prat

Im preparing to install a fairly aggressive Comp LSXR Cam on my 2008 C6 LS3 along with necessary component upgrades, rockers, push rods, valve springs, ect. The Cam is a single bolt so i can use the existing sprocket and timing chain. id rather avoid the extra work of dropping the oil pan and removing the oil pump to change the timing chain. The existing chain has 20k mile on it. Any opinions as to the wisdom of using the existing chain and sprocket or should i go the extra yard and upgrade it as well.

xBoostx

Considering your millage you should be ok, I'm doing similar work but include 13 to 1 compression so I will replace for an Iwis chain.

However you do not need to drop your oil pan to change your timing chain, you do however need to "if" you are changing your oil pump.

For performance cam it is a good practice to change the cam to a three bolt in which case you change cam sprocket.

wyoc6

I am doing a cam install on my 22k mile car and decided a c5r chain was a good idea while I was there.

prat

Thanks for the advice. The three bolt cam and sprocket makes good sense considering the a additional stresses along with a performance timing chain.

prat

Thanks for your comment. i going to change my timing chain as well.

JakeC6Racing

Installing a cam with 30k miles on my ls3 in about 2 weeks and I decided to change the timing chain to the c5r as well. Cheap insurance and preventative maintenance.

JWell

I just had a cam installed in my GS. It has 22,5xx miles on it. I did the C5R timing chain upgrade and I think you should too. Back in 08 or 09 there were a rash of LS3 cars breaking timing chains when aftermarket cams were installed. It's cheap insurance, those C5R chains hardly ever break.

prat

Thanks for the info, I agree, I'm going to replace the timing chain as well.

prat

Thanks, seems that the c5r is the way to go.

tuboy19

You do not have to drop the oil pan to change the oil pump on a Corvette. Personally I am not a fan of the LS3 tensioner as the plastic section tends to break off. I would switch to a LS2 style dampener while you are in there. I swapped over on mine and it hasn't given any problems and it's one less thing to break. I agree with others on the C5R chain as well.

SilverC(sex)

C5R is the way i went also! Dropping off my 08 LS3 to do a cam install this week and wanted the insurance of having a stronger more reliable timing chain to prevent any problem that could possibly arise later down the road if i used the stock timing chain

lockman

yea when I did my cam swap I went with a double roller for added insurance. and mine only had 5k on it when I did that.

Vito.A

Most of the aftermarket LS series cams are now coming with 3 bolts.

prat

After reading all the informative comments, it's a no brainier. I will most likely go with the C5R timing chain along with 3 bolt cam and new sprocket.

CMY SIX

I'm sorry... exccccuse me! how would you get the chain off if you don'r take the oil pump off? is the LS3 different? on an LS 2 you can change both the chain and oil pump WITHOUT taking the oil pan off.

ZHZ-416ci

On my previous car (cammed chevy caprice ppv ) I used C5-R
it was great upgrade