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B1 vs Hot Cam

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Old Jan 23, 2003 | 07:10 AM
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Default B1 vs Hot Cam

I'm still trying to decide on a cam. I will have stock heads, Macs + LM, underdrive pulleys, LS6 intake. My car is an 2000 M6.

I was originally thinking Hot Cam because I would probably only have to change the springs once and forget about it since the lift is not that high. But maybe B1 would be better..

(I have to remain emissions legal also)

What kind of springs should be used with a B1 cam on stock heads? Also, will this cam require changing springs very often? The lift doesn't seem that high...

Thanks!

Tommy <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
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Old Jan 23, 2003 | 07:27 AM
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Default Re: B1 vs Hot Cam

hey! see sig and website for pics/info.
i use 918 springs with my b1 (stock heads).
i think both cams are great. B1 probably makes peak hp higher in the RPM range (mine peaks around 6300). hotcam probably lobes harder because of the 112 lsa (versus the 114 lsa of the B1). but i didn't want something that shakes the car so thats why i got the B1. and its very proven on the dyno, street and track.
good luck!
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Old Jan 23, 2003 | 07:56 AM
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Default Re: B1 vs Hot Cam

I have the b1 also with the 918's. It idles nicely and makes good power. Hot cam idles a bit rougher.
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Old Jan 23, 2003 | 08:21 AM
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Default Re: B1 vs Hot Cam

How often to the valve spring need to be changed?

Thanks!
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Old Jan 23, 2003 | 10:09 AM
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Default Re: B1 vs Hot Cam

Not sure. I am thinking that the lift on the Hotcam is 525 and the B1 is 558. Neither one of them are killer on the valvetrain like some of the XE-r cams that need to have the springs freshened about every 20K miles. Just a guess but I am thinking maybe 50K for the B1/918. Anyone else?


Can someone post up the hotcam specs?

B1-221/221 .558.558 on 114
Only thing I know on the Hotcam is that the Lift is .525?
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Old Jan 23, 2003 | 10:19 AM
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Default Re: B1 vs Hot Cam

I personally would go with the B1 over the Hotcam, but you cant deny the bang for the buck that the Hotcam offers.

As for springs, Comp 918s or something comparable should be fine. You dont need to go with a double spring setup, but it wouldnt hurt.
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Old Jan 23, 2003 | 10:24 AM
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Default Re: B1 vs Hot Cam

Specs:
LS1 Hotcam 218/227 .525.525 LSA 112
B1 221/221 .558.558 LSA 114

What I'm kind of getting from reading many posts is Hot Cam does not give great dyno numbers compared to other cams, but it does great on 1/4 mile times... Is this accurate?

Tommy <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
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Old Jan 23, 2003 | 11:01 AM
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Default Re: B1 vs Hot Cam

The B1 will idle smoother, run cleaner, make more power on the dyno, and will run faster at the track.

The Hotcam is cheaper.
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Old Jan 23, 2003 | 11:10 AM
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Default Re: B1 vs Hot Cam

Is it fair to say:

B1 is harder is on the drivetrain. It will make more power at a higher RPM range.

Hot Cam is more reliable long term (with LS6 springs) It will make more power at a lower RPM range.


Tough decision. The price difference doesn't bother me. Plus the whole 918 spring issue kind of worries me.

Thanks for all the info!

Tommy <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
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Old Jan 24, 2003 | 12:03 AM
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Default Re: B1 vs Hot Cam

Yeah, I think you just about got it. Except the Hotcam has been known to produce some good dyno numbers.

The Hotcam will idle rougher, but peak sooner. The B1 will idle more smoothe and peak a little higher with a little better peak numbers. On the street with factory rev-limits I doubt there would be a whole lot of perf. diff.

-Nick
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Old Jan 24, 2003 | 12:04 AM
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Default Re: B1 vs Hot Cam

It's days like today that make me very happy I have LS6 springs <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> (running LS6 '01 cam), the temperature was 2 degrees this morning and even with 3500 stall I don't worry at all that I'm going to pop a spring and ruin the motor on the way to work. You give up some at the track, but the peace of mind can't be beat. The LS6 springs have proven to be the only dependable ones that don't require head machining. This limit's your cam choices though, of course, everything is a trade-off.
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Old Jan 24, 2003 | 12:41 AM
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Default Re: B1 vs Hot Cam

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Dave Carney:
<strong> It's days like today that make me very happy I have LS6 springs <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> (running LS6 '01 cam), the temperature was 2 degrees this morning and even with 3500 stall I don't worry at all that I'm going to pop a spring and ruin the motor on the way to work. You give up some at the track, but the peace of mind can't be beat. The LS6 springs have proven to be the only dependable ones that don't require head machining. This limit's your cam choices though, of course, everything is a trade-off. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Exactly Dave, visit my thread going on right now and tell me what you think.
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