3 bolt cam gear tensioner compatibility

[CGT]

I have done a couple 3 bolt conversions in the past, while also changing the tensioner 12626407 for dampener 12581276. I have mocked up the three bolt gear with the stock tensioner but the chain felt excessivily tight. I always figured there must be a very slight difference somewhere between the 1 bolt and 3 bolt gears making the dampener necessary when changing to the 3 bolt design. Recently I have seen pictures here and elswhere showing the 3 bolt gear being used with the tensioner assembly. Can anyone comment on this, Jannety, TSP, ADM, etc. What do you guys do when converting?

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by CGT

I have done a couple 3 bolt conversions in the past, while also changing the tensioner 12626407 for dampener 12581276. I have mocked up the three bolt gear with the stock tensioner but the chain felt excessivily tight. I always figured there must be a very slight difference somewhere between the 1 bolt and 3 bolt gears making the dampener necessary when changing to the 3 bolt design. Recently I have seen pictures here and elswhere showing the 3 bolt gear being used with the tensioner assembly. Can anyone comment on this, Jannety, TSP, ADM, etc. What do you guys do when converting?

There are several 3 bolt gears, which one do you have?

[bcguy]

so just to be clear,not to hyjack thread,sorry,do we absulutely have to change the tensioner on the ls3 when doing the cam swap,i heard there was problems with both tensioners failing

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by bcguy

so just to be clear,not to hyjack thread,sorry,do we absulutely have to change the tensioner on the ls3 when doing the cam swap,i heard there was problems with both tensioners failing

No to each his own.

[Go Fast Kid]

Teds comment is on point, to each his own. If you can take a hint from GM Powertrain division, the LS3 and LSA motors all use the same tensioner style part. Those being the most current motors released by GM you should take the hint that those are their newest and best design for the application.

Changing the stock LS3 tensioner to some other style requires removal of the oil on while the motor is in. That project will cause you far more grief than a simple tensioner. Ask anyone who has changed a pan gasket on the C5 .

Good luck.

[PQ]

Originally Posted by bcguy

so just to be clear,not to hyjack thread,sorry,do we absulutely have to change the tensioner on the ls3 when doing the cam swap,i heard there was problems with both tensioners failing

There have been several found broken on simple cam swaps and a few others broken after the single bolt cams broke. But those ones are not necessarily known to be the cause of the failure.

[JDP Tech]

Agreed, each person can choose what they want, both configurations will work, and many will not have any problems.
We always use the 3-bolt cam sprocket, and dampener. Pulling the oil pump off in the car is not very hard to do.

Though it is true the LSA, LS3 and L99 all use the same sprocket and tensioner, the badder boy engines (LS9, LS7, and dry-sump LS3) all use the 3-bolt sprocket and the dampener. When changing the cam in these LS3/L99s, we get similar power to the LS9 and LS7, plus the three bolt design and dampener are more dependable, so why not spend the little bit extra for insurance?

The reason the LSA, LS3, L99, and almost every other V8 engine GM makes (trucks, SUVs, cars, etc) all have the exact same cam sprocket and tensioner, is because it works and is cheaper to do, and thats what they're after. If it was better, why would the premium engines (LS9, LS7, dry sump LS3) be different?

- Jeremy

[Stingr69]

Originally Posted by JDP Tech

Agreed, each person can choose what they want, both configurations will work, and many will not have any problems.
We always use the 3-bolt cam sprocket, and dampener. Pulling the oil pump off in the car is not very hard to do.

Though it is true the LSA, LS3 and L99 all use the same sprocket and tensioner, the badder boy engines (LS9, LS7, and dry-sump LS3) all use the 3-bolt sprocket and the dampener. When changing the cam in these LS3/L99s, we get similar power to the LS9 and LS7, plus the three bolt design and dampener are more dependable, so why not spend the little bit extra for insurance?

The reason the LSA, LS3, L99, and almost every other V8 engine GM makes (trucks, SUVs, cars, etc) all have the exact same cam sprocket and tensioner, is because it works and is cheaper to do, and thats what they're after. If it was better, why would the premium engines (LS9, LS7, dry sump LS3) be different?

- Jeremy

They use the same tensioner on the LS9 as they use in the LS3. I have seen the factory assembly video.

-Mark.

[CGT]

Originally Posted by JANNETTYRACING

There are several 3 bolt gears, which one do you have?

I am using 12586481 gear. I am putting a LS7 cam in my personal car,2011 SS LS3. I have the cam, gaskets, etc. And figure, what the hell. I have more time than money right now. Which dampener or tensioner would you use Ted? Gonna try and knock this out Saturday morning. Thanks for your response.

[CGT]

Originally Posted by JDP Tech

Agreed, each person can choose what they want, both configurations will work, and many will not have any problems.
We always use the 3-bolt cam sprocket, and dampener. Pulling the oil pump off in the car is not very hard to do.

Though it is true the LSA, LS3 and L99 all use the same sprocket and tensioner, the badder boy engines (LS9, LS7, and dry-sump LS3) all use the 3-bolt sprocket and the dampener. When changing the cam in these LS3/L99s, we get similar power to the LS9 and LS7, plus the three bolt design and dampener are more dependable, so why not spend the little bit extra for insurance?

The reason the LSA, LS3, L99, and almost every other V8 engine GM makes (trucks, SUVs, cars, etc) all have the exact same cam sprocket and tensioner, is because it works and is cheaper to do, and thats what they're after. If it was better, why would the premium engines (LS9, LS7, dry sump LS3) be different?

- Jeremy

LS7 is the only current ls that i see using the dampener. LS9, LSA and all LS3's dry and wet sump show using #12626407 Tensioner assy. The dampener definitely has no moving parts to fail, I like that about it for sure. Just wonder why they made the switch.

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by CGT

LS7 is the only current ls that i see using the dampener. LS9, LSA and all LS3's dry and wet sump show using #12626407 Tensioner assy. The dampener definitely has no moving parts to fail, I like that about it for sure. Just wonder why they made the switch.

The Spring loaded tensioner is Preferred method for a timing chain but we have seen a few broken upon disassembly so confidence is only about 90% on them

I like them because they reduce noise that the Knock sensors can pick up and they keep the chain snug all the time which reduces what I will call Snap Tensioning on the chain or Whipping of the chain.

So Again to Each his own.

Ted.

[Bell040]

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...=ls9+tensioner

post #21

[CGT]

Thank you Ted. Never considered the knock sensor thing, seems logical. I think ill give the stock tensioner a whirl. I have the dampener also, if i change my mind. So you have used that three bolt gear 12586481 with the stock tensioner i assume?

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by CGT

Thank you Ted. Never considered the knock sensor thing, seems logical. I think ill give the stock tensioner a whirl. I have the dampener also, if i change my mind. So you have used that three bolt gear 12586481 with the stock tensioner i assume?

That is the correct gear number.