LS1 Timing chain advice
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,289
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From: Central Cal.
To repeat the above- Double roller chains are NOT two separate chains. All pins are shared. One breaks, the whole chain goes south. Absolutely not needed on an LS. They WERE needed on SBCs because the cam also drove the distributor and oil pump, PLUS the friction of flat tappets had to be overcome. The load on an LS chain is far less than on a SBC.
For anyone considering whether or not to use a double roller timing set on their engine just Google "Why use a double roller timing chain" and there you'll find your answers.
Anyone who doesn't think there's any advantage whatsoever to running one obviously believes that a single roller is every bit as strong and can maintain stability even with the largest of valve train components.
Dig a little deeper and find out what top tier engine builders think of double roller timing sets.
Anyone who doesn't think there's any advantage whatsoever to running one obviously believes that a single roller is every bit as strong and can maintain stability even with the largest of valve train components.
Dig a little deeper and find out what top tier engine builders think of double roller timing sets.
Silly argument guys. There’s a time and place for everything including a double chain set on an LS. 99.9% of builds here don’t need them but also most don’t need forged bottom ends either. The LS platform was a very robust design in OEM form and can hold big power as-is. I’m running 510 lb springs in my 434 with a IWIS single. It’s up to the task no problem. I’ve built engines with far more spring pressure than that, on a single chain, without issue. There is math involved in figuring chain choices, not just a guess guys.
And as much stress as the sbc timing set had on it in OEM form, driving the cam, dizzy, oil pump, and fuel pump….it was a single as well, and a very poor single at that. The GM engineers did the math also.
Bottom line here is this…if someone wants to run a double timing set on their LS, who cares? It’s their choice.
And as much stress as the sbc timing set had on it in OEM form, driving the cam, dizzy, oil pump, and fuel pump….it was a single as well, and a very poor single at that. The GM engineers did the math also.
Bottom line here is this…if someone wants to run a double timing set on their LS, who cares? It’s their choice.
I've built plenty of engines with the IWIS single chain and never had any issues spinning them to 7800rpm.
https://briantooleyracing.com/iwis-t...-3sr602ps.html
https://briantooleyracing.com/iwis-t...-3sr602ps.html
I don't recall if the chain was stamped Katech or not but I too purchased mine form them and the little plastic bag had a small white sticker that said Katech C5-R.
What he was saying is that the stock GM gear was acutally better because the sprocket and oil pump gear is all one piece so there's plenty of key to hold it as opposed to the single adjustable that has a sprocket and seperate pump gear. This means less key to engage the timing sprocket which could eventually cause the end of the key or the keyway in the sprocket to wear.
What he was saying is that the stock GM gear was acutally better because the sprocket and oil pump gear is all one piece so there's plenty of key to hold it as opposed to the single adjustable that has a sprocket and seperate pump gear. This means less key to engage the timing sprocket which could eventually cause the end of the key or the keyway in the sprocket to wear.
Last edited by grinder11; Feb 2, 2025 at 08:44 AM.
