pkmoose

I bought all three to do a comparison.

1) JWIS - Katech timing chain.
2) Stock GM - bought new from dealer.
3) Cloyes - came with the timing gears.

The Katech timing chain cam in at .56 lb, the GM .50 lb and the Cloyes .50 lb. The Cloyes looks like the stock GM timing chain :confused: . All three appear to be the same length. The Katech chain is definately a heavier chain and looks and feels like a better chain than the stocker. Katech also suggested the Cloyes timing gears to do away with the slack that the stock gears have.
I ordered direct from Katech and asked for 2nd day delivery, and wouldn't you know, it came in two days :eek: and the shipping charges were very reasonable :eek: I wish all vendors were like this :rolleyes:
Anyway, if you are looking for a heavy duty timing chain that's not going to cost an arm and leg, this one is for you :)

















[Modified by pkmoose, 12:45 AM 6/6/2002]

kewlbrz

thanks pk.

:cheers:

0Sales@MVPAutoParts.com

Thanks for doing the side by side comparison.

:cheers:
-Tuan

MDL-01C5

Excellent side-by-side, buddy :yesnod: :smash:
I have that exact Cloyes adjustable on my car, and swore the chain was identicle to the stocker when I saw it...I was very annoyed that it wasn't an upgraded chain like I'd hoped...
If the stock(er...Cloyes) chain breaks, I'll be using the Katech as an upgrade...
(God, how I wish I'd known before the H/C swap :( )



[Modified by MDL-01C5, 12:52 AM 6/6/2002]

jmX

Great post. :cheers:

vette.se

Thanks ! :cool:

When you order the Cloyes setup you need to use the correct order number to get the heavy duty IRL chain (they have two setups, one with a standard chain and one with the IRL chain). I think you can find the correct order number if you search the archives.

:cheers:

Paradigm

Thanks.

MattG

Excellent post!! :cheers: It looks like the JWIS/Katech chain is the best route!

MelloYellow

The Cloyes 3153A chain is indeed a stock RENOLD chain, same as OEM.
The Cloyes 3153AL part number includes a very expensive IRL chain which is a bit different.

I recc the Katech Jwis Kettin chain as well.

Could you measure the 2 Stock vs. 2 Cloyes gears and compare the teeth to see if there is any size difference? Since most of us don't adjust our cam timing, the gear set may or may not be necessary. Our cams come with 4* adv ground in.


[Modified by MelloYellow, 11:15 AM 6/6/2002]

Andy@A&ACorvette

I have the Cloyes Hex adjust. That chain stretched like a rubber band. I had to dial in 3 degrees to take up the chain stretch. At least I can adjust to take up the slack. :D

C5Noir

BTW, I spoke with HME (they make the Katech chain) and they said it is a direct replacement and larger timing and crank gears are NOT necessary, at all. He said that 90% are used as DIRECT replacements for the stock timing chain.

pkmoose

When I spoke with a rep at Katech he did say the JWIS chain will work fine all by itself as a direct replacement for the stock chain. He did suggest the Cloyes gears as they are supposed to be a little bit bigger, and that should take out the slack in the chain. The way I look at it, the chain will stretch after a few miles no matter what chain you get, if I can decrease the amount that the cam is affected by this than I am happy. Bottom line for me, bigger gears=less slack in the chain=more accurate cam timing=me :) .

Oh, and as far as your quote above, nothing is necessary on a Corvette, it's perfect as is from the factory :D Anyway, like I said above it's not necessary, but neither is changing valve springs during a cam swap (just keep rpm's under 5k), or changing oil every 3k or 5k miles (go strictly by the DIC), or using titanium retainers (stock work just fine), or using premium fuel (engineers say it's fine to use), or..... I think I made my point :p:

Austrian Vette

The Cloyes "A" setup that you show comes "NOT" with their
heavy duty chain.

It´s only the "AL" setup that comes with it!!!


I have the "AL" setup and the chain is WAY stronger than the stock one!!!!


Michael




[Modified by Austrian Vette, 8:08 PM 6/6/2002]

MelloYellow

Are you talking about the Cloyes A or AL?
The AL might be .5" longer than the stock & Jwis.

HIGHRPM

Great post.......any information on what timing chain GM uses on the C5R race engine?

C5Noir

They use the Katech (made by HME) chain.

rwj383

where can i order just the cloyes gears? Will Katech sell the cloyes gears with the Jwis chain?

MelloYellow

Ya. Katech has just the gears for like $105 I think. Throw away the stock RENOLD chain that is included.

Anyone have a source and part number for the HME chain? Pics?


[Modified by MelloYellow, 10:00 PM 6/7/2002]

BLISS

Nice post .... some local tuners should see this :D:D

AP

Cool Post ... I think that the Katech would be a best replacement ...