I'm about to put a A&A super charger on my 98 c5 it has 60k miles on the car. I've heard when going super charged you need to replace timing chain and oil pump and put lock tite on cam bolt etc. I'm not doing a cam swap at this time so I'm not really wanting to pull the timing cover off just to do this. How reliable are they? Anyone running stock pump and chain under boost?

This will be a mild build just A&A super charger, long tubes and maybe a meth kit.

 

Well, you are about to add a whole lot of stress to some parts that are 16 years old.

If you don't want to replace the entire timing set, I would at least upgrade the chain to the LS2 chain, and more preferably an IWIS chain or C5R. That LS1 chain is much weaker than the newer LS chains that are offered.

As for the oil pump, you are about to add more stress, more power, and more heat. I would upgrade the to a high pressure pump to ensure that things stay properly lubricated.

$200 in a new chain and pump can save you $4000 from having to replace the motor.

 

As these superchargers require an oil line, it's a good idea to use a higher flow oil pump.

I don't like how the A&A kit taps the oil galley BEFORE it gets to the oil filter. It sends un-filtered oil to the supercharger.

 

Does the ECS use a oil line like the A&A kit?

I was already planning to do a rocker arm turnin upgrade and new springs. I'll add a new oil pump and timing set to the list as well. What about the stock lifters push rods and cam are they good to go?

And what's a good oil pump?

 

I can't tell what their oiling scheme is, the installation instructions don't mention any oiling lines or anything. The ECS units might be self oiled.

I really like these blueprinted and coated oil pumps: http://stores.precisionoilpumps.com/chevy-ls1-ls6/

 

if you're removing springs and rockers, budget $100 for new hardened pushrods while you're in there

 

Budget, what's that lol. Do I need a high volume pump?

I may just save up and do a cam kit while I'm at it. I really don't want to replace everything but the cam. I'm considering doing just heads and cam etc after pricing this super charger build out lol

 

That sounds like it's dependent on the head unit used. The A&A kits I've installed used Procharger units that had self contained oiling and did not tap into the engine oil supply.

 

I had a look at the A&A unit listed for the C5 and it uses the engine's oil.

 

I see guys all over the net running the A&A kit on stock block ls1s i know all of them cant be replacing the oil pump timing chain etc. What gives? Looks like most of the stock ls1 are making 500RWHP with this kit. Add meth injection and some long tubes with a good tune should be 550RWHP of so maybe more.

I have to be honest im thinking about running the stock pump and chain im only shooting for 8psi of boost or so and 500RWHP. Worse case i blow up a stock ls1 and go to junk yard and pull one for $1000 or so. I think a ring land would give out before the stock chain or pump though. This is not my DD btw just a hobby for me. Trying to go fast on a budget if thats even possible.

 

Personally, I might consider staying stock-up to about a 15~20,000 mile motor. But yours has 60K on it. If it was me doing this mod with that mileage, I'd be looking to beef up a few things.

As you say others are doing this with otherwise stock motors, bully for them and I'd consider them somewhat lucky. You might be just as lucky-or maybe you'll be that unlucky one.

 

I've found that what other people appear to be getting away with and what they are actually getting away with are two different things. You have two types of people that you hear the most from on these forums: the ones who break **** immediately or the ones who boast about pushing stupid amounts of power through factory equipment. The thing is that the latter group of people never tend to post up when their **** eventually breaks.

Personally, I think you are being foolish in not upgrading the pump and chain, but it isn't my motor. You may be fine, you may not be. You seem to be okay with either result, so happy motoring and the best of luck.

 

Ok I'm going to upgrade the oil pump to a ls4 pump and timing set. Going to do a blower cam kit from Brian tooley so everything will be new except the bottom end and lifters.

What about the stock lifters? Should I replace them as well and replace head gaskets with ls9 ones?