LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

timing troubles

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 19, 2005 | 09:51 PM
  #1  
bansheeracer33572's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: apollo beach florida
Default timing troubles

hey guys im almost done with project banshee, i need some help on how to correctly time the optispark on my formula, im open to any and all suggestions about timing and such...i also am looking to install a full on msd ignition system but im cerious as to what equipment i need .
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2005 | 10:39 PM
  #2  
brandboZ28's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 667
Likes: 3
From: Tallahassee Fl
Default

Make sure youre timing chain is intalled dot to dot and the timing on the distibuter(opti) is just about fool proof. It can really only go on one way correctly. What year is your car? 92-94 LT1's have a splined driveshaft that goes from the middle of the cam gear to the back of the opti. 95-97's are driven by the cam dowel pin that goes through the cam sproket and into the back of the opti.
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2005 | 10:18 AM
  #3  
dhdenney's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (53)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
From: Monticello, Kentucky
Default

What year and what is the extent of your mods?
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2005 | 08:58 PM
  #4  
bansheeracer33572's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: apollo beach florida
Default formula

its a 1994 firebird formula banshee edition. it was timedwhen the engine was put to gether,. can the harmonic balancer hub being put on at tdc have any thing to do with it only backfireing and not turning over.
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2005 | 10:45 PM
  #5  
dhdenney's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (53)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
From: Monticello, Kentucky
Default

If it was timed when you put the engine back together, then why is it now out of time? Did you move the rotating assembly with the opti off? It is definitely out of time if so. With a 94, put your spline/key at the 9:00 position. Make sure you are on the compression stroke (#1 cyl at TDC). Have a friend move the crank around while you hold your thumb over the plug hole on #1. When you feel compression, make sure your key is at 9:00 and then you're timed, bolt up and go!
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2005 | 06:21 PM
  #6  
bansheeracer33572's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: apollo beach florida
Default

ok i was at school and i took the opti off and set the opti on tdc but im not exactly sure of what is there to match up, the car only backfires and dosent crank. if u have any more ideas please let me Know...thans
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2005 | 03:02 PM
  #7  
dhdenney's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (53)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
From: Monticello, Kentucky
Default

Originally Posted by bansheeracer33572
ok i was at school and i took the opti off and set the opti on tdc but im not exactly sure of what is there to match up, the car only backfires and dosent crank. if u have any more ideas please let me Know...thans
You don't have it timed right. Trust me I know. Take the shaft out of the opti and roll it around between your thumb and index finger. Look closely and you will see a wide spot unlike the rest of the spline pattern. This is your key/slot/whatever. Crawl under the car and look right up to the hole as if you were looking through a key hole. You will see the slot where this slides in. Now follow the procedure I described, #1 at TDC, the slot at 9:00. Then you bolt up and you're ready to rock.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2005 | 03:09 PM
  #8  
brandboZ28's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 667
Likes: 3
From: Tallahassee Fl
Default

Originally Posted by dhdenney
You don't have it timed right. Trust me I know. Take the shaft out of the opti and roll it around between your thumb and index finger. Look closely and you will see a wide spot unlike the rest of the spline pattern. This is your key/slot/whatever. Crawl under the car and look right up to the hole as if you were looking through a key hole. You will see the slot where this slides in. Now follow the procedure I described, #1 at TDC, the slot at 9:00. Then you bolt up and you're ready to rock.
To add to this, if the timing chain wasnt installed dot to dot, he could "time" the opti correctly 1000 times and it still wouldnt be right. Id start with the with the opti driveshaft and then if thats alright, Id look into the timing chain being installed correctly.

EDIT---but, if he does what you said and #1 is at TDC and the slot isnt at 9 o'clock, then he'd know its the chain installed correctly so youre right. I like to do things the hard way. The more work the better.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:38 PM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-04 18:13:20


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE