I am doing an LT1 intake conversion to the L98 in my 1991 corvette, and I've decided to do a cam at the same time. Since I'll be adding the LT1 intake, and the stock head flow numbers are only about 10 less CFM on the L98 heads VS the LT1, I figured I'd ask for your opinions. I was pretty seriously considering the Hotcam because I have the LT4 valve springs and rockers, but recently I have been giving a lot of thought to a cam from Comp Cams XE line. It's P/N CCA-08-502-8, the main specs are:

218/224 @ .050
.528/.537 with the 1.6 LT4 roller rockers I have
112 LS

For reference the Hotcam is:

218/228 @ .050
.525/.525 with the 1.6 LT4 roller rockers
112 LS

The cam's are so close as far as the spec's go, it kind of seems like a wash to me. Right now the car has all the basic bolt on's. Hooker longtube header's, cat back, cut air lid, AIR pump elimnator, and a K&N. I am adding a converted LT1 intake, 1.6 LT4 roller rockers, LT4 valve springs, and a cam. All the parts are sitting in my garage except the cam.

The main attraction to the Hotcam is the price. They go for ~$150 on E-bay or the forums all the time. I also wouldn't have to buy new valve springs. If I get the other grind from Comp Cams, not only is the cam roughly $100 more, I'll need valve springs as well. Do you guys think there would be any appreciable difference in power production between the 2 cam? 300 RWHP is the goal, hopefully I get there.

I am wondering if the specs don't tell the whole story. What do you guys think?

Which cam would you choose and why? Or would you choose another cam all together?

My heads are completely stock, and I have no intention of porting/replacing them anytime soon. Here's some flow numbers from my heads. These numbers are taken from a Chevy High Performance article where they flowed 15 different heads. Basically, take these numbers with a grain of salt:

.100 56/49
.200 120/96
.300 160/123
.400 186/140
.500 196/155
.600 199/159

I burn my own chips, so tuning isn't a problem. If I do get in too deep, I live very close to Alvin of PCMforless.com so I can go to him to rescue me if I need to.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

with that said, and you having the Hotcam kit already, and your power goals are realistic, I'd just go for the hot cam.

I went with the hot cam only because I got good deal on it, and I didn't want tons of power, its a nice street able cam and doesn't need much tuning.

Hope some people with more knowledge see your thread, and give you more advice.

Keep us posted on the results and good luck.

 

I believe the LT4 spring won't handle anything above .525" lift, so if you went with the Comp Cams - which I believe is a more intense cam which would make better power - you'd have to change the exhaust springs.

This is what GM says - they max out at .530":

These springs were originally used on the 1996 Corvette LT4 engine. Also used on all 1999- Current ZZ4,Fast Burn 385 engines, Fast burn heads, Lt4 heads, and are included with the LT4 hot cam kits.Outer diameter of 1.34" , 101 Lbs pressure @ installed height of 1.78", solid height 1.22" Spring pressure with valve open is 332 lbs. made of high quality silicon ovoid wire. Color coded green. Set of 16. For a single replacement spring use part # 12551483.The matching retainers for this spring are part # 12495492, and the keepers are part # 12495503. Good for up to .530" lift.

Jim

 

I would go with the comp myself, however if you didn't want to change spring the hotcam is the way to go. There are plenty of guys making good power with it...

 

I know I'll have to buy new springs if I go with the Comp Cam, that's why I said this in my original post:

Thanks for the tip though!

Anyone else care to chime in?