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

cam? or not?

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Old Apr 24, 2007 | 07:16 PM
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Default cam? or not?

ok today i took off my water pump and opti out! and im goin to replace the timing chain! now my question is this!!! should i cam or not??? i have a pretty much stock car but a few bolt ons! im lookin to install 3.73s and full bolt ons! includin a pair of drag radials...should i cam???????????? wut cam???? and wut power should i make!! thanks !
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Old Apr 24, 2007 | 07:42 PM
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It depends. What rockers and spring you have on it?
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Old Apr 24, 2007 | 09:49 PM
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they are stock for now..but will do all supporting mods to get the best out of it
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Old Apr 24, 2007 | 10:02 PM
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Cam it....stomp on those LS1's, and sound good doing it.....
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Old Apr 24, 2007 | 10:08 PM
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I really fail to grasp why so many people worry about the timing chain. REALITY is that the bottomend bearings should be of much greater concern. People actually have those wear out and fail. People do NOT have that problem with the timing chain.

You can cam it if you like but springs and rockers are REQUIRED at the time of install. I also suggest you do better research on this than you did on the chain.
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Old Apr 24, 2007 | 10:27 PM
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yea u might be right...i was goin to get springs and rockers if i were to cam it...i want full bolt on and cam to hit mid 11s or even low 11s on nitrous! wut u think? of course weight loss, suspension and good traction is for sure!
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Old Apr 24, 2007 | 10:33 PM
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[QUOTE=96capricemgr]I really fail to grasp why so many people worry about the timing chain. [QUOTE]Im not sure were you get your information, and im not trying to be mean but the gm suggested service interval on a timing chain is 75000 miles. Also look at it like this. Chain replacement is preventitive were as a crank bearing is not.
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Old Apr 24, 2007 | 11:36 PM
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I went with a CSR electric pump, cloyes double roller timing set and the hot cam kit...I could tell a big seat of the pants difference....throw some nitrous on it and you will be in the elevens(stall, stickies).....however....if I had it to do over I would have got with an LE1 set up.....IMHO
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Old Apr 24, 2007 | 11:42 PM
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I say go for it. I want ot cam mine, but am still in the process of finding the right one! I want to make HP, and have a lope to go with it.
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Old Apr 25, 2007 | 12:03 AM
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basically..do you heads and cam at the same time
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Old Apr 25, 2007 | 01:48 AM
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Josh3111, who sells the LE1 setup?
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Old Apr 25, 2007 | 03:23 PM
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u can find that info at www.eportworks.com he has a few setups for lt1s to choose from.
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Old Apr 25, 2007 | 06:25 PM
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[QUOTE=96slow6][QUOTE=96capricemgr]I really fail to grasp why so many people worry about the timing chain.
Im not sure were you get your information, and im not trying to be mean but the gm suggested service interval on a timing chain is 75000 miles. Also look at it like this. Chain replacement is preventitive were as a crank bearing is not.

Where are you getting that info .
Even timing belts for the engines that use them are usually speced for a 60-100K interval. I have never heard of a specified interval for a chain in any vehicle though there may be some out there.
Closest info I can find in my two LT1 vehicle owners manuals I have right at this desk to what you are saying is "60K mile inspect accessory drive belt", you do know the cam is not an accessory right?

Maybe some service writter took advantage of you or something?
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Old Apr 25, 2007 | 07:13 PM
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[QUOTE=96capricemgr][QUOTE=96slow6]
Originally Posted by 96capricemgr
I really fail to grasp why so many people worry about the timing chain.


Where are you getting that info .
Even timing belts for the engines that use them are usually speced for a 60-100K interval. I have never heard of a specified interval for a chain in any vehicle though there may be some out there.
Closest info I can find in my two LT1 vehicle owners manuals I have right at this desk to what you are saying is "60K mile inspect accessory drive belt", you do know the cam is not an accessory right?

Maybe some service writter took advantage of you or something?
OK how about this. You dont assume im a stupid noob and i wont reply like you are. Deal. Now were i get my info is this wonderful Gm service manual i have sitting in front of me. Wich refers me to the ac delco product service interval manual sitting next to it. Every pushrod and sohc motor gm has in here states that 60,000 miles is the recomended interval for timing chains, belts, and tensioners. The only exception i can find is a 3 cylinder geo that has an interval of 100k. Yes this is only recomended but wh push something than could possibly destroy your engine, when it is cheap and you are right there to do it.
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Old Apr 25, 2007 | 08:43 PM
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I have the Helms Factory Service Manual for the 1995 Caprice/Impala/Roadmaster and can find no evidence of a timing chain replacement interval. I think that a better information source than some one size fits NONE book printed by a parts company.

You are the ONLY person I have ever seen claim that GM put a interval on the timing chain, seen others say they thought it a good idea to change and such but nobody else has claimed what you have.

You are wrong, I don't care about some AC Delco book, they are nothing but a parts company.
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Old Apr 25, 2007 | 08:54 PM
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Just to be clear, if changing a a cam then yeah change the chain too but it is a complete waste of time to change a chain "just because".

I was looking for more info and found that GM's new 100K mile warranty covers timing chains, and covers timing belts up till the first scheduled maintenance interval. That means that if there was a recommended interval for the timing chain it would be over 100K otherwise like the belt it would only be covered till the first scheduled change. What would they know though they only built the cars and have to worry about their wallet on the warranty work.
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Old Apr 25, 2007 | 09:31 PM
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Originally Posted by 96capricemgr
I have the Helms Factory Service Manual for the 1995 Caprice/Impala/Roadmaster and can find no evidence of a timing chain replacement interval. I think that a better information source than some one size fits NONE book printed by a parts company.

You are the ONLY person I have ever seen claim that GM put a interval on the timing chain, seen others say they thought it a good idea to change and such but nobody else has claimed what you have.

You are wrong, I don't care about some AC Delco book, they are nothing but a parts company.
You know what you are right. WTF would i know? Right. You are obviously a better web mechanic then I am.
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Old Apr 25, 2007 | 09:41 PM
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gay....
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Old Apr 25, 2007 | 09:59 PM
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Not worth agueing over. And its not on the thread topic.
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Old Apr 25, 2007 | 11:45 PM
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i agree, a chain is not like a belt. ive never heard of a chain breaking, but for 20 bucks and 15 min of work its worth it if the motors apart. im rebuilding mine so it wouldnt make much sense to cheap out to save 20 when i have a motor sitting on the stand. but no i wouldnt pull the opti and waterpump while in the car just to change the chain. more trouble than its worth
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