timing chain or gear drive?
Thread Starter
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Press "2" for English
timing chain or gear drive?
what do you guys think? obviously, application is an important consideration so here's the deal:
the car will be basic street rod stuff. not planning on doing (much) more track days and i'm considering running a mechanical cam. it'll definately be more healthy than stock. i'm not worried about the noise but i probably will be getting the quieter one anyway.
after disassembling the blown motor, i found that the cam sprocket had about half the teeth missing. my engineer guru friend tells me that's be cause i over rev the motor. didn't really even think that was possible since it had stock heads with the valve rotators and everything so i didn't think i'd be able to get that kind of RPM out of it.
anyway, this motor will be fairly stout compared to stock and as such, i may very well take it to 6500 from time to time.
the car will be basic street rod stuff. not planning on doing (much) more track days and i'm considering running a mechanical cam. it'll definately be more healthy than stock. i'm not worried about the noise but i probably will be getting the quieter one anyway.
after disassembling the blown motor, i found that the cam sprocket had about half the teeth missing. my engineer guru friend tells me that's be cause i over rev the motor. didn't really even think that was possible since it had stock heads with the valve rotators and everything so i didn't think i'd be able to get that kind of RPM out of it.
anyway, this motor will be fairly stout compared to stock and as such, i may very well take it to 6500 from time to time.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by clutchdust
what do you guys think? obviously, application is an important consideration so here's the deal:
the car will be basic street rod stuff. not planning on doing (much) more track days and i'm considering running a mechanical cam. it'll definately be more healthy than stock. i'm not worried about the noise but i probably will be getting the quieter one anyway.
after disassembling the blown motor, i found that the cam sprocket had about half the teeth missing. my engineer guru friend tells me that's be cause i over rev the motor. didn't really even think that was possible since it had stock heads with the valve rotators and everything so i didn't think i'd be able to get that kind of RPM out of it.
anyway, this motor will be fairly stout compared to stock and as such, i may very well take it to 6500 from time to time.
the car will be basic street rod stuff. not planning on doing (much) more track days and i'm considering running a mechanical cam. it'll definately be more healthy than stock. i'm not worried about the noise but i probably will be getting the quieter one anyway.
after disassembling the blown motor, i found that the cam sprocket had about half the teeth missing. my engineer guru friend tells me that's be cause i over rev the motor. didn't really even think that was possible since it had stock heads with the valve rotators and everything so i didn't think i'd be able to get that kind of RPM out of it.
anyway, this motor will be fairly stout compared to stock and as such, i may very well take it to 6500 from time to time.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
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From: Taylor Michigan
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid
6500 is no big deal on a well built engine. I'd get a good Cloyes DR set-up and forget it. There's nothing wrong with a gear drive but I find the noise atrocious on a street car. I realize some like that sound, but I don't. The gear drive is overkill and needless expense for your needs.
427 L88`s and 454 LS7`s are chain and gears at well over 500+ honest HP
Thread Starter
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Press "2" for English
guys, i'll probably go with the chain. however, the price difference between a *good* chain and the gear is only about $30 so i just thought i might as well step up. i know both have their drawbacks but maybe i'll find a few more horsepower for the extra couple bucks.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 625
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From: Southern California
A good true roller double row chain doesn't really have any drawbacks. You won't see any hp increase with a gear drive, in fact just the opposite, because of crankshaft vibration harmonics that will be transmitted to the valve train. Also on a kickback, the gear drive is so solid that it has been known to cause damage that would not occur with a chain that can absorb some of the shock. Do yourself a favor and go with a good chain, that will be stepping up.
Thread Starter
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Press "2" for English
o.k. guys, i'm sold. the cloyes i'm going to order has billet cam and crank sprockets so i feel more comfortable about it than that cheap set with the cast iron cam sprocket (or, as i now call it, the explode-o-matic sprocket).
