LS2 timing chain vs. stock
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Side plates of the chain are much thicker, making it stronger.
The "LS2" chain is now the stock replacement for all LSx engines...f you go to a dealer and ask for a LS6 chain, you will get the LS2.
Just a normal part revision, for the better.
The "LS2" chain is now the stock replacement for all LSx engines...f you go to a dealer and ask for a LS6 chain, you will get the LS2.
Just a normal part revision, for the better.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 1
From: Douglasville Ga
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
From: Allentown PA
Yes and no...basically to replace a timing chain in the future requires the same amount of work as a cam swap, since your car will already be apart it costs nothingto replace...except the cost of the part...The same applies for an underdrive pulley. Will the stock chain break? Probably not, will the upgraded chain break? No...Do yourself a favor and change it...If your looking to save money, swap the chain and keep the stock push rods.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I have a comparsion picture of a stock and LS2 chain in my files. I will post it later tonight. Up grading to an LS2 chain is a NO Brainer if your already in the engine for MODS. If your just ripping it apart to change the chain,,,,thats a LOT of work and most likely NOT required.
BC
BC
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,298
Likes: 12
From: Salt Lake City UT
I have a comparsion picture of a stock and LS2 chain in my files. I will post it later tonight. Up grading to an LS2 chain is a NO Brainer if your already in the engine for MODS. If your just ripping it apart to change the chain,,,,thats a LOT of work and most likely NOT required.
BC
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BC
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
From: Allentown PA
Well I've had 5 cams in my C5, small to huge, I never, nor have any of my friends ever bent a stock rod. We all race our cars too. I had a T Rex cam which is about the biggest cam anyone would ever consider, no problems...if a rod bends so what...if a timing chain breaks $$$
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 1
From: Douglasville Ga
Well I've had 5 cams in my C5, small to huge, I never, nor have any of my friends ever bent a stock rod. We all race our cars too. I had a T Rex cam which is about the biggest cam anyone would ever consider, no problems...if a rod bends so what...if a timing chain breaks $$$
Well that will save a few $$. Thanks for the advice.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
As others have said the LS2 timing chain is a lot stronger than the LS1 chain. My car is getting new heads and cam as we speak. My brother (AJG1915) is spinning the wrenches.
He told me that the chain (LS1) in my car (99 FRC) with about 41K miles was pretty darn loose. Loose enough in fact to screw up the cam gear so we have to buy another.
It just makes good sense if you are there doing a cam to invest in a good timing chain like the LS2. Since I go a little overboard ( I think my brother is rubbing off on me
) I went with a Katech C5R timing chain.
Appreciate the tip about the pushrods. Been going back and forth on that one.
He told me that the chain (LS1) in my car (99 FRC) with about 41K miles was pretty darn loose. Loose enough in fact to screw up the cam gear so we have to buy another.
It just makes good sense if you are there doing a cam to invest in a good timing chain like the LS2. Since I go a little overboard ( I think my brother is rubbing off on me
) I went with a Katech C5R timing chain.Appreciate the tip about the pushrods. Been going back and forth on that one.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 14,051
Likes: 9
From: Houston TX
I went with a rollmaster double as an upgrade to my LS6 chain, then went to an LS2 chain when rollmaster double broke, then went with a Katech C5R chain when the LS2 broke 
Last edited by RC45; Jul 23, 2008 at 06:03 PM.
Have a brand new Rollmaster waiting to be installed with my new LG cam ! 
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
That's my route too, but I am waiting for the Cloyes Hex-Adjust with the Torrington bearing, should be out any time now (per Mike at Cloyes). Katech chain will go on the Cloyes sprockets.
Please let me know so I don't do it.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 18
From: Santa Fe TX
If you miss a shift with stock pushrods, you bend pushrods.
If you miss a shift with hardened pushrods you stress/stretch/break the chain.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 14,051
Likes: 9
From: Houston TX
The double roller snapped during an "encounter with a blown GTO" on the freeway
- and the LS2 snapped on a throttle blip before a shift on the road course.I just know that stuff breaks if you push it hard enough...
