Timing Chains breaking?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Timing Chains breaking?
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?
Anyone?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,438
Likes: 919
From: CONCORD NC
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
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
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Aguila AZ
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
Shirl Dickey
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,879
Likes: 3
From: Hobart, WI
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.
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.
Last edited by see5; Oct 24, 2006 at 10:03 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 1
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
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.
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.
Last edited by Bink; Oct 23, 2006 at 06:28 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,855
Likes: 2
From: Grovetown GA
Originally Posted by gpm30236
When i took the chain off silver, it was VERY loose, basically stock motor 80K+ miles on it, 50 or so track days.
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..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,031
Likes: 74
From: If you don't weigh in you don't wrestle Road America
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?
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?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
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?
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 26,679
Likes: 17
From: This vette goes to 11 Milford MA
St. Jude Donor '03-'05
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.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 1
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by 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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,855
Likes: 2
From: Grovetown GA
Originally Posted by 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?
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Rochester NY
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
http://www.neweraperformanceparts.com/default.asp?S=503&A=E&PKV=jpdrls2c6|0
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 64
From: Prescott AZ Gilbert AZ
Originally Posted by John Shiels
JoelJoel