Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Best timing chain

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 21, 2009 | 11:35 PM
  #1  
carrsls1_camaro's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: NW INDIANA
Default Best timing chain

What is the best timing chain that fits under the stock cover and no shimming of the oil pump?
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2009 | 11:36 PM
  #2  
need4z's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 273
Likes: 1
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA
Default

A lot of guys agree on the LS2 chain.
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2009 | 01:59 AM
  #3  
01ssreda4's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (96)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Default

Originally Posted by need4z
A lot of guys agree on the LS2 chain.
thats what i run but i think the best is the katech high dollar chain.
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2009 | 08:00 AM
  #4  
vettenuts's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,092
Likes: 13
From: Little Rhody
Default

Top chain is the Cloyes IRL chain made by Renold. It is hand assembled, shot peened and blue printed. Sold as part # 4-194 but hard to find. They do exist though as Cloyes pulled them back since they weren't selling due to price. Here is an excellent link for discussion of this chain: Link

Second, the Katech C5R chain. It is made by JWIS in Germany and is their G 68V-2 chain. Note that JWIS (or IWIS) makes several chains that are 3/8" pitch that will fit, they are not all the same quality (See here).

Third is the LS2 chain, this chain is also made by Renold.

Here are the LS1, Katech C5R and Cloyes IRL chains side by side.

Reply
Old Feb 22, 2009 | 08:21 AM
  #5  
gyrene2003's Avatar
12 Second Club
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,213
Likes: 1
From: Chesapeake va
Default

so where can you get the C5R chain?
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2009 | 09:28 AM
  #6  
vettenuts's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,092
Likes: 13
From: Little Rhody
Default

Katech, and they currently have a 20% off sale.
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2009 | 12:04 PM
  #7  
eamador11's Avatar
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 907
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Default

Originally Posted by carrsls1_camaro
What is the best timing chain that fits under the stock cover and no shimming of the oil pump?
Rollmaster duals are the best, no shimming required. Thats what i have
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2009 | 09:41 PM
  #8  
carrsls1_camaro's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: NW INDIANA
Default

Originally Posted by vettenuts
Top chain is the Cloyes IRL chain made by Renold. It is hand assembled, shot peened and blue printed. Sold as part # 4-194 but hard to find. They do exist though as Cloyes pulled them back since they weren't selling due to price. Here is an excellent link for discussion of this chain: Link

Second, the Katech C5R chain. It is made by JWIS in Germany and is their G 68V-2 chain. Note that JWIS (or IWIS) makes several chains that are 3/8" pitch that will fit, they are not all the same quality (See here).




Third is the LS2 chain, this chain is also made by Renold.

Here are the LS1, Katech C5R and Cloyes IRL chains side by side.


Wow this my friend is exactly what I was looking for very nice post and thank you for taken the time to put this together for me.


Also is it recommended to change out the sprockets also kinda seems like a no brainer but gotta ask?

Last edited by carrsls1_camaro; Feb 22, 2009 at 09:48 PM.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 22, 2009 | 09:52 PM
  #9  
ShevrolayZ28's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,318
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
Default

Yeah, great post vettenuts.

I know I'm not the only one that's installed a cam chain and been a little unhappy with how loose they sometimes fit. What's the deal with that?
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2009 | 09:57 PM
  #10  
uicnick's Avatar
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Default

Has anyone had experience replacing an ls-1 chain with an ls-2 chain, but keeping the cam and crank sprockets? Is this asking for trouble? I mounted my ls-2 chain on my stock ls-1 sprockets and the tension seems perfect, but i'm not sure if the spacing on the teeth is different, which i'm sure would cause problems. Any ideas? Sorry to hijack, but I guess kind of on the same subject.
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2009 | 10:00 PM
  #11  
ShevrolayZ28's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,318
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
Default

Originally Posted by carrsls1_camaro
Wow this my friend is exactly what I was looking for very nice post and thank you for taken the time to put this together for me.


Also is it recommended to change out the sprockets also kinda seems like a no brainer but gotta ask?
I say yes. I know I would never put a nice new chain on a motorcycle with worn sprockets. And wouldn't anyone want to have an adjustable timing set so they can dial in their cam?
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2009 | 10:01 PM
  #12  
ShevrolayZ28's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,318
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
Default

Originally Posted by uicnick
Has anyone had experience replacing an ls-1 chain with an ls-2 chain, but keeping the cam and crank sprockets? Is this asking for trouble? I mounted my ls-2 chain on my stock ls-1 sprockets and the tension seems perfect, but i'm not sure if the spacing on the teeth is different, which i'm sure would cause problems. Any ideas? Sorry to hijack, but I guess kind of on the same subject.
Many people have done just that and been fine. I wouldn't freak out.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:18 AM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE