I want a nice cam that will make some decent power on my ZZ3 with lingenfelter ported TPI setup. After considering the cost of the 219 from LPE, I would like to consider alternative cams that may offer similar power gains, but might be a little lower in price, or possibly a cam with a more updated grind/pattern. I was contemplating the LT4 hotcam, but that piece seems to get some bad press due to it's "outdated" characteristics.

What are some good cams on the market to get me 300-350 ish hp? I am running afr 180's on this motor. Thanks all

Will

 

I have an LPE383 with the 219 cam and a Super Ram intake. I like the charcteristics of my engine and I think the 219 would probably suit your Long Tube Runner setup, although I think Lingenfelter would have went a tad smaller actually. There are many cams out there that are super similar to the 219. You should be able to find a cam that is very close for a better price from www.Summitracing.com

 

I just read Lingenfelter's recommendation out of his book for long tube runner setups.

he recommends his 211/219 .503/.525 cam for stock or high flow runners and base
he recommends the 216/219 .462/.470 cam specifically for stock heads so you dont need to machine the valve guides. He claims this cam produces smooth idle and excellent torque.
He recommends the 219 or larger cams for larger displacement engines with the Super Ram intake.

 

Is the 211/219 better known as the 213? if so I recently sold one in favor of the 219, I guess I will be looking into something different. No doubt they are great cams, but a little pricey in my book for just a cam. Thanks for the info

Will

 

get the comp XFI 218/224 grind... makes good numbers. guy made like 360whp on a 350 motor with siamesed TPI setup

 

I was just looking at that one over on summit. Thanks

 

If you think the LT4 HOT cam is outdated I guess you havent seen how old the LPE 211 and 219 cams are. They're at least 5 years older than the HOT cam.

The XFI268HR is the hot setup right now. Its mild at idle and wild at WOT. Just make sure your heads can handle the .550+ lift with 1.6 rockers.

As Orr89RoCZ said, 1989TransAmGTA (Allen) made 350 RWHP thru a 700R4 automatic with Dart 200 heads, fully-siamesed SLP runners, and 1 3/4" headers. And it passes CA smog with ease.

 

I personally never bashed the the LT4 hotcam. I wanted to run it for a few years, but kept hearing, oh it's old, outdated, and so on. I realize that the LPE grinds are old as well, and both the LPE and HC make good power. I am looking for something a little more affordable. 300+ for a cam seems like a lot, to me anyway. The hotcams sub 200.00 price range is a lot easier on the wallet. Can you guys tell me how the HC and the xfi 268 would compare? I couldn't believe how much the 268 is compared to other cams in the series. Anywhere from 50 to 75 more. Thanks

Will

 

I personally ran the Xfi 268 and I was pretty satisfied with the outcome.
I had the lobe customized to 114 instead of 113 for better vaccum. It was poppy and it passed smog better than the newer cars on the market. I knew that I was happy with the cam when I blew a 2000 vette, of course I had other unpgrades, intake,Tb,headers,Trickflow heads,catback,bigger injectors,port work,runners,...etc....I think you'll be happy even on a 113 grind. Good luck.

 

Great Input bro. Thanks. Right now it's looking like a toos up between the LT4 HC and the xfi 268. I really want a comparison. The HC is nearly half the price of the xfi, which is why I am leaning towards it. But I think the 112 lsa might be a little much.

Will

 

If you like the HT, what about Comp Cams XR269HR cam. It's also 218/224, 495/503 wt 1.5's, 112. I was told it's a bit better than the HT too. I don't know if it's priced the same though.

 

hotcams have always been priced fairly cheap. you can get them like new for 130 bucks or less sometimes. thats what i was considering one for my high mileage motor. i wanted to cam this motor i have now but didnt want to spend alot of money since the motor is old and will be built up anyway. then i'd need a new cam to match the new combo, so the hotcam is a cheap way to add a fairly aggressive cam.

however if you already have a motor with decent heads and nice intake setup, either big tubed TPI setup or other shorter runner intakes, then a hotcam might not be the best choice. reason being it has more round lobes compared to the modern designed cams today. the ramp rates are not as aggressive or steep as the comp cams high energy series, which is not as aggressive as the new XFI series from what i seen in the spec sheets.

the faster more aggressive ramp rates will open and close the valves quicker, allowing the valves to be in max open position longer for more airflow. this makes more power.

Hotcam setups i have seen in LT1 motors have been good for around 340-350 whp or so with ported stock heads and full supporting bolt ons. I think thats the most i've seen. usually 320-330whp or so with stock heads and supporting bolt ons. Some make less depending on auto/manual and the tune.
That XFI 218/224 with the higher lift will make more power especially if your heads still flow more air above .550 lift. even if they dont, the ramp rates will improve the power. so far i have seen 350-360whp with that cam on a siamesed TPI setup. so the cam has potential to make a good bit more power than the hotcam. just need more ppl to try that cam out

If all your looking for is 300-350whp, the hotcam will fit the bill and run good. it may have 112 lsa but it wont hurt. many guys run that cam in stock L98's with no computer tunning and run ok. its not the most aggressive cam out there so it will run good on the street in a 355 with AFR 180 heads. i think it is a great match

 

The XR269HR is older than the XFI268HR. The XR269 is a generic roller cam for all engines, while the XFI268 is made exactly for computer controlled fuel injection.

I dont know of any LT4 HOT cam engine that would work with the stock computer. Mine sure didnt. It would idle dead rich and burn your eyes.

 

I've heard it from a few members on here that the car ran ok with no tuning with the HC. Ofcourse it should get some tuning but the MAF cars have been said to adjust to the new cam after alittle bit of driving. who knows tho, i havent tried it and hope to this fall

 

So, the 268 will run better out of the box than the HC? Am I understanding you correctly? I plan on tuning whatever setup I go with, but if the XFI cam will run better initially, that may play a big part in me going with it over the HC. Thanks

Will

 

i like the 113 lsa over the hotcams 112. but thats a marginal difference. the XFI has alot more lift so that may make it run abit rougher than the hc, but either way, a tune is needed.

what i am gonna say is that the XFI will make abit more power with its newer technology in its lobe design, but how much more? i dont know maybe 10-15whp? hard to say for sure. Those AFR 180s probly will want lift near .550" to get most out of them, in which the hotcam falls short. Advantage XFI. either cam tho will make good power, and i'm sure you'll be happy with either one. HC tho is so much cheaper its hard to pass on that. but since you've spent money on AFR's and ZZ3, might as well get new technology in the cam

 

Yeah, I hear ya loud and clear. It comes down to money. But I think I will hold off for a few weeks and just buy an XFI 268 instead. I would hate to want a better cam a few months down the road. Thanks for all of your help man, you've given me some great info to go on.

Will

 

I would guess that both the LT4 HOT cam and XFI268HR would make very similar horsepower and torque numbers. However, its also my guess that the XFI268HR would have better idle quality and get better gas mileage, due to the larger LSA and smaller advertised duration.

 

By reading this posy it a loder one But I want to change out my cam in my newly rebuilt 357 SB in in a 1986 Vett TPI.

It a CA car ya I still have to play the stupid smog laws.

Which cam I kind like the CC305 But what kind of Idel I looking for a semo Lopey type Idel that will still pass CA smogi

It a street car sometimes It a DD once in a while I drive down it to LA traffic so I need a cam that will work as a DD when needed.

It a cast crank and pistons with 9.575 to 1 I dont wind it very high once in a while to 5200 to 5500 on a blue moon it a auto with 2200 stall converter.

You can see my motor Specs In my Signerure

Which will be a good cam for me I need it so it passes smog EO would be great but as long passes the sniffer Cam that cam be a DD looking for a roller I can run up to .480 vavle lift but I can change out the Valve spring if neede the Trick Flow super 23 195 runners can flow over .500 lift I have after market intake long tube Cat back system, 24# Injectors.

Thanks

 

I personally wouldn't run a single pattern cam with the heads we have nowadays. Typically, late model heads and EFI prefer dual pattern cams. Dual pattern cams help evacuate exhaust from the cylinder to prevent contamination of the incoming air charge since the exhaust usually flows rather poor on stock(ish) heads.

I wouldn't go more than a 218/224 duration cam. I personally like limiting the split to six degrees on a TPI engine to keep the throttle response up. I think the LT4 hotcam is better suited to an intake like the LT1 IMHO though I know it can definitely get the job done. I really like the GMPP cams, they are a nice quality cam for the money and are proven pieces.

I normally look for something along the lines of the 212/218 for a 350 LTR setup, the 218/224 for a 383 LTR or 350 SR setup, and the 224/230 for a 383 SR setup as a guideline. Naturally, lots of factors can come in to zone in on a specific grind. My 427 TPI will be using a custom grind (LS1 firing order) cam to the tune of 230/236 dur. @ .050"

I've heard lots of good things about Comp's new XFI series. I'm using one now in my new 383 LTR setup (218/224 dur. @ .050")