Shop did not install my C5R chain and LS7 dampner during LS3 conversion

[MikeOD]

My responses are in red.

Originally Posted by mike.nite

Just received a phonecall from the shop. My car is ready.
They installed a LS3 conversion, Trunion upgrade, new cam, new heads, dual springs, hardened pushrods, ...
I am really happy with their work and this shop got *great reputation over here.

They told me they did not install my C5R chain and the LS7 dampner because of the following reasons:

- My car is still brand new (2'500 miles)Nonsense, you're going to ask more of it than you could have when it was stock, and the stock tensioner is prone to problems
- they never had any problems with the stock chain and dampnerEveryone else has...how many have they worked on?
- If you open the chain "housing" and reuse all the stock gaskets it won't be as well sealed as beforeThe timing cover was removed for the cam swap, they're just too lazy to lower the oil pan and remove the pump to swap the chain
- it is very extensive/time consuming because the oilpan has to be opened and the oilpump has to be removedIt takes about an hour to lower the oil pan from the block, it can stay in the car, just needs to be lowered, swap the chain, and put the pump back in and bolt the oil pan back up...zero leaks on every car I've ever seen it done to, or done it to myself



Do this statements make sense to you guys?

Was it part of the initial agreed labor? Because now, you're going to get screwed by another shop on labor charges to open it all back up to get there when the original shop was right there...I'd be pissed. This is why I work on my own stuff.

[MikeOD]

Originally Posted by VADER SS L99

Almost every tensioner failure I have ever read about on a LS3 had a aftermarket UD crank pulley. Coincidence??? IDK? I remember hearing something about the change in harmonics but then again I don't know for sure I just think it's better to be safe than sorry. At this point whats another 5RWHP anyway.

I've seen a lot of completely stock cars come apart for a cam swap with damage to the stock tensioner.

Every broken chain I've seen had a cheap aftermarket crank damper...go stock, go ATI, or go home.

[MikeOD]

Originally Posted by BLACK10

I understand. I actually just referring to professional shops.

I've dropped a few oil pump bolts, but luckily they pan has a bit of a shelf to it and a extendable pin magnet makes it pretty easy to retrieve them.

Placing a rag or a paper towel in the pan right below the pump makes it impossible to lose the bolt...just don't forget to pull the rag/towel back out after you bolt the pickup tube back on.

[Ivan @ Southwest Speed]

Originally Posted by BLACK10

I understand. I actually just referring to professional shops.

I've dropped a few oil pump bolts, but luckily they pan has a bit of a shelf to it and a extendable pin magnet makes it pretty easy to retrieve them.

+200

Amazing what some of those flexible magnets will and can do......

Ivan

[MikeOD]

Originally Posted by yotaman96

Bottom line, he gave them the parts to install. They should have at least called him to discuss the options instead of just assuming it would be okay. It's his car, not theirs.

EXACTLY...especially when the car is that far apart. Putting it back together without asking only means that now he needs to pay for the labor for the whole front of the engine to come back apart again another time, accessories out of the way, and timing cover, then pull the cam sprocket off to be able to get the tensioner out...just to do something he'd wanted done initially to HIS CAR in the first place.

[MikeOD]

Originally Posted by Ivan @ Southwest Speed

+200

Amazing what some of those flexible magnets will and can do......

Ivan

First time I put a pickup tube bolt back in I thought "wow...this is going to suck"...a ratchet wrench and a finger, and I said "holy crap...either I'm lucky, or that's just really easy.

Now that I've done several of them on several LS engines...it's been just as easy every single time. But I still throw a rag in there to keep anything from falling further down the pan should I make a mistake.

[Nvincent4708]

Originally Posted by mike.nite

Just received a phonecall from the shop. My car is ready.
They installed a LS3 conversion, Trunion upgrade, new cam, new heads, dual springs, hardened pushrods, ...
I am really happy with their work and this shop got *great reputation over here.

They told me they did not install my C5R chain and the LS7 dampner because of the following reasons:

- My car is still brand new (2'500 miles)
- they never had any problems with the stock chain and dampner
- If you open the chain "housing" and reuse all the stock gaskets it won't be as well sealed as before
- it is very extensive/time consuming because the oilpan has to be opened and the oilpump has to be removed



Do this statements make sense to you guys?

Chain housing.. front cover? it would have been off anyway..

see here:


New or not..the added force needed should AT THE LEAST require a new tensioner..or better the ls2 dampener (i only did the dampener, no new chain)

as for the oil pump to be removed..you drop the bolts on the pan and it drops enough to remove the pump.

They are b/s'ing you.. most likely forgot and don't want to admit it.

[Nvincent4708]

Originally Posted by MikeOD

I've seen a lot of completely stock cars come apart for a cam swap with damage to the stock tensioner.

Every broken chain I've seen had a cheap aftermarket crank damper...go stock, go ATI, or go home.

this.. the stock dampener believe it or not.. is a GREAT dampener.

ATI is also really good. this is not a part to go cheap on.. not on an LS anyway.

[MikeOD]

Originally Posted by Nvincent4708

this.. the stock dampener believe it or not.. is a GREAT dampener.

ATI is also really good. this is not a part to go cheap on.. not on an LS anyway.

I spin my car to 7200 RPM several times a day with a stock crank dampener...I expect my C5-R chain to never have a problem.

[mikeSS]

Originally Posted by MikeOD

I spin my car to 7200 RPM several times a day with a stock crank dampener...I expect my C5-R chain to never have a problem.

maybe i am wrong but i feel people have problems because of that. pushing the car to its limits. never will you see me revving past 6200RPM

[mike.nite]

I am really impressed by all the feedback. A lot of good inputs!

I need to clarify:
- I have not been charged for timing chain swap
- I did not specificly note the swap on my order/Build order
- However I did send the shop a list with all parts supplyed by me before I dropped my car

After reading all your comments I think that the shop should have had contacted me to at least check back and*ask what I want before finishing everything.

Anyway - Now everything is back together and I'm thinking about what to do.

- Just keep it as it is (Stock dampner, Stock chain)
- Swap both - *the chain and dampner
- Swap at least just the dampner

What would you guys do? What makes the most sense?
Do they need new gaskets if they open the timing chain cover again?

[yotaman96]

Originally Posted by mike.nite

I am really impressed by all the feedback. A lot of good inputs!

I need to clarify:
- I have not been charged for timing chain swap
- I did not specificly note the swap on my order/Build order
- However I did send the shop a list with all parts supplyed by me before I dropped my car

After reading all your comments I think that the shop should have had contacted me to at least check back and*ask what I want before finishing everything.

Anyway - Now everything is back together and I'm thinking about what to do.

- Just keep it as it is (Stock dampner, Stock chain)
- Swap both - *the chain and dampner
- Swap at least just the dampner

What would you guys do? What makes the most sense?
Do they need new gaskets if they open the timing chain cover again?

When I was doing my cam swap, I was going to keep the stock chain, but replace the tensioner with the dampner block. After I put the chain on, I noticed it had a lot of slack without the tensioner. I was not comfortable putting everything back together with that much slack in the chain. So, I bought the C5R chain and it fit much better. So, if you're keeping the stock chain, I would recommend keeping the stock tensioner. If you have the C5R put in, I'd change to the dampner block.

[Birm]

Originally Posted by mike.nite

I am really impressed by all the feedback. A lot of good inputs!

I need to clarify:
- I have not been charged for timing chain swap
- I did not specificly note the swap on my order/Build order
- However I did send the shop a list with all parts supplyed by me before I dropped my car

After reading all your comments I think that the shop should have had contacted me to at least check back and*ask what I want before finishing everything.

Anyway - Now everything is back together and I'm thinking about what to do.

- Just keep it as it is (Stock dampner, Stock chain)
- Swap both - *the chain and dampner
- Swap at least just the dampner

What would you guys do? What makes the most sense?
Do they need new gaskets if they open the timing chain cover again?

The swap of chain and dampner install would run you about 200$, at least here locally in Tampa. If you are concerned at all get it done, none of us with input are driving it or paying for it..

I didnt do it, I am ok with that, I did however do the timing chain to a double roller.

I would want new gaskets, it's like 25$ for a gasket/bolt kit ( the 1 I ordered from tsp). Its not needed, but I would if I am cracking it open anyways.

Good luck whatever you choose bro.

[nighttowl]

MikeOD - ive pulled the off topic content to a new thread on the damper issues you have so as to not hijack this thread.

i have to admit, you have me concerned. Other than what you have previously stated, id like to hear yours, and others thoughts on them.




http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...07#post5174607