Just wanted to put out some info that I thought would be good to know for guys who are just starting to put FI systems on their cars. Apparently whenever you change the harmonic balancer on the 99 LS1 you end up breaking the cam gear. Ask me how I know well my we finally after 6 weeks of customizing and modding this kit to get it to fit and buying numerous parts to complete my top/ front mount PTS TWIN TURBO SETUP on my 99 6-speed convertible finally it was complete and looking bad ***. I was so ready to here this monster come to life and the when he tried to start it it sounded like it was out of time along with another issue my vette is pushing so much fuel pressure that it was pushing the fuel rails off of the 62lb fuel injectors. Nice huh. We got that figured out going to make a better mounting system to hold them down tighter. So we got that figured out. Also put my new RK SPORT RAM AIR HOOD on and guess what it hits in a few places so we have to cut notches out of the hood and modify the one wastegate tube. Good times.. And the last swift kick to the nuts was the fact that when my mechanic called GM they asked if we changed the harmonic balancer and he said yes they said we probably broke a tooth off of the cam gear. which in all acctuallity should have been changed in the first place, but hind sight is 20/20. So there it is my issues for those of you that haven't already ran into these issues. Hope this helps someone. Jason

 

Wow...bro...that totally sucks, I'm having a centri. blower installed next week on a stock '03 LS-1 bottom end, stock cam/heads but using 60# injectors and I hate to hear these kinds of stories.

Wonderring what the differences are between the 99 and up H.B.

-Wishing you well...

Jason

 

I'm trying to figure out how you can break a cam gear by replacing the balancer????

 

In the few years I've kept an eye out on the forum, I've never heard of cam gear ever breaking due to replacing Harmonic Balancer, this is the first.

You got a regulator for the fuel pressure, yes? I would set it to 55-58psi.


Arnel

 

Some people can break an anvil...................

 

Probably caused by the force to break loose the balancer bolt without the flywheel lock tool.

I have my bro's 99 FRC a part but can't budhe the balancer bolt with a big air gun, going to lock the flywheel and get out the big breaker bar.

 

Yes, I do have a fuel pressure regulator. From what the mechanic said they had a really difficult timer getting the balancer off which had to be changed cause the rubber was work and it was wobbling whaich was causing the belt to squeal. So I guess when they where prying on it they broke a tooth off. I'm not exactly sure i wasn't there at the time. Thanks again Jason Ill update later with status and pics.

 

What am I missing here? I'm sorry about all the problems (All us modders know them too well.) I don't see how the cam sprocket can be damaged when it's behind the timing chain cover. I also had a bitch of a time the first time I pulled mine off. I had to use a 4 foot extension bar on a 1/2" breaker bar. I left the car in gear with the emergency brake on.

 

Yeah, this isn't adding up for me either. What scares me is that the GM mechanic on the phone was able to diagnose it!