LT1 Timing Chain Durability
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Milford MI
LT1 Timing Chain Durability
I have a '93 6-speed coupe, and was planning a top-end engine upgrade this winter. Below are a list of the planned modifications:
- LT4 Hotcam with 1.6 roller rockers (.525" lift) or 1.7 roller rockers(.558" lift)
- Precison Porting Stage 3 head package & ported intake
- Comp 918 beehive spring
- 6200-6400erpm redline
- EM longtube headers
I currently have the cam driven water pump and not vented opti. I had originally not planned to upgrade these components, and was just going to just replace the stock timing chain with a GM OEM part. Will the stock LT1 timing chain survive with these planned modifications, or should I consider upgrading to something better? I want to keep the cost down, but want to make sure it is durable as well. The car is primarily used on the street and a couple open track days (roadracing) a year. Thanks
- LT4 Hotcam with 1.6 roller rockers (.525" lift) or 1.7 roller rockers(.558" lift)
- Precison Porting Stage 3 head package & ported intake
- Comp 918 beehive spring
- 6200-6400erpm redline
- EM longtube headers
I currently have the cam driven water pump and not vented opti. I had originally not planned to upgrade these components, and was just going to just replace the stock timing chain with a GM OEM part. Will the stock LT1 timing chain survive with these planned modifications, or should I consider upgrading to something better? I want to keep the cost down, but want to make sure it is durable as well. The car is primarily used on the street and a couple open track days (roadracing) a year. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,695
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
Originally Posted by mich_93
I have a '93 6-speed coupe, and was planning a top-end engine upgrade this winter. Below are a list of the planned modifications:
- LT4 Hotcam with 1.6 roller rockers (.525" lift) or 1.7 roller rockers(.558" lift)
- Precison Porting Stage 3 head package & ported intake
- Comp 918 beehive spring
- 6200-6400erpm redline
- EM longtube headers
I currently have the cam driven water pump and not vented opti. I had originally not planned to upgrade these components, and was just going to just replace the stock timing chain with a GM OEM part. Will the stock LT1 timing chain survive with these planned modifications, or should I consider upgrading to something better? I want to keep the cost down, but want to make sure it is durable as well. The car is primarily used on the street and a couple open track days (roadracing) a year. Thanks
- LT4 Hotcam with 1.6 roller rockers (.525" lift) or 1.7 roller rockers(.558" lift)
- Precison Porting Stage 3 head package & ported intake
- Comp 918 beehive spring
- 6200-6400erpm redline
- EM longtube headers
I currently have the cam driven water pump and not vented opti. I had originally not planned to upgrade these components, and was just going to just replace the stock timing chain with a GM OEM part. Will the stock LT1 timing chain survive with these planned modifications, or should I consider upgrading to something better? I want to keep the cost down, but want to make sure it is durable as well. The car is primarily used on the street and a couple open track days (roadracing) a year. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,695
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
Originally Posted by Darkgh0st
I had done last summer except for the headers, you wont be dissapointed. The only thing I would suggest is to leave the rev. limiter the same
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Your top end combination is virtually identical to mine. Should you decide to go with 1.7 rockers, make sure and check piston to valve clearance very carefully. Also have Bob cut the spring seats down a little so you can set those springs at optimum installed height for your combo.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,474
Likes: 1
From: 1
Originally Posted by bobmic93
Why? Where should it be set at?
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
You'll probably make peak HP around 6200, mine did anyway. May as well set it at least that high. BTW, I don't like the stock chain or the ED, double rollers are just too superior.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 80
From: Hawaii
Originally Posted by SPEED750
I bought the lunati timing set from summit for $109. You can also buy a vent kit for your opti for $20 from ecklers.
TIA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Originally Posted by Darkgh0st
My mechanic kept my rev limiter at it's stock value and told me that I should keep it there. I didnt get the full explaination but I trust him. My understanding is that the hotcam and upgraded spring setup will hold up to the higher revs, but it's not enough of a gain to justify it.
Im still running stock injectors which I always figured was the reason for this. They are maxed out and are still going lean on top end.
Last edited by 93 ragtop; Jan 13, 2006 at 05:55 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,535
Likes: 2
From: Rochester NY
When I had head/cam/header on my 93 6 speed. I was running LPE219 cam with 1.6rr. 219/219 @ .05 .560/.560. I was still using stock LT1 chain but it were brand new one. I raced at the track and street and often take it up to 6500rpm no problem what so ever. But I feel much safer to replace with double chain or extreme energy chain.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,030
Likes: 6
From: Maryland
Originally Posted by mich_93
I have a '93 6-speed coupe, and was planning a top-end engine upgrade this winter. Below are a list of the planned modifications:
- LT4 Hotcam with 1.6 roller rockers (.525" lift) or 1.7 roller rockers(.558" lift)
- Precison Porting Stage 3 head package & ported intake
- Comp 918 beehive spring
- 6200-6400erpm redline
- EM longtube headers
I currently have the cam driven water pump and not vented opti. I had originally not planned to upgrade these components, and was just going to just replace the stock timing chain with a GM OEM part. Will the stock LT1 timing chain survive with these planned modifications, or should I consider upgrading to something better? I want to keep the cost down, but want to make sure it is durable as well. The car is primarily used on the street and a couple open track days (roadracing) a year. Thanks
- LT4 Hotcam with 1.6 roller rockers (.525" lift) or 1.7 roller rockers(.558" lift)
- Precison Porting Stage 3 head package & ported intake
- Comp 918 beehive spring
- 6200-6400erpm redline
- EM longtube headers
I currently have the cam driven water pump and not vented opti. I had originally not planned to upgrade these components, and was just going to just replace the stock timing chain with a GM OEM part. Will the stock LT1 timing chain survive with these planned modifications, or should I consider upgrading to something better? I want to keep the cost down, but want to make sure it is durable as well. The car is primarily used on the street and a couple open track days (roadracing) a year. Thanks
You must also at least get some 28# injectors if you push it on the road course. The duty cycle with the stockers is ok for drag racing, ie short bursts, but sustained high rpm operation with the new heads/cam is just too much.
If you like the idea of an electric waterpump, then of course you can go to a better chain with that.
Last edited by sothpaw2; Jan 13, 2006 at 08:26 AM.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Milford MI
I have always been a bit relucant to use an electric water pump, although I don't have a real good reason why. I like the idea of having a mechanical connection spinning the pump, but it sounds most people with the electric pump have been happy with them. Anyone had any issues with the electric water pump?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,295
Likes: 4
From: I'm the walkin dude I can see all of the world...
St. Jude Donor '03
I like my Meziere electric pump. I also went with the a new cloyes 3145 double roller timing set. Its cheap if you do the electric pump. 
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,030
Likes: 6
From: Maryland
Originally Posted by mich_93
I have always been a bit relucant to use an electric water pump, although I don't have a real good reason why. I like the idea of having a mechanical connection spinning the pump, but it sounds most people with the electric pump have been happy with them. Anyone had any issues with the electric water pump?
I'll add that with regard to heads & cam, it is a wonderful seat-of-the pants gain in hp& tq. The downside though is the expense, and as I can attest, if something happens to the car, insur. companies don't want to give you anything for all that work& perforamance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 2
From: 1993 Quasar Blue 'vert Scottsdale AZ
Originally Posted by bobmic93
Im going through these same mods on my 93 and Im taking no chances. Vented opti, water pump, Extreme Duty timming chain and cover. All GM parts for around $750 Youd be crazy not to do while all these components are already off. Its kinda of like insurance and peace of mind.
Exactly what I did a couple of months ago on my '93.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,692
Likes: 5
From: Hayward CA
Originally Posted by VictorRussell'92
I like my Meziere electric pump. I also went with the a new cloyes 3145 double roller timing set. Its cheap if you do the electric pump.
Only I used the cloyes 3157 chain which is an extremely thick single roller that was built for LTx/electric water pump
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 707
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse Utah
The GM Hot Cam instalation instruction sheet says, "A heavy duty timing chain set is mandatory for engine operation above 5500 rpm." I used a Cloyes 3145 with an electric water pump. I've been very pleased with the way it turned out.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,295
Likes: 4
From: I'm the walkin dude I can see all of the world...
St. Jude Donor '03
Originally Posted by TM-96CE
Only I used the cloyes 3157 chain which is an extremely thick single roller that was built for LTx/electric water pump
This is a good option too. With the 3145 you have to use different cam retention bolts with a thinner bolt head than the factory ones. This is simple and cheap but you wouldn't have to do that with the 3157.