Beware stock timing chain tensioner! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ULTRAZLS1 · 03-28-2012, 11:08 AM

As some of you may have heard some people have reported problems or breakage with the stock ls3 timing chain tensioner.

It is a good thing that I ended up doing a heads and cam install this year. The shop who is doing my install called me today and said that the spring had popped out of the tensioner!!! They are currently trying to fish it out of the oil pan!

I had heard of this problem and supplied the correct parts for them to install (ls2 dampener).

I just cant believe how lucky I got with this. I wonder how long I was driving it around like this...and I run the thing to redline almost every time I drive it...wow

btw...forgot to mention...car has 9900 miles on it.

ITGuy11 · 03-28-2012, 11:49 AM

Good thing you caught it in time before and serious damage occurred. This is why I also switched to the LS2 dampner setup when I did my cam install as well...

MikeOD · 03-29-2012, 09:50 AM

Mine was ok when I opened it up, but it just seemed like such a cheesy setup, it has an LS2 damper and C5-R chain now.

ULTRAZLS1 · 03-29-2012, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeOD

Mine was ok when I opened it up, but it just seemed like such a cheesy setup, it has an LS2 damper and C5-R chain now.

I went with the same.

urr2slo · 03-29-2012, 12:23 PM

Another problem thats starting to surface on a few LS3's has been a broken timing chain. It tends to happen more on the manual trans Corvettes but a couple Camaros as well. When mixed with with sticky tires if the axles, driveshaft or trans input shaft has not broken the timing chain has let go on a clutch drop.
I did an Iwis timing chain upgrade and chucked the LS3 tensioner for an LS9 dampner 2 years ago. Over 30k with alot hard miles on it now with no problems.
I work at Midway Chevrolet in Phoenix, we have a Performance center here and we currently upgrade all our timing chains with this when we do a Cam Package just to be safe.

Fiftydriver · 03-29-2012, 01:38 PM

Good information to have, will be doing a cam upgraded here later this summer and will not upgrade the chain and dampener as well.

Thanks guys.

ULTRAZLS1 · 03-29-2012, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiftydriver

Good information to have, will be doing a cam upgraded here later this summer and will not upgrade the chain and dampener as well.

Thanks guys.

You mean will upgrade?

Fiftydriver · 03-29-2012, 03:36 PM

Thinking faster then I can type!!!! Yep, will upgrade!!

Fiftydriver · 03-29-2012, 03:37 PM

Is a dual timing chain a good idea?

ULTRAZLS1 · 03-29-2012, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiftydriver

Is a dual timing chain a good idea?

Yes except you cant use the melling 10296 high volume oil pump. Might be a problem with other pumps as well. Their is not enough clearance with the double chain in their.

It can be made to fit but I forget the details. Seemed like a headache...combined with the fact that the single katech c5r chain has never been broken even in racing aps was enough for me to forget about the double roller.

H4rm0n1'c · 03-29-2012, 05:16 PM

I used to run my cam wiht the OEM timing chain 3 months ago up to date without any problems

my g6x3 come with single katech c5r chain but some of the part came later that's why I ran the OEM timing chain

buzzy56 · 03-29-2012, 05:39 PM

What about the L99 timing chain ? I assume the chain is different ? But if so, is it suspect for durability also ?

ULTRAZLS1 · 03-29-2012, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzzy56

What about the L99 timing chain ? I assume the chain is different ? But if so, is it suspect for durability also ?

I am not sufficiently educated on the L99 to know that for sure....sorry.

CamaroFemme · 03-29-2012, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzzy56

What about the L99 timing chain ? I assume the chain is different ? But if so, is it suspect for durability also ?

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...9+timing+chain

^This thread mentions "the yellow plastic bit can get brittle" and that is the problem - do we have this same bit?

03-28-2012, 11:08 AM	#1
ULTRAZLS1 Drives: 14 Silverado LTZ Z71, 16 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Jackson, Michigan Posts: 4,407	Beware stock timing chain tensioner! As some of you may have heard some people have reported problems or breakage with the stock ls3 timing chain tensioner. It is a good thing that I ended up doing a heads and cam install this year. The shop who is doing my install called me today and said that the spring had popped out of the tensioner!!! They are currently trying to fish it out of the oil pan! I had heard of this problem and supplied the correct parts for them to install (ls2 dampener). I just cant believe how lucky I got with this. I wonder how long I was driving it around like this...and I run the thing to redline almost every time I drive it...wow btw...forgot to mention...car has 9900 miles on it.

03-29-2012, 09:50 AM	#3
MikeOD Drives: 2010 M6 2SS Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South Windsor, CT Posts: 1,202	Mine was ok when I opened it up, but it just seemed like such a cheesy setup, it has an LS2 damper and C5-R chain now. __________________ 2010 Camaro SS M6. Heads/Cam/Intake/Headers/Exhaust/Suspension

03-29-2012, 12:23 PM	#5
urr2slo Drives: 2010 2ss ss/rs abm, 2016 2ss/rs hbm Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: N. Phx, Az Posts: 1,332	Another problem thats starting to surface on a few LS3's has been a broken timing chain. It tends to happen more on the manual trans Corvettes but a couple Camaros as well. When mixed with with sticky tires if the axles, driveshaft or trans input shaft has not broken the timing chain has let go on a clutch drop. I did an Iwis timing chain upgrade and chucked the LS3 tensioner for an LS9 dampner 2 years ago. Over 30k with alot hard miles on it now with no problems. I work at Midway Chevrolet in Phoenix, we have a Performance center here and we currently upgrade all our timing chains with this when we do a Cam Package just to be safe. __________________ URR2SLO - If you're not going fast enough, get out the way......

03-29-2012, 01:38 PM	#6
Fiftydriver Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SSRS RJT L99 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Fort Shaw, Montana Posts: 1,242	Good information to have, will be doing a cam upgraded here later this summer and will not upgrade the chain and dampener as well. Thanks guys. __________________ Fiftydriver 2010 SSRS, RJTC, L99, Maggie 2300 SC, 3.4" pulley, Roto-Fab CAI, Dynatech Supermaxx LT headers, Dynatech High Flow cats, Corsa Cat back exhaust, Dual Elite Engineering catch can, MSD wires and Jannetty custom tune, JRE custom diff w/ posi mod, 3.91 LPE gears, Pfaht trailing arms, Pfaht trailing arm and Diff bushings, drop springs and sport sway bars front and back, Fesler dual guage pillar pod w/ AM Cobalt Boost and A/F guages. More to come!!

03-29-2012, 03:36 PM	#8
Fiftydriver Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SSRS RJT L99 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Fort Shaw, Montana Posts: 1,242	Thinking faster then I can type!!!! Yep, will upgrade!! __________________ Fiftydriver 2010 SSRS, RJTC, L99, Maggie 2300 SC, 3.4" pulley, Roto-Fab CAI, Dynatech Supermaxx LT headers, Dynatech High Flow cats, Corsa Cat back exhaust, Dual Elite Engineering catch can, MSD wires and Jannetty custom tune, JRE custom diff w/ posi mod, 3.91 LPE gears, Pfaht trailing arms, Pfaht trailing arm and Diff bushings, drop springs and sport sway bars front and back, Fesler dual guage pillar pod w/ AM Cobalt Boost and A/F guages. More to come!!

03-28-2012, 11:49 AM	#2
ITGuy11 Burning up tires Drives: 2023 ZL1 Vert Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Macomb Twp, MI Posts: 717	Good thing you caught it in time before and serious damage occurred. This is why I also switched to the LS2 dampner setup when I did my cam install as well...

03-29-2012, 03:37 PM	#9
Fiftydriver Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SSRS RJT L99 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Fort Shaw, Montana Posts: 1,242	Is a dual timing chain a good idea? __________________ Fiftydriver 2010 SSRS, RJTC, L99, Maggie 2300 SC, 3.4" pulley, Roto-Fab CAI, Dynatech Supermaxx LT headers, Dynatech High Flow cats, Corsa Cat back exhaust, Dual Elite Engineering catch can, MSD wires and Jannetty custom tune, JRE custom diff w/ posi mod, 3.91 LPE gears, Pfaht trailing arms, Pfaht trailing arm and Diff bushings, drop springs and sport sway bars front and back, Fesler dual guage pillar pod w/ AM Cobalt Boost and A/F guages. More to come!!

03-29-2012, 05:16 PM	#11
H4rm0n1'c Drives: 10 camaro Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Maro Planet Posts: 136	I used to run my cam wiht the OEM timing chain 3 months ago up to date without any problems my g6x3 come with single katech c5r chain but some of the part came later that's why I ran the OEM timing chain __________________

03-29-2012, 05:39 PM	#12
buzzy56 buzzy56 Drives: 2ss summit white L99 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: paradise Posts: 1,115 View My Garage	What about the L99 timing chain ? What about the L99 timing chain ? I assume the chain is different ? But if so, is it suspect for durability also ? __________________ OLD SCHOOL / NEW SCHOOL COOL

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