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

sspaul · 12-15-2010, 08:36 PM

is it necessary to change the timing chain tensioner when changing the cam?

thanks
paul

SC2150 · 12-15-2010, 09:15 PM

If you have over 100k miles on the motor I would, otherwise your fine.

sspaul · 12-15-2010, 09:30 PM

thanks i don't even had 12k on the motor.

camaro1 · 12-15-2010, 09:57 PM

many people do swap out to the ls2 style chain dampner as the ls3 style have been know to blow apart

IPS Brandon · 12-16-2010, 08:22 AM

The tensioner is fine for most appliations. Many times with most of the cams on the market, they require a three bolt late model timing sprocket. With a three bolt cam you can purchase a LS7 timing sprocket and reuse your OEM timing chain and tensioner setup (this is the most common solution for most Heads/Cam type applications.) If your seeking more power then it may in fact be a good idea to upgrade to a billet timing set such as JP engineerings which will eliminate the use of the OEM tensioner, and be much more durable.

Regards

sspaul · 12-16-2010, 01:01 PM

how much for the billet timing set?

Sack Rat 2SS · 12-16-2010, 04:35 PM

[QUOTE=sspaul;2641862]is it necessary to change the timing chain tensioner when changing the cam?

If staying with a single bolt cam and cam gear no change needed. However, if you are going with a 3 bolt cam dump the tensioner and use the GM dampner. Just like on the Vette ZR-1 that uses a 3 bolt cam. You can reuse the chain. Go to the Lingenfelter site and you will see what they sell and recommend and install in all their motors using 3 bolt cams. Many shops do not do this because of added labor to lower pan to change out the tensioner to the dampner. Do not cut any corners, do what GM does.

1stGM · 12-17-2010, 12:41 PM

[QUOTE=Sack Rat 2SS;2644451]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sspaul

is it necessary to change the timing chain tensioner when changing the cam?

If staying with a single bolt cam and cam gear no change needed. However, if you are going with a 3 bolt cam dump the tensioner and use the GM dampner. Just like on the Vette ZR-1 that uses a 3 bolt cam. You can reuse the chain. Go to the Lingenfelter site and you will see what they sell and recommend and install in all their motors using 3 bolt cams. Many shops do not do this because of added labor to lower pan to change out the tensioner to the dampner. Do not cut any corners, do what GM does.

So what is the difference in the timing sprocket for the 3 bolt cam versus the single bolt that warrants the use of the ls2 style dampner? Besides the # of bolts, of course. I am going to be installing a 3 bolt cam after the holidays, so I want to be as educated as possible on this.....

Sack Rat 2SS · 12-17-2010, 03:32 PM

The teeth on the 3 bolt cam gear are very slightly different. You have to look very hard to determine every 3rd or 4th tooth are different from gear on one bolt cam gear. The dampner goes with the 3 bolt cam gear, not the tensioner. The kit to do the job properly form LPE Engineering is only $70. I had to be shown this difference by my tuner. Check it out.

1stGM · 12-17-2010, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sack Rat 2SS

The teeth on the 3 bolt cam gear are very slightly different. You have to look very hard to determine every 3rd or 4th tooth are different from gear on one bolt cam gear. The dampner goes with the 3 bolt cam gear, not the tensioner. The kit to do the job properly form LPE Engineering is only $70. I had to be shown this difference by my tuner. Check it out.

thanks for the info. I purchased a 3 bolt cam kit that has the gear, but does not include the dampner. So, if I am understanding this correctly, I can use that cam gear, my factory chain and purchase the LS2 dampner and I will be good to go.....

Sack Rat 2SS · 12-17-2010, 05:07 PM

1stGM - Sounds good. The dampner looks totally different from the tensioner. Are you doing yourself? Good Luck

Irnwkrkev · 12-17-2010, 06:53 PM

I'm in the same boat as I ordered the three bolt gear but not the dampner. After a little searching from Grrrr8.net I found the part # is 12588670 (hope it comes with bolts). I'm gonna try to order it locally from a dealer tommorrow morning.

Irnwkrkev · 12-18-2010, 09:00 AM

Got it ordered this morning from my local dealer for $36 and they said it includes bolts.

1stGM · 12-19-2010, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sack Rat 2SS

1stGM - Sounds good. The dampner looks totally different from the tensioner. Are you doing yourself? Good Luck

Thanks, and yes I will be doing this swap myself... no sweat.... Just doing a lot of reading for pointers....

12-15-2010, 08:36 PM	#1
sspaul Drives: 2010 ss camaro, imperial blue Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: new orleans Posts: 939	timing chain tensioner is it necessary to change the timing chain tensioner when changing the cam? thanks paul __________________ my youtube my facebook www.myspace.com/1djchampagne www.twitter.com/1djchampagne mods: borla long tube headers, borla atak catback, lingenfelter gt-9 cam, ported heads, ecs base kit running 11 psi on top end, 1" bmr drop spring, aam 3.70 gears, ported throttle body, 160* thermorstat, lethal racing tune 750/641 rwhp/rwtq

12-15-2010, 09:30 PM	#3
sspaul Drives: 2010 ss camaro, imperial blue Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: new orleans Posts: 939	thanks i don't even had 12k on the motor. __________________ my youtube my facebook www.myspace.com/1djchampagne www.twitter.com/1djchampagne mods: borla long tube headers, borla atak catback, lingenfelter gt-9 cam, ported heads, ecs base kit running 11 psi on top end, 1" bmr drop spring, aam 3.70 gears, ported throttle body, 160* thermorstat, lethal racing tune 750/641 rwhp/rwtq

12-15-2010, 09:57 PM	#4
camaro1 Drives: 550+RWHP 2010 camaro Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: wisconsin Posts: 1,588	many people do swap out to the ls2 style chain dampner as the ls3 style have been know to blow apart __________________ 415ci stroker, TVS 2300 Magnacharger, cnc heads, cam, yank ss3200 converter, Kooks long tubes, Bwoody true cold air kit, ZL1 Pump, magnaflow 3" cat-back, lowering springs,BMR control arms and tie rod bars, 3.73 gears, diff mounts, RX can, ADM fuel controller

12-16-2010, 01:01 PM	#6
sspaul Drives: 2010 ss camaro, imperial blue Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: new orleans Posts: 939	how much for the billet timing set? __________________ my youtube my facebook www.myspace.com/1djchampagne www.twitter.com/1djchampagne mods: borla long tube headers, borla atak catback, lingenfelter gt-9 cam, ported heads, ecs base kit running 11 psi on top end, 1" bmr drop spring, aam 3.70 gears, ported throttle body, 160* thermorstat, lethal racing tune 750/641 rwhp/rwtq

12-16-2010, 04:35 PM	#7
Sack Rat 2SS Drives: Silver SS/RS, Man 6 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: DFW area, Texas Posts: 884	[QUOTE=sspaul;2641862]is it necessary to change the timing chain tensioner when changing the cam? If staying with a single bolt cam and cam gear no change needed. However, if you are going with a 3 bolt cam dump the tensioner and use the GM dampner. Just like on the Vette ZR-1 that uses a 3 bolt cam. You can reuse the chain. Go to the Lingenfelter site and you will see what they sell and recommend and install in all their motors using 3 bolt cams. Many shops do not do this because of added labor to lower pan to change out the tensioner to the dampner. Do not cut any corners, do what GM does. __________________ Silver 2SS/RS Man/6 CTS-V front 6-Piston Calipers, GM 3.91 Rear Gears

12-15-2010, 09:15 PM	#2
SC2150 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 Camaro RS, RX supercharged Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 6,063	If you have over 100k miles on the motor I would, otherwise your fine.

12-16-2010, 08:22 AM	#5
IPS Brandon Drives: 2010 Camaro SS black Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 907	The tensioner is fine for most appliations. Many times with most of the cams on the market, they require a three bolt late model timing sprocket. With a three bolt cam you can purchase a LS7 timing sprocket and reuse your OEM timing chain and tensioner setup (this is the most common solution for most Heads/Cam type applications.) If your seeking more power then it may in fact be a good idea to upgrade to a billet timing set such as JP engineerings which will eliminate the use of the OEM tensioner, and be much more durable. Regards

12-17-2010, 03:32 PM	#9
Sack Rat 2SS Drives: Silver SS/RS, Man 6 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: DFW area, Texas Posts: 884	The teeth on the 3 bolt cam gear are very slightly different. You have to look very hard to determine every 3rd or 4th tooth are different from gear on one bolt cam gear. The dampner goes with the 3 bolt cam gear, not the tensioner. The kit to do the job properly form LPE Engineering is only $70. I had to be shown this difference by my tuner. Check it out. __________________ Silver 2SS/RS Man/6 CTS-V front 6-Piston Calipers, GM 3.91 Rear Gears

12-17-2010, 05:07 PM	#11
Sack Rat 2SS Drives: Silver SS/RS, Man 6 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: DFW area, Texas Posts: 884	1stGM - Sounds good. The dampner looks totally different from the tensioner. Are you doing yourself? Good Luck __________________ Silver 2SS/RS Man/6 CTS-V front 6-Piston Calipers, GM 3.91 Rear Gears

12-17-2010, 06:53 PM	#12
Irnwkrkev Drives: 2011 SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Miami Posts: 528	I'm in the same boat as I ordered the three bolt gear but not the dampner. After a little searching from Grrrr8.net I found the part # is 12588670 (hope it comes with bolts). I'm gonna try to order it locally from a dealer tommorrow morning.

12-18-2010, 09:00 AM	#13
Irnwkrkev Drives: 2011 SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Miami Posts: 528	Got it ordered this morning from my local dealer for $36 and they said it includes bolts.

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