Which timing chain setup for high hp LT1?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,223
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Which timing chain setup for high hp LT1?
I'm in the process of helping my father rebuild his LT1, and I've run into a problem. It's time to chose a timing set and it seems like the options are slim for LT1's.
Summit has the GM performance parts kit for around 300$, or a comp cams unit for 500.
This motor will make between 500-800 in final form. It's a vortech supercharged setup that will also having a nitrous shot sprayed on top. 4340 forged crank, diamond pistons ceramic coated, H beam rods, ect.
The GM performance parts set says "for use with pin drive cam shafts only" I'm about to pull the trigger and just by the comp cams unit for 500, but wanted to get some reviews first.
Summit has the GM performance parts kit for around 300$, or a comp cams unit for 500.
This motor will make between 500-800 in final form. It's a vortech supercharged setup that will also having a nitrous shot sprayed on top. 4340 forged crank, diamond pistons ceramic coated, H beam rods, ect.
The GM performance parts set says "for use with pin drive cam shafts only" I'm about to pull the trigger and just by the comp cams unit for 500, but wanted to get some reviews first.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 5
Cloyes makes a timing chain set for the LT-1 engine.
Cloyes has been manufacturing high performance timing chain sets for American V-8 engines since 1970.
Most if not all professional engine builders rely upon Timing chain sets if not using a gear or belt drive system.
Still the best timing chain sets for your money I believe.
Comp Cams timing sets are ok. I have used them. But they dont match the manufacting quality of a premium Cloyes timing chain set.
Cloyes has been manufacturing high performance timing chain sets for American V-8 engines since 1970.
Most if not all professional engine builders rely upon Timing chain sets if not using a gear or belt drive system.
Still the best timing chain sets for your money I believe.
Comp Cams timing sets are ok. I have used them. But they dont match the manufacting quality of a premium Cloyes timing chain set.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 196
From: folsom california
are you going to use a stock style mechanically driven pump ? I think your options (regardless of manufacturer) are going to be a stock LT1 link and pin chain; a single roller stock LT4 chain; or an Extreme Duty LT4 chain which is a single roller, but considerably beefier than the stock LT4 single roller.
if you go to an electric pump, aside from minor clearance issues with the timing chain cover, you can use any small block single or double roller chain....or I suspect, even a gear drive.
clearance issues aside, I THINK the cam issue involves nothing more than the length of the drive pin portruding from the front of the cam;
another issue is if you run a knock sensor, whether it will sense valve train noise (as in a gear drive) as ignition knock and retard the timing.
good luck; it sounds like a fabulous build.
if you go to an electric pump, aside from minor clearance issues with the timing chain cover, you can use any small block single or double roller chain....or I suspect, even a gear drive.
clearance issues aside, I THINK the cam issue involves nothing more than the length of the drive pin portruding from the front of the cam;
another issue is if you run a knock sensor, whether it will sense valve train noise (as in a gear drive) as ignition knock and retard the timing.
good luck; it sounds like a fabulous build.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 126
From: S.L.C. UT
If you convert to a electric water pump, which will obviously free up some hp, you can use a nice Cloyes double roller timing chain set up, or something similar.
And it is alot less money than the extreme duty LT4 timing chain set up.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,223
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We will be using an electric Meziere electric pump. I would assume you remove the mechanical water pump drive gear when you're using the SBC style chains?
I've already ruled out using any sort of gear drive because of knock sensor issues.
The though of a nice Cloyes double roller timing chain sounds nice.
I've already ruled out using any sort of gear drive because of knock sensor issues.
The though of a nice Cloyes double roller timing chain sounds nice.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 1
From: Portsmouth Virginia 396LT4 435RWHP/400RWTQ Best so far 11.26 @ 123mph
We will be using an electric Meziere electric pump. I would assume you remove the mechanical water pump drive gear when you're using the SBC style chains?
I've already ruled out using any sort of gear drive because of knock sensor issues.
The though of a nice Cloyes double roller timing chain sounds nice.
I've already ruled out using any sort of gear drive because of knock sensor issues.
The though of a nice Cloyes double roller timing chain sounds nice.
The double roller 9-3145 Cloyes true roller is one you probably want if you have the late model pin drive distributor/cam setup.
Rick
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,437
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville Fl
ive heard good things about the cloyes. is it really stronger than the extreme lt4 kit? why is the LT4 kit more expensive? just cause it has GMPP marked on it?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Slidell Louisiana
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Metairie Louisiana
I went with the Cloyes Double roller and a Mezierre HD electric water pump. It did required a whole lot of clearancing on my LT1 timing cover.
Last edited by rickneworleansla; May 26, 2010 at 04:33 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 467
Likes: 47
The correct timing set, retaining all the LT1 functions, is: Chevy Performance 12370835 Timing Chain Kit -- Single Roller Design. Includes:
Roller timing chain P/N 14088783
0.272/0.285" (6,9-7,2mm) tooth width
large sprocket diam. 5.742 36 teeth, small sprocket diam. 2.884 18 teeth
Crankshaft sprocket P/N 14088784
Roller timing chain P/N 14088783
0.272/0.285" (6,9-7,2mm) tooth width
large sprocket diam. 5.742 36 teeth, small sprocket diam. 2.884 18 teeth
Crankshaft sprocket P/N 14088784
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 243
OP mentioned using Mez pump, so no reason to not go with a double roller. I used the Cloyes p/n mentioned above and upgraded to cover for a vented opti at the same time. Did take a good deal of clearance work on the cover. Time consuming but not difficult.
