LT1 Timing Chain

[Viper]

Can someone tell me the Difference in 2 timing chains both for the LT1

Cloyes C499 factory replacement pre stretched heat treated high grade metal.

Cloyes C509 same description but another place says heavy duty only difference I can see is it costs $15 more.


The oversized crank gear to take up slack in LT1 timing chain is Cloyes part # S505

[josh89]

they're pretty well the same. If you can it would be worth upgrading to a roller chain. its smaller and stronger

[cocobolo95]

Another thing to keep in mind is on a lt1 the crank gear and chain are the same as a sbc standard parts, it's just the cam gear that is different because of opti and waterpump drive.

[Catmaigne]

Go with a full roller chain. The amount of slop in the LT1 OEM stuff is pretty bad.

[Andrews_94Z28]

Yea i'm looking into replacing my timing chain as well. I was probably just gonna go with whatever autozone had to offer. Right now I'm bone stock but plan on doing full bolt ons, ported stock heads and a cam. Any suggestions or is a stock replacement fine for me.

[donzilla69]

A roller chain is far better for pretty much anything . Has less friction all the way around .

[Andrews_94Z28]

Yea so my buddy keeps telling me. Know of any places I can get one?

[josh89]

I just purchased the gm heavy duty lt1/lt4 roller chain. It's a fair price for the quality of the part and it works with the factory water pump

[Catmaigne]

Originally Posted by josh89

I just purchased the gm heavy duty lt1/lt4 roller chain. It's a fair price for the quality of the part and it works with the factory water pump

I hope you still have your receipt.

The best advice I can give to anyone on this site is:

DO NOT BUY THE LT4 HEAVY DUTY TIMING CHAIN SET!!!

Here's why...

The only roller timing chain set you can get and retain your stock cam driven water pump is the LT4 heavy duty timing chain set, priced $260 at JEGS. I'll compare this to the ZZ4 timing set at JEGS prices (b/c that's where I buy all of my crap).

LT1/LT4 timing set #809-12370835 @ $260
Crankshaft sprocket #809-14088784
Chain #809-14088783

ZZ4 timing set #12371043 @$50
Crankshaft sprocket #809-14088784
Chain #809-14088783

Notice something? The crank sprockets and roller chains are IDENTICAL. Then why the $210 difference? The only perk of buying the LT4 set for $210 more is that you get a fancy cam sprocket that will let you retain your power robbing stock water pump... But why?

For $180 you could buy a JEGS 50GPM or CSR 30GPM electric water pump. You'll be gaining 10 horsepower and saving $30. Buy the ZZ4 set because it's a good excuse to upgrade to an EWP. It's what I run.

Disclaimer: The JEGS pump is a rebranded CSR heavy duty unit for the same price as the low end model which is all fine and dandy, BUT you'll need to trim the electric fan shroud with a dremel or it won't fit.

[Catmaigne]

And don't go buy another OEM non roller. They're absolute crap. You will regret it once you pull your timing cover and play with the factory chain.

[Andrews_94Z28]

Hmmm very interesting information ill deff keep that in mind when i'm looking for parts! Thanks

[shoebox]

To clarify...guys with non-vented optis can't do an aftermarket roller timing set. They don't have the provision to drive the opti. They are pretty much stuck with a stock set which has been reliable for many people even with performance upgrades. Aftermarket roller sets are only for people with an EWP and vented opti. The LT4 ED set requires a vented opti, but will run the stock water pump.

[Viper]

Thx Shoebox I bought the heat treated high performance factory replacement pre stretched ( reason for the slack and provides slightly better high rpm performance) Cloyes C499 as mine is non vented opti. Several have used oem or better parts with good results and my budget allows this.

I now have $315 in cam ported heads Lt4 springs retainers Locks Seals and Timing Chain.

http://wumingta.tripod.com/pub/porting19.jpg

http://wumingta.tripod.com/pub/camsprings.jpg


Question Shoebox on intake manifold gasket is the GM 12367777 qty 1 or GM kit of 2 12528884 intake manifold gaskets ok to use with ported LT1 heads?

[shoebox]

IDK, I don't have any personal experience with those gaskets. I would assume you could trim most any gasket as necessary.

[DUDBIRD113]

Lucky for me im going to run my non vented opti with a standard sbc timing set. Just gonna turn down a old cam sprocket with the spline in it and mount it behind the new chain and space the crank sprocket correctly. When i do it i shall take pics.