96silverram

iTrader: (12)

Maybe this question has been posed before, but I don't remember it. I was thinking last night about the billet timing cover that EFI offers and wondered if they have ever considered building a two piece billet cover for the LT1. It sure would make it so much easier to change out cam profiles. Just a thought, anyone is welcome to comment, but I hope EFI connection will visit and provide some input on this subject.

Thanks

94LTZ

iTrader: (5)

As much as I would love to see that, I doubt there is enough of a market to justify it.

BP Automotive

iTrader: (3)

I am sure Mike will chime in. As stated above there probably is not enough demand for such an item. Especially when a custom CNC piece like that would most likely cost well over $300.

Not saying that it is not a great idea, it just boils down to not enough demand.

96lt1m6

iTrader: (31)

That would be VERY good as an option for a little extra cash. Would make cam swaps roughly .5 hours quicker..
These covers exist for older Sm and bb chevys and Ls base

leadfoot4

iTrader: (1)

I would think, given the accuracy needed in lining up the crank seal, Optispark seal, and water pump drive, it would be almost impossible to make a multi piece cover that would properly line everything up. Keep in mind, with the standard SBC, the only thing that relies on the timing cover for alignment is the crank seal.....



Then there's the limited market, and potential costs.

94LTZ

iTrader: (5)

In all honesty if you have access to a machine shop and a good fabricator you could probably put one together.

S10Wildside

There's not much margin in making a billet timing cover at $350-400 each. Our cost for the block of aluminum alone is $100. Add to that a full day of machine time, someone to watch the machine, replacement tooling, fixtures (and fixture service), anodize, and so on. A two-piece cover will require an additional piece of aluminum, more fixtures, more tooling, more machine time, a gasket (that doesn't exist), and so on.

I think the show-stopper may be the crank sensor boss. The front of the cover would have to be removed all the way down through the crank sensor boss. It may not be possible to separate the timing cover...I'd have to review our solid model.

If we had a commitment of maybe 10 timing covers at $450-$500 each, we could look into it.

S10Wildside

We could separate the cover cleanly. The flange would have to be a little wider, but that's no biggie. We could laser-cut a new gasket for the application.

96lt1m6

iTrader: (31)

leadfoot4

iTrader: (1)

That's a good illustration. However, are we assume to that an electric water pump is intended for this application?

Puck

iTrader: (17)

I am in the market for a new timing cover, and was already going with a billet one by either you or TPiS.

I would pay more for that option.

S10Wildside

Yes. Our new timing cover with cam sensor boss requires our double row timing set with 1x cam signal. No aftermarket double row timing set has provision to drive the upper LT1 water pump gear.

S10Wildside

Aaron had a little time to brainstorm while running the mill today, so he came up with this idea.



We are not so sure the cam sprocket will have clearance to be removed. We could move the face of the timing cover away from the engine for additional clearance. The LT1 water pump provides generous clearance for this.

BP Automotive

iTrader: (3)

This illustration is exactly what I was thinking when he mentioned it. Hopefully it will pan out, there are probably a lot of members out there that would be looking for one of these. I have the Edelbrock two piece cover on my C5, and if this one makes it to the market I will have one.

Puck

iTrader: (17)

That is exactly what I was thinking, except I have the original 24x setup, not the new one.

Looks good, I'll be keeping my eye on this.

96silverram

iTrader: (12)

S10 Wildside, This is exactly what I had in mind! I'm very interested in this two piece cover. Hopefully we can generate enough interest to make sense of it for all parties (buyer & seller). I for one would certainly pay for this item. I'm looking to upgrade my current GenIII optispark, Delteq, and MSD twin coils setup. I'm really wanting to move into your 24x setup and would like to have this two piece billet timing cover option.

I will be watching this closely.

PS: Also on a side note, would I be able to run a double roller with a setup like what we are discussing?

Fastbird93

iTrader: (10)

Wow. If that gets put into production, imagine how many oil pan gaskets are going to be saved. Good work guys.

bowtiedad_z28

iTrader: (4)

This sure would make it a little easier to do cam swaps and as ^^ ,save pan gaskets.

96silverram

iTrader: (12)

Agreed,


Come on guys, lets get some movement on this idea.

96lt1m6

iTrader: (31)

Im in for a 2pc.cover