turbotuner20v

If I want to run a 3-bolt cam/sprocket setup, can I just buy the 3-bolt sproket and reuse my 13k mile LS3 tensioner and LS3 chain?

Rick@RKT Performance

Yes, I have done this many times.

0Brian@RPT

You can and I would upgrade the tensioner. Those are junk and use the LS2/LS7 version.

S'vette

what benifits do you get from going to the 3 bolt over the one bolt?

glenB

camshaft selection

S'vette

bigger cams? or better cams?

turbotuner20v

Someone told me that if you have 3 bolts, all of them have to back out to cause major problems (which you'd hopefully hear). If you only have 1 bolt and it backs out, it's too late to do anything. I can actually order my cam either way, 1 bolt or 3 bolt.

turbotuner20v

Does the LS3/LS9 tensioner really break that much? I wasn't sure if it was internet hype, or something to actually worry about.

It seems the LS2/LS3 timing chains are strong enough to re-use. So no need for a C5R chain?

glenB

availability of cam grinds. newer motors like the LS3 aren't as much of a problem, but, most custom grinds are done on the 3 bolt core.

S'vette

sounds good for more safety.

glenB

False security ....

0Brian@RPT

I use the C5R Timing Chain and the LS2 Timing Chain Damper. The LS3 version is very thin and I have seen them break. It is to complicated of a design and the LS7/LS2/LS9 uses a solid damper and works like a champ. They are cheap too.

JUIC3D

Yup, it sure does.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...-enclosed.html

JUIC3D

LS9 pictures I've seen show it using the tensioner, not the dampener. Did they change at some point during the ZR1 production?

irok

chain dampener cheap insurance versus tensioner! Dan

turbotuner20v

sounds good, I went with a 3-bolt cam and will do the ARP bolts, ls2 damper, and c5r chain

SteveDoten

Exactly, I'd suggest getting the magnetic drain plug for anyone that hasn't replaced the LS3 tensioner, the failure is common.

Yes, the LS3 tensioner was also used on the 2007 LS2, I lack experience with the LS9...............tensioner failure on the LS3 is not hype.

just saw your chain note, it's 50 for a new LS2/3/7/9 chain or 150 for a new IWIS C5R chain, it's free labor when replacing a chain on a cam swap..........I would.

Bigwebb

sorry to revive an old thread, but information on this seems to be plentiful but incomplete, and this seems to be the most concise info I've found.

So... LS3 head/cam swap to a 3 bolt.... I should go with something like the lingenfelter 3 bolt steel sproket, c5r chain (any REAL difference between hinson and katech here?), and the simplified design of the ls2 style dampener? How many folks change the sproket and dampener and keep the oem chain? In my reading, it actually seems like the chain is not as likely to be the problem as people make it out to be.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/l...RoCS7wQAvD_BwE

ericwilloughby

We'll, not for me. Ive had all 3 bolts back out all the way to the timing cover and wear a groove. Now maybe a single bolt never would've backed out in the 1st place? But if a signle would've my engine would've been toast