LS3 Timing Chain
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
LS3 Timing Chain
Im preparing to install a fairly aggressive Comp LSXR Cam on my 2008 C6 LS3 along with necessary component upgrades, rockers, push rods, valve springs, ect. The Cam is a single bolt so i can use the existing sprocket and timing chain. id rather avoid the extra work of dropping the oil pan and removing the oil pump to change the timing chain. The existing chain has 20k mile on it. Any opinions as to the wisdom of using the existing chain and sprocket or should i go the extra yard and upgrade it as well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 261
From: Miami Florida
pan out...
Considering your millage you should be ok, I'm doing similar work but include 13 to 1 compression so I will replace for an Iwis chain.
However you do not need to drop your oil pan to change your timing chain, you do however need to "if" you are changing your oil pump.
For performance cam it is a good practice to change the cam to a three bolt in which case you change cam sprocket.
However you do not need to drop your oil pan to change your timing chain, you do however need to "if" you are changing your oil pump.
For performance cam it is a good practice to change the cam to a three bolt in which case you change cam sprocket.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Timing Chain
Considering your millage you should be ok, I'm doing similar work but include 13 to 1 compression so I will replace for an Iwis chain.
However you do not need to drop your oil pan to change your timing chain, you do however need to "if" you are changing your oil pump.
For performance cam it is a good practice to change the cam to a three bolt in which case you change cam sprocket.
However you do not need to drop your oil pan to change your timing chain, you do however need to "if" you are changing your oil pump.
For performance cam it is a good practice to change the cam to a three bolt in which case you change cam sprocket.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 408
Likes: 10
From: Houston TX
Im preparing to install a fairly aggressive Comp LSXR Cam on my 2008 C6 LS3 along with necessary component upgrades, rockers, push rods, valve springs, ect. The Cam is a single bolt so i can use the existing sprocket and timing chain. id rather avoid the extra work of dropping the oil pan and removing the oil pump to change the timing chain. The existing chain has 20k mile on it. Any opinions as to the wisdom of using the existing chain and sprocket or should i go the extra yard and upgrade it as well.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I just had a cam installed in my GS. It has 22,5xx miles on it. I did the C5R timing chain upgrade and I think you should too. Back in 08 or 09 there were a rash of LS3 cars breaking timing chains when aftermarket cams were installed. It's cheap insurance, those C5R chains hardly ever break.
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Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 250
Likes: 12
From: Manayunk PA
You do not have to drop the oil pan to change the oil pump on a Corvette. Personally I am not a fan of the LS3 tensioner as the plastic section tends to break off. I would switch to a LS2 style dampener while you are in there. I swapped over on mine and it hasn't given any problems and it's one less thing to break. I agree with others on the C5R chain as well.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 219
Likes: 5
From: Batesville Arkansas
C5R is the way i went also! Dropping off my 08 LS3 to do a cam install this week and wanted the insurance of having a stronger more reliable timing chain to prevent any problem that could possibly arise later down the road if i used the stock timing chain
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
After reading all the informative comments, it's a no brainier. I will most likely go with the C5R timing chain along with 3 bolt cam and new sprocket.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
Considering your millage you should be ok, I'm doing similar work but include 13 to 1 compression so I will replace for an Iwis chain.
However you do not need to drop your oil pan to change your timing chain, you do however need to "if" you are changing your oil pump.
For performance cam it is a good practice to change the cam to a three bolt in which case you change cam sprocket.
However you do not need to drop your oil pan to change your timing chain, you do however need to "if" you are changing your oil pump.
For performance cam it is a good practice to change the cam to a three bolt in which case you change cam sprocket.
