Why is the LS2 chain recommended over an LS1 chain, or is it just that they don't make the LS1 chains any more? If I buy one, is it just a case of swapping the chains over, or would I have to change/modify anything else?

 

Its a little beefier and its a direct replacement.

 

Nope, I believe the LS2 chain is the replacement chain for all LS motors nowadays.

 

Where is a good place to get one from, and how much? I'll need to get it shipped to the UK, unfortunately...

 

The LS2 chain is much beefier than the LS1/6 chain and will work in almost all applications. It's well worth the price and is a direct replacement.

 

yes, i think the part numbers just point to the ls2 as the new chain for all motors

 

The LS2 chain is beefer then the earlier chains

 

Picture is worth a thousand words

http://www.texas-speed.com/shop/item...d=620&catid=53

 

alot stronger than the stock ls1 chains and thicker . and cheaper than most aftermarket chains.

 

I'll try and get one the next time I am over in the States... thanks, guys

 

SDPC has them for like $30. I'm sure they can get it to you.

 

That's great... is there a Howto somewhere that will tell me what to do - LS1Howto.com shows how to get to a stage that exposes the timing chain (with the oil pump swap) but not how to remove the chain itself, or is it pretty straightforward?

 

its pretty straightforward.
when you remove the 3 bolts holding the upper gear to the cam, you can lower the gear down, and then unhook the chain.

assuming the oilpump is off, then you can just slide it forward, and off the crank. install is the reverse.... just remember to lineup the dots..

 

How much pressure does it take to turn the cam? What risk is there of knocking stuff out of alignment... you mention lining the dots up, but which dots do you mean?

 

On the gears, theres 1 dot on each one. Make sure the one on the bottom lines up directly with the one on the top gear. (the top dot should be at the bottom, and the bottom one should be at the top, as close as you can get to each other).

Shamelessly ganked from LS1Howto.com:

 

That's great, thanks - I suppose I put the crank bolt back in to turn the engine, do I? It looks as if I'd have to completely remove the oil pump to swap the chain - is that correct? That's a PITA, but if it stops my engine eating itself, then que sera sera...

 

Thinking back to what the guy who did mine with me did, I believe he did put the OLD bolt back in to turn it over. And yes, to do the chain, the pump comes off. Make sure you get a new O-ring for it before you do it, and secondly, make sure that ****** stays in the groove and DOES NOT PINCH. You will lose lots of oil pressure due to that.

 

So I'll need a new crank bolt, new O-ring as well as the chain... thanks for the tip, though...

 

Putting a new chain on worn sprockets is not the best situation.

I know lots of people do it and all seems well, but they wear together as a set and should be replaced as a set IMO.

 

Here is a pic of a LS1 Vs the LS2