LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Opti...Again!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 25, 2009 | 10:36 AM
  #1  
94Z28-MSTGKLR's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 2
From: Lacey, WA
Question Opti...Again!

I am replacing the opti on my car again because it keeps losing the high frequency signal. So, was thinking of going ahead with a cam while i'm there. Would need to be able to keep stock valve springs and stuff for a while. Any suggestions? Thinking hot cam kit, it's almost 600 but has everything in it.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2009 | 10:48 AM
  #2  
RamAir95TA's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,467
Likes: 8
From: South Jersey
Default

You cannot simply throw in the hotcam on stock valvesprings - not a good idea at all!

The hotcam kit does supply everything so there's no guesswork. Keep in mind that when you remove the optispark you're only 1/3rd of the way to the cam. You will still need to pull the intake manifold, timing cover and chain.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2009 | 11:49 AM
  #3  
BTC's Avatar
BTC
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 18
From: Lansing, MI via Bowling Green, KY, Dalton GA, Nashville, TN & Atlanta, GA
Default

I've never seen anyone advise using the stock springs with any cam. How expensive are decent springs?
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2009 | 11:53 AM
  #4  
94Z28-MSTGKLR's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 2
From: Lacey, WA
Default

Didn't really think there would be a bigger cam that I could use with stock springs but you never know unless you ask. I know it's only part way there, but i'm also resealing the intake while i'm putting it on so I wouldn't lack anything more than time. Can you use the Hotcam kit without reprogramming it. If I did put a cam in it, I would have to wait a few weeks to tune it.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2009 | 12:00 PM
  #5  
RamAir95TA's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,467
Likes: 8
From: South Jersey
Default

Originally Posted by 94Z28-MSTGKLR
Didn't really think there would be a bigger cam that I could use with stock springs but you never know unless you ask. I know it's only part way there, but i'm also resealing the intake while i'm putting it on so I wouldn't lack anything more than time. Can you use the Hotcam kit without reprogramming it. If I did put a cam in it, I would have to wait a few weeks to tune it.
You can run the hotcam untuned. However, expect less-than-stellar performance. A tune will wake up even a stock car, much less a cammed car.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2009 | 12:49 PM
  #6  
SprayedLT1's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
Default

If you have an air compressor, you can swap the valve springs with the heads on the car by threading a fitting into the spark plug holes. The stock springs are barely good enough for the stock cam.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2009 | 01:42 PM
  #7  
pyro719's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 1
From: colorado springs Elevation: 6035 ft
Default

Get yourself some nice rope and stuff it in the cylinders through the sparkplug hole. easier that the air method and garanteed not to drop a valve.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2009 | 01:43 PM
  #8  
ss.slp.ls1's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
iTrader: (36)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,184
Likes: 28
From: Orange County, CA
Default

There won't be a much more opportune time to swap in a cam, so I would do whatever it takes to come up with the money to get it done.
There is nothing wrong with driving the car unturned for a couple of weeks until you have a chance to tune it.
As for the spring swap...just bring the piston to TDC and replace the four springs at a time. It will be impossible to drop a valve.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-6

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:28 PM.

story-0
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-1
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-3
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-6
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-7
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-8
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE