Time bomb?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Louisville Ky
Time bomb?
I've got 126,000 miles on my 2000, bought it new and have always driven it quite hard. The motor is bone stock other than the A&A supercharger. How much longer can I push my stock timing chain and valve train before things stock falling out the bottom?
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
WOW. I would say the stock chain is about toast. Did you have the stock damper changed when you added the A&A supercharger?? Stock Dampers wear out around 50-70K (the seals cut the hub and they start leaking. )
The stock valve springs are also suspect as they get weak with age.
The good thing is, if your oil pressure is good, the bottom end is still good!!
The stock valve springs are also suspect as they get weak with age.
The good thing is, if your oil pressure is good, the bottom end is still good!!
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 619
Likes: 1
From: ATLANTA GA
If you went that route youd have a beast with that supercharger and the extra cubes.
its worth a thought you can have that motor on the side, and when you get everything have it put in. If your old motor is still good Itll be worth money to recoop...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Louisville Ky
The motor has never been touched, original everything! Actually the drive train is all original except for the Exedy twin disc clutch, new torque tube couples, and a waterpump that was only changed because the belt squeaked. The valve springs seem to flutter a bit over 6200, either that or my original coils are laying down. The plan is a stroker, but the tranny and diff are first, and the budget only allows for one at a time, so the motor is last on the list. Sounds to me like I better do a little preventative maintenance or the motor may come first! What would you guys suggest as the bare minimum, chain, dampener, springs and pushrods if needed? anything else I should address to make it last a little longer? btw, the motor seems to be pretty tight, only uses about a quart of oil between changes.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
The motor has never been touched, original everything! Actually the drive train is all original except for the Exedy twin disc clutch, new torque tube couples, and a waterpump that was only changed because the belt squeaked. The valve springs seem to flutter a bit over 6200, either that or my original coils are laying down. The plan is a stroker, but the tranny and diff are first, and the budget only allows for one at a time, so the motor is last on the list. Sounds to me like I better do a little preventative maintenance or the motor may come first! What would you guys suggest as the bare minimum, chain, dampener, springs and pushrods if needed? anything else I should address to make it last a little longer? btw, the motor seems to be pretty tight, only uses about a quart of oil between changes.
I'm guessing you're pushing what most people would feel comfortable with as far as stock springs.
Chris
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Louisville Ky
I hate to go that far without putting a cam in it. And that's not going to do much good unless I free up the exhaust.
Damn, my transmission is going to hate me. Maybe I'll just stick with the chain and the springs for now.
Damn, my transmission is going to hate me. Maybe I'll just stick with the chain and the springs for now.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,246
Likes: 1,092
From: Dyer, IN
I think any car is a time bomb if you beat the $hit out of it all the time with factory components. I guess you should let your driving habits dictate your upgrades.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,030
Likes: 10
From: Prescott AZ
St. Jude Donor '04
Do what I did pick up a set of 317 heads they go for $250.00 or less
A used cam or ls6 cam the Ls6 cam can be had for about $100.00
Find a set of used long tubes for about $500.00
Ls2 timing chaing $50.00
Ported oil pump $100.00
ARP head bolts $150.00
GM 6.0 head gasket $65.00
Hardened pushrods $100.00
I went from 440 rwhp to 609 rwhp. I did go down a pulley size but even if I didn't I would be around 550rwhp + .
All that stuff will transfer over to your new motor if you end up building a new one.
I would compression check the motor before I did all that just to make sure everything is good.
When my car was just a bolt on blower kit I was getting some valve float on the top end so I don't think I would risk it with those springs.
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
If you want ot go low budget to get buy put some ls6 springs in, inspect and leave the rods if they're ok and replace the timing chain, button it up and call it a day.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Louisville Ky
Push rods are the least of my concerns, I'd rather they be the weak link in case something else lets go. If any of mine are still straight they're going right back in! Yes, this is a budget band-aid until I get the drive-train built, and nothing will be used for the next engine build, so cheap is good!
I hadn't given any thought to LS6 springs, are they much better than what I have?
I hadn't given any thought to LS6 springs, are they much better than what I have?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,030
Likes: 10
From: Prescott AZ
St. Jude Donor '04
Push rods are the least of my concerns, I'd rather they be the weak link in case something else lets go. If any of mine are still straight they're going right back in! Yes, this is a budget band-aid until I get the drive-train built, and nothing will be used for the next engine build, so cheap is good!
I hadn't given any thought to LS6 springs, are they much better than what I have?
I hadn't given any thought to LS6 springs, are they much better than what I have?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
Likes: 26
From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
upgrade to an ECS blower cam kit while your in there
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,030
Likes: 10
From: Prescott AZ
St. Jude Donor '04
Here you go what a deal LOL he just posted these ls6 valve springs with 4k on them
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...e-springs.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...e-springs.html
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Louisville Ky
No, rev limiter stays at 6500 for now. I'm not going to try to make anymore power until the tranny and rear are built, then I'm going to start leaning on it, see what an OLD LS1 can handle on pump.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
