Generation IV Internal Engine - Beware stock LS3 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.

I'm putting a tensioner back onto my L92/L99 after the rebuild is finished.

This issue has been addressed here before:

http://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iv-internal-engine/1402566-ls2-timing-chain-damper-tensioner.html

I'm putting a tensioner back onto my L92/L99 after the rebuild is finished.

This issue has been addressed here before:

http://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iv-internal-engine/1402566-ls2-timing-chain-damper-tensioner.html

After reading that, I'm just not seeing a resolution per se.....other than don't use a double row chain with one?

Is a tensioner even needed? I put an aftermarket double roller on mine and its nice and tight and see no need for a tensioner.

Not needed, but during sustained or repeated high rpm runs, the timing chain can slap around and cause major catastrophic failure if it breaks. I chose the ls2 dampner to avoid the hit or miss on the ls3 piece.

Just ran across this enginebuilder article that sums it up. If you're using the newer single bolt or 4X cam gears, you should be running the new tensioner for the chain slack and asymmetric teeth..

http://www.enginebuildermag.com/Article/98616/rebuilding_gms_48_53_and_60l_gen_iv_engine.aspx

For swaps back to older or aftermarket cam/timing setups, the LS2 separator can be used.

My VVT engine will have the LS3 tensioner and a Katech C5R chain on the stock cam gear/phaser.

Just ran across this enginebuilder article that sums it up. If you're using the newer single bolt or 4X cam gears, you should be running the new tensioner for the chain slack and asymmetric teeth..

http://www.enginebuildermag.com/Article/98616/rebuilding_gms_48_53_and_60l_gen_iv_engine.aspx

For swaps back to older or aftermarket cam/timing setups, the LS2 separator can be used.

My VVT engine will have the LS3 tensioner and a Katech C5R chain on the stock cam gear/phaser.


You're crazy.

The stock LS3 tensioner is garbage. So many have broken I can not believe it hasnt been recalled.

My tuner wouldnt even install them. He also said that almost half of all the ls3 cars he has had apart have had a broken tensioner.

The only way I wold run it is on a completely stock car under full factor warranty. You are really asking for a problem when the mods begin....and then you have no warranty. Dont do it....

When I put a cam in my LS3 in my GXP that wonderful tensioner was broken on mine too and had to fish out it from the oil pan. LS2 one is on her now. Car had about 9,000 miles on her too. Bad design....

Just ran across this enginebuilder article that sums it up. If you're using the newer single bolt or 4X cam gears, you should be running the new tensioner for the chain slack and asymmetric teeth..


Why listen to an article in a magazine as gospel? same goes for info on boards, without actual experience........I'd do more research

I don't own or have built an LS3, but looks like the tensioner has failed for some in this small thread

My Corvette GS dry sump LS3 has a LS2 style chain guide on it. It was a virgin 2K mile motor. I think the tensioners are on the VVT motors and not the others.

Well I can tell you on my LS3 motor did not have the LS2 one on it until I installed it. The new LS3 Camaro's I have installed cams in did not have the LS2 in them either.

Hmmmmm, sounds like the tensioner problem would be with motors running VVT. That is what I will be running and I will ask Texas Speed about the problem when I buy their kit. Also the phase limiter.

The LS3 tensioner is garbage. We throw all of them into the trash. Get replaced with a C5R timing chain and LS2 dampner.

I'm 99% sure my LS3 tensioner broke and is currently residing in my oil pan.

I haven't pulled the pan yet to confirm but I already went ahead and ordered the LS2 dampener to replace it.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/burrhos/1bc5c026.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/burrhos/f34ba46c.jpg

Beware is right. Approx 10k miles on this one

Beware is right. Approx 10k miles on this one

What damper are you running? What timing chain?

Stock L92 tensioner with a powerbond UD pulley and an IWIS single chain. Lucky I caught it it must have just happedn the pastuc was still in place that you see in the pic, the metal tab is in the pan somewhere. Im not pulling to engine I have too much going on so it might just live in there unless i can fish it out through the timing cover opening. Im super pissed that i messed up my phaser though its the down time i cant afford. Picking up my new project car tomorrow so im pissed about that.

Stock L92 tensioner with a powerbond UD pulley and an IWIS single chain. Lucky I caught it it must have just happedn the pastuc was still in place that you see in the pic, the metal tab is in the pan somewhere. Im not pulling to engine I have too much going on so it might just live in there unless i can fish it out through the timing cover opening. Im super pissed that i messed up my phaser though its the down time i cant afford. Picking up my new project car tomorrow so im pissed about that.

That sucks man. There's many reports of the UD pulleys contributing to the
tensioners failing..

I havent really been researching but good bad or otherwise i offer up my experiences for others. The thing ran great you would never know I just thought while I was digging into it id give her the once over and I found it broken.

LS2 dampner going in