ILM-Express

Has anyone tried to install a LS3 timing chain dampener on a LS1 or LS6?

printmanjackson

I have been looking at doing this myself. You will have to drill and tap your block which is not that big a deal. The question is the spacing you have to work with on your block, the embossed area. The spacing of the two mounting bolts are just a little different than the original design on early LS1 blocks. The LS1 block were designed for bolts with 2.1 spacing and the LS2 and newer are 1.7 spacing. If the embossed area on your block is big enough then I don't see why it won't work. They are not expensive. Here is a link to purchase one. It would be worth a try.

http://www.sdpc2000.com/details/gm-f...parts/12585997


here is another thread on the subject

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ls1-block.html

vettenuts

Do you guys know if the raised piece where the bolts are is removable? That would be easily replaced with something to stiffen the backing plate with the correct bolt spacing.

printmanjackson

From looking at the pictures I don't see why it can't be removed. Maybe replace it with another block of aluminum and re-drill it.

First I would see if the spacing of the bolts will work with the embossed area on the block. If that won't work then look at option of modifing the dampener bracket.

FRCTony

printmanjackson

looking at another post there looks to be a problem with the block and the hole spacing.

this pic is from the one Rick posted with his LS2 mod and you can see where he marked with a punch the 1.7 spacing which puts it too close to the edge.



So it looks like the chain dampener bracket would have to be modified.

ILM-Express

I just ordered one for $31 it should be pretty easy to modify.

The hardest thing will be to drill 7 tap two holes on my block

printmanjackson

Where did you order it from?

I agree, working on the engine with it in the car is never as easy as an engine stand. Just make sure and tape it up all around so there is no chance of shavings getting into the engine.

ILM-Express

I order it from my local Chevy dealer

slow ride

Has anyone ever heard anything about these type of tensioners failing in low milage cars, etc. I'm not sure, but thought I saw something about this on ls1tech.

ILM-Express

If you know something we dont know please post it here.

printmanjackson

I tried to read everything I could find and there was some issues with the LS3's breaking timing chains at one time. I don't know if it is still an issue. From what I read some thought it was the aftermarket harmonic balancers. Several post say when the chain broke that it took out the chain damper but nobody thought that it was the other way around. I think these chain dampers are on all late model LS engines.

Its_Go_Time

Just as a heads-up: the pitch between the holes on LS1/LS6 blocks is actually 2.185, not 2.1. Bear this in mind if you're gonna modify one of these to fit a pre-tapped block! I checked these dimensions against my LS6, and they are correct.




When you get this thing, could you measure the width of the plastic wear pieces? I wouldn't mind trying this thing out myself, but I'm running a double roller, which is a lot wider than the factory LS3 chain. The GMPP tensioner is .800" wide and works well if its spaced away from the block .1". If this spring loaded dampener is wide enough, I'll give it a shot.

BlueRag

or.....you could install a Cloyes hex-adjust which is a stronger set, and the chain is much tighter than stock. It will also allow you to degree in your cam

Stan

printmanjackson

but don't you have clearance problems to deal with?

BlueRag

?

I've done 4 cam installs with their single roller setup. The cloyes is a great fit, and much better than stock

printmanjackson

sorry but I thought you were referring to a double chain.

vettenuts

Standard Cloyes Hex-Adjust uses the LS2 chain. Not that it is a bad chain but it is not stronger then the GM LS2 chain as they are one in the same. The IRL chain was the better chain from Cloyes. This is no longer made and SDPC bought up all the remaining stock from Cloyes about 10 month ago. Once these are gone that's it.

montac

I have a JP double roller and clearance sucked

Couple that with a Melling pump and don't expect things to just bolt up.

I had to clearance the cover, small areas on the pump, replace the hex head bolts with button heads, and make slightly thinner pump shims to make it all fit together. If I do it again I'm just going to get the strongest single roller setup I can find.

I used the LS2 timing chain damper (new LS6 block so hole spacing was correct) and did not space it away from the block. It is not centered on the timing chain (fwd/aft). If I centered the damper by shimming, it would only contact the center links since it is not as wide as the chain is. I figured without shimming it at least contacts the inside and middle links. I think it is less critical with this type of damper because there is normally clearance between the chain and the damper. Only time will tell however.

The LS3 damper looks cool and I can't see why it wouldn't work with an earlier generation block.

Charlie

printmanjackson

^^^^^
interesting