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Old Jul 29, 2022 | 01:33 PM
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Default Timing chain

Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum here, and also new to own a Corvette C5, automatic -99. Absolutely amazing vehicle.

I've a question about the timing chain on the C5, and before I did create an account here, I've been looking online for some advices whether or not the timing chain should be changed. I live in Sweden and was looking for some good answers on the Swedish Corvette forums, but all the answers on those forums are different from each other, people of course have different opinions.

So, should the timing chain be changed, with all the parts that are included in a kit? My C5 is stock on the engine part, and will be forever so, and its around 100.k miles on it.

I am a bit confused because I can't find in the owners manual that the timing chain should be changed after for example 1xx.xxx.k miles. On regular cars, I've heard that the timing chain doesn't need to be ever changed unless there's a obvious rattle from the chain itself or some other major problem with specific that.

Sorry for my bad English! Have a nice day

/DBqvist




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Old Jul 29, 2022 | 01:36 PM
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If the oil has been changed on a regular basis with full synthetic, the timing chain should last for a long time. If not, then you may start to hear clattering which may be your chain, noisy lifters, etc.
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Old Jul 29, 2022 | 01:45 PM
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The prevoius owner did take a very good care of the whole car, and the engine oil with filter is changed more often than it should, I did even change it once more time after purchasing it to be sure. I don't hear any clattering or something like that, just wanted to know if it's a job that should be done after a specific mileage, like with timing belts

Thansk for the answer!
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Old Jul 29, 2022 | 02:09 PM
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Are you tracking the car at all? Issues with the timing chain seem to show up on cars that live at higher RPM. If its a street toy the you take to redline on occasion I wouldnt worry about the chain.
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Old Jul 29, 2022 | 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Kubs
Are you tracking the car at all? Issues with the timing chain seem to show up on cars that live at higher RPM. If its a street toy the you take to redline on occasion I wouldnt worry about the chain.
Nope I don't drive it on a track and I drive it pretty much carefully in the streets, no redline here, yet
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Old Jul 29, 2022 | 03:08 PM
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I don't remember seeing any posts on this forum regarding a timing chain failure. I don't think it's a issue
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Old Jul 29, 2022 | 03:25 PM
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I agree it shouldn't be an issue at all.
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Old Jul 29, 2022 | 03:43 PM
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Originally Posted by MWWarlord
I agree it shouldn't be an issue at all.
Oh alright then! Well, then I don't need to worry about that particular thing I guess. Thanks everyone very much for the superfast replies!
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Old Jul 29, 2022 | 03:51 PM
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Welcome to the forum. If you have a stock LS1 or LS6, your timing chain is about as reliable as they come. Some of these engines have gone 400,000 miles without any internal work. You're fine, even with an occasional trip to the dragstrip......
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Old Jul 29, 2022 | 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by grinder11
Welcome to the forum. If you have a stock LS1 or LS6, your timing chain is about as reliable as they come. Some of these engines have gone 400,000 miles without any internal work. You're fine, even with an occasional trip to the dragstrip......
Thank you!

Yes, it's a stock LS1 engine. That's actually good to hear, and sounds like I don't need to worry at all Thanks man!
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Old Jul 29, 2022 | 05:15 PM
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In this video, the car had less than 100,000 miles (160,000km) and had some slop in the chain.

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Old Jul 29, 2022 | 06:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Frank4202
In this video, the car had less than 100,000 miles (160,000km) and had some slop in the chain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH3dOB87kzU
Yeah I've seen that video before and I remember the loose chain. But of course, they put in a new shaft and I would also replace the chain at the same time when you have everything opened up in the engine, even if the chain looked good. Also the harmonic balancer
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Old Jul 30, 2022 | 10:39 AM
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That chain didn't seem to be too loose and I'm sure would have lasted many more miles, especially if the car is driven normally. I did a timing chain on Z06 and it had some slop in it.
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Old Jul 30, 2022 | 03:53 PM
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If the timing chain is not making unusual noises, I would leave it alone.
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Old Jul 30, 2022 | 04:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
If the timing chain is not making unusual noises, I would leave it alone.
Originally Posted by C5MSG2004Vert
That chain didn't seem to be too loose and I'm sure would have lasted many more miles, especially if the car is driven normally. I did a timing chain on Z06 and it had some slop in it.
Yeah, I'll just leave the timing chain alone, and simply follow your opinions and thoughts about it. As I wrote in my earlier posts I don't abuse my cars and specially my C5, I drive the car pretty carefully, so hopefully the chain will last for a long long time. There is no strange sound or whatsoever from it But maybe someday I'll order a timing chain kit, just to have it and because it's not that expensive either.

Thanks again!
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