DrBro

Is anyone else having issues with timing chains breaking on LS# motors? I have not seen many stock motors break, but am seeing several on modfied cars. I have seen SLP dbl roller as well as LS2 style come apart with VERY low mileage.

Anyone?

davidfarmer

not common in my experience (runn 7500rpm engines), but I suggest running a drop-in JWIS chain (uses stock gears, so literall drops in), or a better chain using aftermarket gears.

Some times the aftermarket lets us down, but this particular chain has (or at least had) the GM Racing stamp of approval.

http://www.thunderracing.com/catalog...d=349&pcid=222

MrEracer

I've had two timing chain failures on my 421 LS2 stroker. The first was a stock LS2 chain and the 2nd was an N-Motion chain. The N-Motion failure looked like improper heat treat on the gears as they were badly warn after very low time causing the chain to fail. I ended up with a Katech chain that Jason said was used on all the C6R engines and they had not had any failures with. This was all before a double roller LS2 chain was available. So far it has held up well with all my road racing activities... If it fails I will try the double roller from New Era. Does anyone have any experience with this chain? Unfortunately, a timing chain failure results in a lot of bent valves... Not good.
Shirl Dickey

0Randy@DRM

Happens all the time!

Randy

gpm30236

When i took the chain off silver, it was VERY loose, basically stock motor 80K+ miles on it, 50 or so track days.

see5

The LS1 chain was wimpy compared to the LS2. Later LS1/6 could have the damper between gears and most 04s had the "ls2" chain.. It is my understanding that the chain can ultimately follow the upper gear and jam.
LS2s have the heavier chain and damper which is a major upgrade.

I blew my LS1, with LS2 chain and damper, to smithereenes when rod bolts stretched, rods jammed breaking the rods, smashing pistons etc. Chain was about the only survivor of that test..

Now have a double roller with the damper which is extra insurance, I hope.

Bink

Best chain is the Cloyes Hex-adjust with Rain chain.

It's a single chain with closer gear/ chain tolerances. Fritz Kayl, the "Ka" of Katech, said they used the Cloyes Hex-adjust on the C5R without a single failure. It's pricey - but as an added benefit you can insure your valve timing is accurate.
Here's a link to Cloyes @ SDPC -> http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/1840...Timing-Set.htm


Shirl - Katech sells the Cloyes chain.

John Shiels

Joel

varkwso

I guess I should be really worried about the 125,000 mile LS1 I have with no clue as to the total number of track days! I have been "meaning to" for about three months..

96CollectorSport

If you think of all of the times you get on, and off the gas not to mention heal toeing. The chain takes a real beating.

I've seen the aftermath of a few chain breaks on LSx's and it's not good at all.

If your putting together a track motor the chain is one place I wouldn't skimp.
I was amazed at the differance between my stock LT-4 chain and the GMPP LT-4 chain. Basically the differance between a 10 speed bike chain and a dirt bike. I feel much better when I'm at the track now.

Randy, what chain do you guys typically install?

DrBro

This is all very surprising and enlightening. I had the SLP dbl roller that did not "fail" but starting leaving parts stuck to the oil pan magnet - I was lucky to find that before it broke. Since I switched to LS2 chains my motor has not lasted more than three sessions on the track (now at three times). I never would have guessed the weak link was the timing chain, but it does make sense. I am glad HPDE's are a cheap form of autosports. Anyone else with info?

Fastguy

I have no idea why some fail but I beat the unholy hell out of my car and when I swapped cam at 150,000 miles, the chain was still tight. I swapped in the Rollmaster/SLP and checked it 10,000 miles later and its still fine. This car has been down the dragstrip close to a hundred times, run countless high speed autocross laps, hours of road race laps and is given a relentless stiff beating on the street every day with no issues.

0Randy@DRM

We run Cloyes. The picture above is of a stock chain!

Randy

GAS

Hey Randy...that belong to anybody I know?!?!?!!!!!!

Gary2KC5

I broke a TC, on my C5, because most of the inner valve springs (dampners?) broke and a piece finally worked its way between the sproket & chain.

0Randy@DRM

That would be your motor.

Randy

Bink

knock on wood...

varkwso

wow - you seem to be snake bit. I would check to see if your cam/crank centerlines are true. I have had that problem with Pontiac blocks in the past.

0New Era Performance

We have been running the JP double roller timing chain sets on LS2's without any issues , got a bunch in stock if you need one . The gears are nitrated for strength .

http://www.neweraperformanceparts.com/default.asp?S=503&A=E&PKV=jpdrls2c6|0

db2xpert

Cartek caught mine just before it went last year, piece of metal on the magnetic oil pan plug. Had another cracked link. Alan lost an engine to a timing chain couple of yrs ago. That was an HD chain, but don't remember the manufacturer.

Joel