I am about to build my motor and I need to find the best chain setup that I can. I was all set to buy a Hinson C7R but not sure that's what I want.

2001 LQ4 bored .030 over
Cam Motion 3 bolt cam
LS3 (821) heads
LS3 intake
24x reluctor

After Googling for an hour, it seems there are tons of different chain setups out there. Like:

Rollmaster CS1135

Rollmaster CS1265

Rollmaster CS1136

Rollmaster CS1185


Cloyes 9-3658TX9Z

 

 

I have heard the ls2 chain gets sloppy and mine got real sloppy after just a couple of thousand miles. So not changing the gears I got an iwis German chain. Like night an day. Nice and tight but not too tight. Tighter than the ls2 chain brand new. You cant beat German engineering.

 

Do not use double rollers.
You need the cs1180.

 

I am using the Rollmaster CS1135 in my LQ9 build along with the TrickFlow timing damper kit

 

I love u Andy...

Greets from Germany

 

Hi Austin, I sell the timing Set from Avon Gear for $158.00.
Their SINGLE chain is the strongest of ALL, the gears are Billet, NOT Powdered Metal.

Lance

 

You will want a set with a torrington bearing. It properly spaces the timing gear and takes care of any friction and wear/shavings issues that would normally happen from not having one.

 

how many chain/gearsets have this feature ?

 

All JP PERF/N Motion, Rollmaster, Cloyes aftermarket, manley, and Engine Pro.
The slp is jp perf/n Motion and so is comp cams so they have them also.

None of the factory gears or factory style gears will. like our rpmspeed set doesnt. regular cloyes wont. etc.

 

Can you come tell my 200k mile LQ4 that?

LS2 chain (cloyes) is fine for 95% of builds on this website.

 

If you are looking for a good replacement stock style is fine. Dont take it personal.

If you want whats best, then youll upgrade. Budget and intended use make a difference in what to get, but peace of mind is priceless. I personally run the N Motion set on 1 of my trucks and our rpmspeed one on another. Both are good but the n motion is obviously higher quality and more precise by far.

 

I run the billet JP chain with bearing. It's been great.

 

Timing chain damper and harmonic balancer are probably as important, if not more important, than the chain itself. The strongest chain out there won't survive a high RPM harmonic chain wrap on the lower sprocket and some have broken dual chains. So consider the whole setup before you buy.

 

Good advice here guys.

 

My vote- Cloyes 9‑3658TX3 , you can skip the Z chain but its a plus.

 

Hi Reda4, I agree with you, there is NO thrust/little thrust on the LS engine style camshaft.
Sure the cost of a GM LS-2 timing chain is less than my chain with "pin" oil ports as my cost is $58.00.

I raced with many SBC engines, the Oil Pump Gear was at the back of the camshaft CAUSING directional thrust pulling the Timing Sprocket INTO the block.
AS we know this became a wear area.
The camshaft thrust was increased when I would install Mushroom Tappets.
Again, the reason for a Thrust Bearing.
The SBC camshaft would "float" in the block AND required a Timing Cover Button.

So I ask the "experts" if there is Directional Thrust on the LS-x Camshaft ?

Lance

 

If needle bearings popping out of rockers is an issue, why would anyone want to add another part (torrington) with needle bearings, unless it was absolutely necessary, which it isn't.

 

The cam sprocket torrington is captured, it's impossible for a needle to exit it.

 

I absolutely agree the torrington is superior by design, but as lance states, there isnt much fore and aft on these engines, as evidenced by all the high mileage tear downs that lots of us have done. I recently got to do a c5r chain and you could tell the quality of it by just holding it. However, was it needed over a stock LS2 Cloyes? Likely not. As far as a damper, I have one. However I dont think its needed on drag type engines due to rapid rpm changes, the chain never has a chance to oscillate. If the block is drilled i install them cause they are cheap.