New timing chain tensioner necessary? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

yotaman96 · 05-03-2011, 12:26 AM

Thinking about putting an LS9 cam in my LS3. Can I just change over to the 3 bolt cam sprocket and leave the rest stock or do I really need to change the tensioner as well? Will the stock timing chain work fine? Thanks for your help.

Please don't reply with there are much better cams to go with. That's not my question.

Ovenmitt · 05-03-2011, 12:33 AM

Personal preference. You'll be fine with either. I kept the stock slack adjuster on mine with a 3 bolt gear, works fine. GM's done it both styles of tensioner with a 3 bolt cam (LS9 vs LSA), doesn't make much a difference.

Irnwkrkev · 05-03-2011, 03:47 AM

I've installed an LS9 cam in my '11 LS3. I went ahead and did the dampner as well. It has less parts.... I have seen threads detailing the stock tensioner coming apart. There is nothing more involved then removing the tensioner and installing the dampner. I believe you have to remove the oil pump to swap to the three bolt sprocket anyway. All that's required to re-install the oils pump is to pull the plugs, install the oil pump hand tight, spin the crank a couple of times to center the pump and torque it to specs. It's also a good time to install an underdrive pulley since you have to remove the pulley to remove the front cover. The LS9 cam is good for an easy 20hp and I didn't gain anything power wise with a custom tune. The tune was just beneficial for codes (installed cat delete pipes and 160* thermostat), calming the idle, and helped the afr at part throttle.

steeleshark2 · 05-03-2011, 04:40 AM

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...=138223&page=9

Post #223

05-03-2011, 12:26 AM	#1
yotaman96 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS1LE 2000 Trans Am WS6 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Portland, TN Posts: 2,955 View My Garage	New timing chain tensioner necessary? Thinking about putting an LS9 cam in my LS3. Can I just change over to the 3 bolt cam sprocket and leave the rest stock or do I really need to change the tensioner as well? Will the stock timing chain work fine? Thanks for your help. Please don't reply with there are much better cams to go with. That's not my question. __________________ 2017 Krypton Green SS 1LE Magnacharged 2000 Trans Am WS6 manual trans 2002 Trans Am 2015 Ram Crew Cab Cummins Last edited by yotaman96; 05-03-2011 at 12:55 AM.

05-03-2011, 04:40 AM	#4
steeleshark2 Drives: 2010 Transformer 1SS Camaro Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Kingsland, Ga Posts: 2,553 View My Garage	http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...=138223&page=9 Post #223 __________________ Build page:http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...77#post3083477

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05-03-2011, 12:33 AM	#2
Ovenmitt Account Suspended Drives: 2011 RJT 1SS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Fort Lewis, Washington Posts: 730	Personal preference. You'll be fine with either. I kept the stock slack adjuster on mine with a 3 bolt gear, works fine. GM's done it both styles of tensioner with a 3 bolt cam (LS9 vs LSA), doesn't make much a difference.

05-03-2011, 03:47 AM	#3
Irnwkrkev Drives: 2011 SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Miami Posts: 528	I've installed an LS9 cam in my '11 LS3. I went ahead and did the dampner as well. It has less parts.... I have seen threads detailing the stock tensioner coming apart. There is nothing more involved then removing the tensioner and installing the dampner. I believe you have to remove the oil pump to swap to the three bolt sprocket anyway. All that's required to re-install the oils pump is to pull the plugs, install the oil pump hand tight, spin the crank a couple of times to center the pump and torque it to specs. It's also a good time to install an underdrive pulley since you have to remove the pulley to remove the front cover. The LS9 cam is good for an easy 20hp and I didn't gain anything power wise with a custom tune. The tune was just beneficial for codes (installed cat delete pipes and 160* thermostat), calming the idle, and helped the afr at part throttle.