help! LT1 timing chain experience

[sothpaw]

Has anyone blown the LT1's timing chain due to too many mods? If so,
circumstances?

I am getting ready to order parts for my heads/cam mod. My Heads man says
I need the LT1/4 heavy duty timing chain set. Which is fine by me, except that
requires a lot of 1996 parts, including the optispark, which I've decided not to
change right now.

 

[wx briefer]

While installing the hot cam in my LT4, I found the original chain to be disturbingly slack. I replaced with the extreme duty set which is a step up from the original LT4 which is a step up from the LT1. I guess your answer would be from weighing the difference in changing out to accommodate the extreme duty set vice changing original type chain more frequently.

Oh yeah, I had about 66k miles of easy, no track time, driving on her.

 

[UB2 SLOW]

I went with the extreme duty chain. It is the best investment you could make as far as timing chains go with bolt on mods. You can get it from any Dealer or most after market vendors. I got mine from Pace-Performance.

 

[Steve92LT1]

I'd get a stock AC Delco replacement, it will hold up quite well.

Yes if I remember correctly, you're gonna have to change later style opti for it which involves replacing the opti, timing cover, etc.. with 1995+ parts

If you're not gonna update to the later opti, then put a OEM replacement on it.

Steve

 

[sothpaw]

UB and Wx,

Yeah, I knew you guys would have no problem going with the extreme duty kit, since
you already have the 1996 optispark, etc.

My hangup is: why should I spend all that money for a new Opti, waterpump, etc. if
I don't really need it? I'd be more than happy to put a new '93 timing chain on it and
change to the extreme duty when the waterpump/opti blows. They should last another
30 k mi. even if they were knew when I bought the car.

The thing is: I don't know if my opti was new when I bought the car (42k mi) or if it is
original. I wouldn't have too much heart ache either if these parts are original--they
are over due.

Steve,
Have you run your '92 with mods? I am thinking a new '93 chain might hold up for 20-30 k mi.

 

[sothpaw]

BTW,

How does the Stock LT4 timing chain differ from the '93 LT1 chain?

 

[UB2 SLOW]

sothpaw, If you are going with minor mods or stay stock then I would remain with the OEM Chain, opti and water pump for now. When the opti does goes out, that would be the perfect time to update to the extreme timing chain and the new vented opti and a new water pump if you choose to. The vented opti is a better set up, but it really depends on how often you drive the car. My original chain lasted 75K miles when I started to do heavy mods. It was still good when I took it out, but I wanted something stronger to handle the mods I had done. Good luck in whatever you decide. Do you plan on doing the work yourself or having someone else do it? It can be time comsuming if you opt to do it yourself.

 

[sothpaw]

UB,

I'm paying to have someone else do the work. I don't have the
time or know-how.

FYI,
My heads man says it is the "on-it, off-it" of autocross or road
racing at high rpms that destroys the LT1 chains. He killed
several after 12 hr of a 24 hr end. race.

If I was just going to drag race it only, I think the LT1 chain
would be ok. But I am not...

 

[Dave C. '04 Z06]

Timing chain

When I put the LT-4 Hotcam in my Camaro (back when it had the LT-1 in it) I used the stock timing chain and it was fine. A couple years later when I put an electric waterpump on it I changed to a roller chain like the LT-4 HD, and the stock chain I took out was fine. It had a little slack, but all chains do. Even the LT-4 HD roller chain had some slack when I took it out about 10K miles later.

Unless you're racing on a regular basis then the stock chain is fine. If it lives at 6000rpm, then put the roller chain in there. I know alot of guys who race weekly and I've never heard of anyone jumping a tooth or breaking an LT-1 timing chain.

-Dave C. '97 Z28
1997 Camaro Z28 454cid 6-spd
1995 Corvette LT-1 6-spd

 

[Vettelt193]

Dave, Welcome to Corvette Action Center!

I can't wait to see that Big Block Camaro!