Could someone educate me on why a gear drive will not work on late model LT-1's? Or is it possible to do a few modifications to "adapt" a gear drive to the LT-1? Any input will be greatly appreciated.

Kelsey

 

There is no water pump gear or distributor gear on most of the gears I have seen. also some modification may need to be made to the timing cover as well. It is possible to run though with a complete DIS and an electric water pump.

 

What is a complete DIS?

 

You'll have knock retard from hell caused from the gear noise.

 

Basically a new computer system and coils that won't be pissed you had to ditch the opti spark cause of the gear

 

I can't remember the name, but I believe one of the board memebers did put a gear drive on his lt1, but then took it out due to false knock problems.

If you werent concerned about the KS, then it looks to be pretty much the same setup as a double roller, cept you'd have to grind more off the inside face of the timing cover to clear the buttons on the 2 center gears (assuming you can grind enough to clear the buttons - otherwise you're probably scrwd). The vented opti drive shouldnt be a problem though - all the right holes there - at least on Pete Jackson 350-91C and a few others I've looked at. And an electric water pump eliminates the need for the water pump drive gear.

Of course ED sets or Double roller conversions would be cheaper in the long run though, perform damn well, and dont have the false knock issues.

 

Unless you want to sound like you have a wannabe blower, don't waste your time or money.

Check out my friends Mustang...damnit nevermind, I took the videos down. IT is LOUD though.

 

Well, the only upside I see would be the lack of chain strech...

BTW, the one I mentioned is the PJ "quite" gear drives. I wouldnt want the fake blower rep either

 

Thanks for all of the input. I am not at all fond of a "blower" whine, I was just wondering if it were feasible or worth doing it, but obviously it is not worth headache, just go with a double roller or extreme duty. Thanks again for all the input!

Kelsey

 

Here's a link to a page by Dave Wendland (DaveW 396LT1). He did the Pete Jackson gear drive, ground the crap out of the timing cover to fit it in, did the electric water pump, installed an Electromotive SDI/Opti-Eliminator, had the obvious problems with the knock sensor, couldn't stand the excessive noise, and ditched the whole setup.

Click on "My 94 Firbird Formula" and scroll down to 1999 (intalled) and 2000 (removed).

http://www.dw-zone.com/

 

see a lot of whining about excessive noise, it's why you use Pete Jacksons Silent Driver gear drive, there is hardly any noise at all. Anyone with a little mechanical aptitude can install these, you don't "have" to ditch the crank position, just reposition it forward of the crank about an 1/8" inch, which is the additional gear thickness over stock. Crank shear pin has to be longer, $1.00 at Autozone, Knock Sensor tuned to detect zero knock, pretty 101 stuff.