Im looking into getting an LT4 hot cam for my L98. My question is will it run fine on the stock tune or will it need to be tuned? The motor is stock but looking to get headers very soon to go in with the cam

 

For best results, it will need a tune, valve springs (maybe machine work) and a good torq converter.
In your 88? Will it run ok with just a cam? yeah but it could be better.

 

How exactly do tunes work on these cars? A chip? Also which valve springs and torque converter would be ideal for this setup?

 

get the HOT cam kit that comes with the LT4 valve springs and matching 1.6 roller rocker arms that fit under stock valve covers... but you will have to take the heads in to put screw in studs in and make sure the retainers clear the valve seals, at which point you will have spent enough money that you would have been pretty close to what a set of better aftermarket heads that come set up for the lift and breathe better right out of the box would cost..

 

Springs and converter are necessary. You could get away without a tune, but I don't recommend it. Been there, done that.

Tunes work through a small chip in the ECM.

 

Any recommendations on which converter and springs?

 

GM spec'ed out the LT4 springs just for that cam, and i buzzed them way past 7000rpm in my Nova on many occasions....