Ls3 timing chain tensioner vs dog bone - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Silverado60 · 12-25-2020, 02:04 PM

In the middle of my cam swap and have both in hand but can’t decide which one to use

Clarkstar · 12-25-2020, 04:58 PM

The dog bone...

Chris49066SS · 12-25-2020, 06:32 PM

LS2 style. The LS3 standard style tensioner is too prone to breakage with bigger cams

InFiD3ViL · 12-25-2020, 06:52 PM

^^^Dog bone LS2 for sure. Do it now and never think about it again.

I have seen too many failures related to the LS3 tensioner to be comfortable to leave the stock unit in on a cammed engine. We even had a Camaro5 member post about his failure recently. I have seen a couple where the metal spring clip breaks loose and and get wedged between the upper gear and gouges the face of the block/gear. I also saw one get wedged between the face of the cam and upper gear, which was completely baffling as there shouldn't be any clearance there. But I guess at high rpm and banging any spinning parts, anything is possible. Last thing you want is that spring clip floating around your engine smacking into who knows what. Luckily most of the time they end up in the pan with some broken plastic pieces.

The only real downside I can see to the LS2 style is that it doesn't put any real tension on the chain like the LS3 style, so it will give the impression that it has slack in it. But it still prevents excessive slap.

Neumatic · 12-25-2020, 07:31 PM

LS2 dampener for sure. The LS3 tensioner is straight trash.

Silverado60 · 12-25-2020, 08:21 PM

Thanks for the input guys!

I tend to agree with what you guys are saying. But I’ve also seen some talk of broken timing chains being the reason GM went with the Ls3 style.
Making it quieter for the Cadillac may have also been a reason

Chris49066SS · 12-25-2020, 08:39 PM

For a modded LS3/L99, you want the LS2 dampener. OEM planning and building is not the same as modded 5th Gen LS3 and L99s. You can look through hundreds of threads and read why the LS2 dampener is the one you want if you put a cam in. Good luck and happy modding!

rdavis · 12-26-2020, 07:15 AM

Do you have to remove the oil pump for the install? Looks pretty tight.

Silverado60 · 12-26-2020, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdavis

Do you have to remove the oil pump for the install? Looks pretty tight.

I’m doing a melling pump and new timing set for a 3 bolt cam gear. Which is pretty much standard issue
But I’m pulling the timing cover today so I can look into that for you

Silverado60 · 12-26-2020, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris49066SS

For a modded LS3/L99, you want the LS2 dampener. OEM planning and building is not the same as modded 5th Gen LS3 and L99s. You can look through hundreds of threads and read why the LS2 dampener is the one you want if you put a cam in. Good luck and happy modding!

I believe what your saying is correct and the dog bone will go in.
The last thing I want is a broken tensioner

Thanks for the reassurance

Thunder70 · 12-26-2020, 09:42 AM

Ls2 one for sure

rdavis · 12-26-2020, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverado60

I’m doing a melling pump and new timing set for a 3 bolt cam gear. Which is pretty much standard issue
But I’m pulling the timing cover today so I can look into that for you

Thank you , very interested if you can swap it out w/o disturbing the oil pump. When I did my cam swap my tensioner was in perfect shape so I left it alone. Next time I am in it I would like to install the LS2 damper.

tartagliazl1 · 12-26-2020, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdavis

Thank you , very interested if you can swap it out w/o disturbing the oil pump. When I did my cam swap my tensioner was in perfect shape so I left it alone. Next time I am in it I would like to install the LS2 damper.

Oil pump must be removed to replace the tensioner. The bolts hit the back of the pump.

GONIF · 12-26-2020, 02:16 PM

What did the cam manufacturer installer/tuner recommend ? How radical is the cam ?

12-25-2020, 02:04 PM	#1
Silverado60 Drives: 2010 camaro 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Pa Posts: 238	Ls3 timing chain tensioner vs dog bone In the middle of my cam swap and have both in hand but can’t decide which one to use __________________ Texas speed F-35 cam, rollmaster timing set, melling hp pump, ls2 chain damper, fluid damper 25% under drive, Che rocker bushings, tsp .660 lift valve springs, BBK CAI Amzoil filter with Phastek ww relocation and scoop, Gmpp axle back, Speed engineering 1 7/8" LT's no cats, Peak speed shop ported tb, NGK tr6, MSD wires, Amsoil Zrod wix, heritage grill, 1.25" BMR springs, MRR 228, Nitto Nt05,dyno tuned by complete street performance, elite eng catch can, clean side separator, Hurst shifter, Zl1 addon wickerbill Last edited by Silverado60; 12-25-2020 at 09:04 PM.

12-25-2020, 04:58 PM	#2
Clarkstar Drives: 2013 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Ixonia wi Posts: 1,456	The dog bone... __________________ 2013 1le- Katech 416 short block, TSP custom grind cam, LOD intake, cnc heads by F.ED., Nick William's 102mm T.B., CORN fed, Pedders coilovers. Performance street alingnment by Justin at Lake Country Alignment and dyno tune by Late Model Throttle. 603 h.p. 495 ft lbs tq.

12-25-2020, 06:32 PM	#3
Chris49066SS Drives: 2010 SS L99 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,634	LS2 style. The LS3 standard style tensioner is too prone to breakage with bigger cams __________________ Previous PB:11.079 @ 122.99mph.. New setup time: TBD The 11.079 pass: https://youtu.be/pz27Zq54t_E Build thread - www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=555371

12-25-2020, 06:52 PM	#4
InFiD3ViL Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS LS3 Swapped A6 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 4,576	^^^Dog bone LS2 for sure. Do it now and never think about it again. I have seen too many failures related to the LS3 tensioner to be comfortable to leave the stock unit in on a cammed engine. We even had a Camaro5 member post about his failure recently. I have seen a couple where the metal spring clip breaks loose and and get wedged between the upper gear and gouges the face of the block/gear. I also saw one get wedged between the face of the cam and upper gear, which was completely baffling as there shouldn't be any clearance there. But I guess at high rpm and banging any spinning parts, anything is possible. Last thing you want is that spring clip floating around your engine smacking into who knows what. Luckily most of the time they end up in the pan with some broken plastic pieces. The only real downside I can see to the LS2 style is that it doesn't put any real tension on the chain like the LS3 style, so it will give the impression that it has slack in it. But it still prevents excessive slap. __________________ 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS LS3 Swapped A6 - GPI LS3 SS1 .647/.638, (224/237, 112 +4, 7º overlap) on CamMotion 8620 core, BTR Platinum .660" Dual Spring kit w/titanium retainers, CHE bronze trunnion upgrade, stock heads milled @ .015, Melling HV 10296 oil pump, TSP 1-7/8" long tube headers (W/Catless Off-road Pipes), Corsa Xtreme 3" Catback, GPI Ported/Rod Mod Intake, Stage 2 Ported Throttle Body, Vararam OTR CAI, Mike Norris Gen 2 catch can + GM 1LE clean side separator, 160º thermostat - Megan Racing adjustable coilovers (lowered 1.75"), MRR M017 10/11" wheels-Tuned by Ryan @ GPI

12-25-2020, 08:21 PM	#6
Silverado60 Drives: 2010 camaro 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Pa Posts: 238	Thanks for the input guys! I tend to agree with what you guys are saying. But I’ve also seen some talk of broken timing chains being the reason GM went with the Ls3 style. Making it quieter for the Cadillac may have also been a reason __________________ Texas speed F-35 cam, rollmaster timing set, melling hp pump, ls2 chain damper, fluid damper 25% under drive, Che rocker bushings, tsp .660 lift valve springs, BBK CAI Amzoil filter with Phastek ww relocation and scoop, Gmpp axle back, Speed engineering 1 7/8" LT's no cats, Peak speed shop ported tb, NGK tr6, MSD wires, Amsoil Zrod wix, heritage grill, 1.25" BMR springs, MRR 228, Nitto Nt05,dyno tuned by complete street performance, elite eng catch can, clean side separator, Hurst shifter, Zl1 addon wickerbill

12-25-2020, 07:31 PM	#5
Neumatic Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS M6 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,448 View My Garage	LS2 dampener for sure. The LS3 tensioner is straight trash.

12-25-2020, 08:39 PM	#7
Chris49066SS Drives: 2010 SS L99 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,634	For a modded LS3/L99, you want the LS2 dampener. OEM planning and building is not the same as modded 5th Gen LS3 and L99s. You can look through hundreds of threads and read why the LS2 dampener is the one you want if you put a cam in. Good luck and happy modding! __________________ Previous PB:11.079 @ 122.99mph.. New setup time: TBD The 11.079 pass: https://youtu.be/pz27Zq54t_E Build thread - www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=555371

12-26-2020, 07:15 AM	#8
rdavis Drives: 2012 SS Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Lubbock Texas Posts: 121	Do you have to remove the oil pump for the install? Looks pretty tight. __________________ 2012 2SS/RS 6speed, Howards asa cam on 113lsa Stainless works LT's, NPP exhaust, Z28 Cai, 3.91 gears. Tuned by Blue Thunder 2 racing Lubbock Texas.

12-26-2020, 09:42 AM	#11
Thunder70 Drives: 2010 ss camaro Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Mercerville N.J. Posts: 42	Ls2 one for sure

12-26-2020, 02:16 PM	#14
GONIF Drives: 73 VETTE ,, 05 2500hd diesel,14 1LE Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: The Left lane PHOENIX AZ Posts: 2,626	What did the cam manufacturer installer/tuner recommend ? How radical is the cam ? __________________ OLD GUY FLYING FAST AND LOW