Just got a 5.3 Tahoe and thinking of installing a small cam (along with pushrods, valve springs, and new seals). At 97k miles, for peace of mind I'll probably swap in a new oil pump at the same time. Should I get a complete timing set or can I get away with just a new chain? Obviously, I need to inspect the gears, but generally the gears hold up way better than the chain, right?

 

At 97,000 miles, no need to change pump. Its a gearator pump. They just don't fail!, unless u have a blow up and metal goes through it. Just swap the chain only. You'll be good!!!

 

I never heard of a gearator pump. After a brief search, I see you probably mean gerotor pump. I've seen tons of these 5.3 engines run well over 200k miles, so they must be tough.

 

Based on motorcycling experience I can never bring myself to install new chain on used sprockets. Besides timing sprockets are not expensive.

 

Just go with the LS2 chain and you should be good. Its beefier. Like $40 from most GM dealerships.

 

I like to replace the timing as a set. Yank sells the set for around $70 shipped.

 

Plenty of oil pumps have failed, and upgrading it while in there already is always a good idea.

 

agreed plenty of oil pumps fail and foor about 100 bucks its def worth the peace of mind. just get a ported ls6 or melling pump and call it it a day

 

Yeah, an oil pump is in the neighborhood of $150-200 depending on which route you go, cheap insurance, and I'd replace the timing set as well. Guess I'm like Darkman but I always replace the sprockets. Seems with motorcycles and ATV's if you replace just the chain, the sprockets wear quicker and it also wears your chain quicker.

 

what would be another option to the LS2 chain, I don't like the slack i've seen with those.

 

When I did the cam in my LS1 GTO, I just replaced the timing chain with a heavier duty LS2 chain, but I had less than 20k mile. With nearly 100k on this 5.3, I'm beginning to lean towards replacing the oil pump and complete timing set. I really don't want to open it back up anytime soon.

 

I like the Katech/IWIS chain sold by Thunder Racing (among others).

http://www.thunderracing.com/shop-by...Chain_349.html

 

The IWIS chain is a lot cheaper at Scoggin Dickey.

Scoggin Dickey also has GM oil pumps with o-ring for $73 and N-Motion roller timing sets for $67.

 

The IWIS chain at Scoggin Dickey is not the Katech version and is not as good as the LS2 chain.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/13825166-post2.html

 

what about rollmaster....?

 

Please don't spread poorly informed hearsay as fact. It is NOT a weak chain, and is not a bottom of the barrel chain in any way shape or form. Stating that it is not as good as the LS2 chain is simply untrue and uninformed. It is a genuine IWIS chain and has been proven in thousands of builds.

It is obviously not the same IWIS chain as the C5-R chain (which we also offer) and has never been advertised as such. It is simply a reliable and affordable option for those who are not in need of a $130 timing chain. Different chains for different needs.

 

I apologize if I misinformed anyone by representing opinion as fact.

On the other hand, I never said the chain was not genuine IWIS, nor did I say it was weak. I did want to make it clear that the two chains being compared were not the same.

 

It all depends if you want to "replace" or "upgrade"
If you cam it, I would get an adjustable chain to be able to degree the cam (advance/retard)