Timing chain
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
it isn't a required maintenance item but if you ever have the front of the motor open to do a cam, oil pump, or even replacing the balancer I would go ahead and do it just for peace of mind, especially if it is a higher mileage motor
Tech Contributor
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I agree with NEUTRON82
HOWEVER,,,,,,,
The LS1/6 timing chain is a poor design. The rollers between each link are NOT one piece tubing design. They are a SPLIT tube design. They have been known to break and the roller halves wind up in the oil pan on high mile LS engines. Especially if you run them very hard!!!
The replacement chain is an LS2/LS7 chain that has thicker links and that one piece TUBE roller design. If you look closely, you can see the split roller on the OLD chain:
IF,, you have a late model 02+ block, your block may be machined from the factory to utilize a Timing Chain Damper. The C5 Dampener is unique to C5. A C6 dampener will NOT fit.
Here is a picture of a new LS2 chain instilled on my 02 ZO6 and compared to the OEM removed chain (@ 40,000 miles) when I did my heads/cam install:
I also installed a timing chain dampener (holes were machined)
LS6 Dampener:
Hope this helps..
Bill
HOWEVER,,,,,,,
The LS1/6 timing chain is a poor design. The rollers between each link are NOT one piece tubing design. They are a SPLIT tube design. They have been known to break and the roller halves wind up in the oil pan on high mile LS engines. Especially if you run them very hard!!!
The replacement chain is an LS2/LS7 chain that has thicker links and that one piece TUBE roller design. If you look closely, you can see the split roller on the OLD chain:
IF,, you have a late model 02+ block, your block may be machined from the factory to utilize a Timing Chain Damper. The C5 Dampener is unique to C5. A C6 dampener will NOT fit.
Here is a picture of a new LS2 chain instilled on my 02 ZO6 and compared to the OEM removed chain (@ 40,000 miles) when I did my heads/cam install:
I also installed a timing chain dampener (holes were machined)
LS6 Dampener:
Hope this helps..
Bill
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Aug 21, 2015 at 12:07 PM.
Team Owner
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
fwiw, I have the katech c5r chain... it might seem like a bit overkill on a stock motor but if you have ever seen a chain break it's nasty
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
That's why I'll likely use one of Hinson's C7R chains if I ever have to go back in. 
