I've heard most people say the GM Hot Cam doesn't put down good dyno numbers but it does put down excellent track times. From all the searching and various threads I've read on hear it appears this cam doesn't give a huge peak hp/tq jump but rather gives a broad increase through the entire rpm range and that is the reason for the better 1/4 mile times.

So...lets not focus on hp/tq numbers I want to see what your 1/4 miles dropped to and how much mph you picked up.

 

In 100* weather at 630' elevation in high humidity I went a best of 13.25 @ 110.26 on a 2.21 60'. I was on my street tires at 30 psi. I had never run the car before that. I have 16 total passes on the car in 3 years. I am still trying to figure out launching cars properly (see 60' times). At Gateway this year with the McLeod ST and 4.10's on the same tires the car went 13.9 @ 110.60 (2.67 60') in terrible weather (you could feel the water in the air). I couldn't even look at the throttle till third gear without spinnig the tires. I know, I suck at drag racing.

 

Well you mph speaks volumes. You should easily be in the 12's if you can firgure out how to get that hook up. How has the driveabilty of the cam been for you? Any problems over the time frame that you've had it?

 

In my old 99 6 speed, I had hotcam, 4.10's, Borla, lid, Superchips, shifter, GS-C's- I ran a 12.56 @ 112-113. Not a bad budget cam set up at all IMO.

 

crap. i wish i had times to give you man. maybe if i ever get my rear end i will!!

 

lol, people still buy that cam? Sooooooooo many better options available now.

 

I just got back from dynoing my car after installing my Hot Cam, and while I did not hit the 400 mark I was aiming for, I got pretty close.

391.2rwhp, 371.0rwtq SAE (396.5, 376 actual)

Not too bad for a cam only car with an A4!

Now I need to go install my 4.10s (today) & a stall (later) & see if I can run 11s.

PS And while people may dis the Hot Cam, I am very pleased. Good power increase, nice driveability, and VERY nice sound. I get compliments all the time on how it sounds now!

 

Yes it sounds verrrrrrrry nice! Mark....you've optimized your set-up unlike most other people. Your 1.8 rockers take a "so-so" cam and really make it sing & perform. Nice job on the power numbers with stock heads! Those are some of the best numbers that I have seen with this combo.

 

Nineball, it's hard to say that to someone who's on a tight budget though. I don't think there are THAT many options to compare money wise. I went with a comp 224-228 with scoggin dickey springs and retainers, spent $566.

 

IMO, 1.8 rockers should not be considered for this question....that kinda defeats the whole purpose and sole advantage of going with the Hotcam (cost.)

 

Regardless of what many say, the GMPP Hotcam was designed for the LS1, and to work excellent with the stock LS1 heads. It does this very well, and while it does not produce the peak torque horsepower numbers that many prefer, it does produce excellent torque increases across the operating range of the engine. It also does this while being very easy on valve springs. Swapping the the 1.8 rockers does defeat the purpose of this cam.

:waiting in the shadows to strike down the Hotcam-haters that will soon be joining the thread:

 

in my sig

 

"Swapping the the 1.8 rockers does defeat the purpose of this cam."

No? Why not? If you want ANY of the good functional qualities (easy on the valvesprings, sounds *like* a higher performance cam) that the Hotcam has to offer, you can better get them somewhere else. The only TRUE advantage it has over all other cams is the price of admission. Add the cost of rocker arms and you would have been much better off with a real cam.

Anyway, people will argue this one 'till the cows come home but this remains the same...there are two types of Hotcam owners....the ones who've upgraded to another cam and the ones who will.

 

But with those other cams do you get the same valvetrain reliability? How much more horsepower or rather how much faster will you be in the 1/4 mile but at what expense?

The thing I find so attractive about this cam is the fact that is seems very drivetrain friendly and has a very low purchase cost and there is about zero in maintenance cost.

I don't want to be in the same boat as some people here that have to change their springs every 30,000 miles. I put close to 20,000 miles a year on my car so i couldn't see laying out that much cash for parts and labor every year and a half. I'm not trying to flame I'm just trying to educate myself.

 

With a good set of springs, an XE lobe should hardly be a concern to the springs. Besides, changing springs is not that big a deal. XE-R lobes? That's a different story. I'll be changing mine every 25K or so just to be on the safe side. However, the 11.2/121.5 MPH at 3525 lbs with stock gears are well worth the 25K spring changes to me.

 

So many angry non-hotcam owners, with Colonel Coronary as King! Relax!

(and plenty of happy hotcam owners)

Different Strokes for Different Folks..

I've had mine in my daily driver for a year and half and have NO plans of upgrading...

I love the sound, torque range, value, ease on valvetrain, blah blah blah blah blah blah....

Yes, you are 100% right, you can squeeze alot more power out of another cam. Yes! It is true! The secret is out!

Tommy

 

I see. So it's not so much an issue of lift as it is an issue of how fast that lift ramps up.
So a cam with very steep lobes will wear springs out faster than a cam that gradually builds up.

 

Even with 1.8's, am I the only one who finds this guy's numbers high?
Look at the setup.

Either way. Hotcam has its perks. I can see why people would use it ($$$, spring life, etc.). It's just that there are so many other options....

 

No, it wasn't. It's specs were designed for the LT1 engine. The specs are identical to the LT4-hotcam. These engines are completely different, and its very obvious from the decision to go with identical specs as a Gen 2 V8 engine that GM didn't put much effort into the "design" of this cam. Keep in mind that the hotcam was developed before there were good valvesprings available, back then anything with a .558" lift or higher experienced coil bind. The hotcam was also developed before the higher lift 2002 Z06 cam, which GM happily put into their marque car and covered under warranty. We have much better valvesprings available today compared to 1999.

The LS1 hotcam is cheap. Thats the *only* benefit it has going for it. I'd rather buy a low mileage used cam if budget was my main priority.

 

So many angry non-hotcam owners, with Colonel Coronary as King! Relax!"

Now what gave you the impression that I'm angry or up tight just because I voiced what I believe to be an accurate assesment, The Assumer Tommy? Just trying to help folks...as always.

Perhaps, *YOU* need to relax. If you like your Hotcam, man that's great. I'm happy for you. I'll be the first to say that it's a great cam for anyone who doesn't put great performance very high up on their priority list. Of course, the same could be said for the stock cam.