What Kind Of Cam Should I Get??
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From: Battle Mountain, NV
What Kind Of Cam Should I Get?? I have a 1996 LT1. I have hooker headers, catback, and a 75 shot of N2O. I am looking for power, but still ok gas mileage. Please give me sites of the cam you think I should buy. And also do i need springs, and rockers??
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: H-Town, Texas
Originally Posted by strobelite
I have a 1996 LT1. I have hooker headers, catback, and a 75 shot of N2O. I am looking for power, but still ok gas mileage. Please give me sites of the cam you think I should buy. And also do i need springs, and rockers??
Originally Posted by '97SLVRBullet
I am really happy with my LT4 hotcam set up. I drive alot for my job and I also play around alot. It was a good choice. I drove 180 miles on 9 gallons of gas so whatever that works out to. You can go to GM or Summit or any number of the vendors sites listed on the right and you should be able to find something. To put the hotcam in you will need 1.6 roller rockers, 550lbs springs...I think thats right, you will for sure need taller valve covers also. Go check out the package deals some of these places offer.
Thanks, I needed a laugh tonight 
And no, you dont need roller rockers or taller valve covers to put in a cam.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
From: Tinley Park
I have never heard of needing RR or valve covers. Springs and retainers would be good to get. With the hotcam though, all their numbers i have seen was with 1.6RR though. So if you want those numbers then you would have to change.
TECH Resident
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 943
Likes: 2
From: Houston
you do not need larger roller rockers to install the cam, it is not needded. Also, if you decide to run a larger rocker arm, you will not need a taller valve cover. The 1.6 RRs will no tmake contact with the stock valve covers.
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: H-Town, Texas
I didn't get taller covers for my health. I don't remeber all the specs off hand on everything but when I get on land I will post them. When you get a larger cam why just do that. You go the cheap route and thats a good way to break ****, you want some real advice, call a speed shop and ask them. I won't sit here an argue with people about what has to, needs to, or should be done. (HPE, or MTI, or some shop like that)
Trending Topics
Originally Posted by '97SLVRBullet
I didn't get taller covers for my health. I don't remeber all the specs off hand on everything but when I get on land I will post them. When you get a larger cam why just do that. You go the cheap route and thats a good way to break ****, you want some real advice, call a speed shop and ask them. I won't sit here an argue with people about what has to, needs to, or should be done. (HPE, or MTI, or some shop like that)
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0
Brett Foote
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever
Verdad Gallardo
i have the cc306 with 1.6 rr's and have factory valve covers. you do not need bigger valve covers. depending on what rr you get, the rr's may tap the valve covers,but it's no big deal. also depending on what size cam you get will may or may not need springs, but i would recommend new ones for any new cam, just b/c stock springs are weak. also, all rr's do is give you more lift, which will give more hp.
as for as a cam for your mods and the n20. i'd get a cam with a decent split in duration and lift. the cc306 likes n20 a lot, but you may want ported heads with that cam. then again you could go with the cc304 or 305. it depends on what your really looking for.
as for as a cam for your mods and the n20. i'd get a cam with a decent split in duration and lift. the cc306 likes n20 a lot, but you may want ported heads with that cam. then again you could go with the cc304 or 305. it depends on what your really looking for.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters, MO
I have installed a CC306 cam with 1.6rr's and valve springs etc....and the valve covers are just fine....the rr's dont even tap them.....so umm....the guy who said u need taller valve covers....go throw yourself off a cliff....I mean seriously...recommending a hotcam and then taller valvecovers...this guy cant be thinking clearly 
. The hotcam was hot about 10 yrs ago...it simply doesnt compare to todays latest profile cams. For the tunability issues its not that great of a performer...but does sound nice. I'm still laughing about the taller valve covers comment.....
. The hotcam was hot about 10 yrs ago...it simply doesnt compare to todays latest profile cams. For the tunability issues its not that great of a performer...but does sound nice. I'm still laughing about the taller valve covers comment..... 
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
What would be the best cam to pass emissions in CA? I believe the 306 wont pass, but thats just what i have heard, im not sure on that. I actually already have the 1.6rr's and valve springs but I havent gotten around to picking out a cam. Any help would be great.
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: H-Town, Texas
I didn't advise anyone of anything, I said I like the way my car performs and yes it may have been premature to answer a post after I've been up 36hours so pardon me. I do however recall we needed different valve covers but for the life of me I can't think of why. As for the r/r's and springs and what not, no I never said you needed them I said that it was a good idea and that is what I did. Hovever I appologize for any mis-information.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters, MO
Originally Posted by z28ss43
What would be the best cam to pass emissions in CA? I believe the 306 wont pass, but thats just what i have heard, im not sure on that. I actually already have the 1.6rr's and valve springs but I havent gotten around to picking out a cam. Any help would be great.
And yes you will NEED springs and retainers if you go up in cam size...i.e lift. Roller rockers are not necessary but are a good idea for adjusting valves and less wear and tear on valvetrain components. Pushrods and lifters are a great idea also....however valve covers are absolutley in no way shape or form needed...unless you were going to run a a stud girdle or something odd like that.....and even then i'm pretty positive it would fit. I would recommend comp cams tho...their high energy series is great...give em a shout.....and yes 97silverbullet...you are an idiot.
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Cordova, TN
Try Combination Motorsports LT1 Cams
They are a sponsor here and have a huge variety of LT1 cams, including NO2 grinds.
They are a sponsor here and have a huge variety of LT1 cams, including NO2 grinds.
I have the CC 306, and CMS (Link posted by Mike Frey) EX-612 spring kit. Running the stock 1.5 rockers. 
Combo hauls *** (untuned) and Im seeing teens for gas mileage (hoping the tune will bring that up some..) However Im sure it wouldnt pass emissions..
My friend sprays a 150 shot with the CC 305 cam and has gone 11.40s using shorty headers. Anyways..my point is if the 305 will pass emissions it appears to be a good cam to spray with.
Combo hauls *** (untuned) and Im seeing teens for gas mileage (hoping the tune will bring that up some..) However Im sure it wouldnt pass emissions.. My friend sprays a 150 shot with the CC 305 cam and has gone 11.40s using shorty headers. Anyways..my point is if the 305 will pass emissions it appears to be a good cam to spray with.
Since you are running some laughing gas, I would recommend getting a cam that has a grind suitable for nitrous applications. The guys at Comp Cams would be able to help you with a specific cam. I would talk to a representative from there and see what cam they suggest.
With the 1.6/1 roller rockers you can use the stock valve covers, but you will need to cut off the drip tabs to allow them to properly fit. I put 1.6/1 Comp Cam Pro Magnum Rockers on my Vette and had to do this to get the covers to sea on the gaskets.
I would also recommend at least some mild porting of your heads if you are upgrading the cam.
With the 1.6/1 roller rockers you can use the stock valve covers, but you will need to cut off the drip tabs to allow them to properly fit. I put 1.6/1 Comp Cam Pro Magnum Rockers on my Vette and had to do this to get the covers to sea on the gaskets.
I would also recommend at least some mild porting of your heads if you are upgrading the cam.
Phil @ Advanced Induction is supposed to be top-notch for custom grinds suited to your application.
I'd recommend springs and roller rockers with whatever cam you choose. It really depends on how aggressive your looking to make your car. I personally don't like mild or anything inbetween so I'll keep my humble cam opinions to myself. But at least get something at least no smaller than a baby hotcam and definitely use RRs and better springs, retainers, locks, 1-piece cmoly pushrods, etc etc.
I'd recommend springs and roller rockers with whatever cam you choose. It really depends on how aggressive your looking to make your car. I personally don't like mild or anything inbetween so I'll keep my humble cam opinions to myself. But at least get something at least no smaller than a baby hotcam and definitely use RRs and better springs, retainers, locks, 1-piece cmoly pushrods, etc etc.
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: south louisiana
My Cam I AM USING THE COMP CAMS 503. WHICH IS 224-230
X .504-.510 LIFT WITH 5/1 ROCKERS.536X.544 WITH
6/1 ROCKERS. I USE THE 5/1 ON THE STREET AND THE 6/1 ON THE TRACK. I LOVE IT!!! YES YOU NEED SPRINGS.
X .504-.510 LIFT WITH 5/1 ROCKERS.536X.544 WITH
6/1 ROCKERS. I USE THE 5/1 ON THE STREET AND THE 6/1 ON THE TRACK. I LOVE IT!!! YES YOU NEED SPRINGS.
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Actually, with the hotcam kit with the larger rockers, I had problems with the stock Lt1 valve covers, so I bought the LT4 composite valve covers and no more problems.
I passed smog easy with the hotcam and other mods.
I passed smog easy with the hotcam and other mods.
