's. I would expect 12.40's with good Firestones and being able to turn 6700.
If price is a concern, it's tough to beat it. Emissions here don't use a sniffer anymore, just the obd readings.