It might have been good enought for the 96 stock Lt4's but I spoke to a tech rep at Cloyes today over in Ark, his advise was the standard LT1 set was better than what I bought but of course the ED set is better. He helped me to resolve my concern using the ED set without replacing the WP gear sticking outside of the block. They come in two versions, a pot metal one, earlier years and a later model billet steel version. The billet steel version can be identified by holes in the front for oil passages, either 3 or 6, mine has six. The dealer is shipping me the ED set on exchange. The tech did not advise anyone to run the regular limited production LT4 set, it was designed too small with 1/4th size gears, its a joke. Take my advise, his, and the others that posted here to use the ED set. We cant just assume that because it got put on a limited run of 1000+ vetts in 96 that it is ok..simply look at the pics I posted. If I had a LT4 vette it would be my first and fast repair. Thanks for all the replys.

 

Here is a picture link of this current repair, started out as a water pump failure now waiting on the ED LT1/LT4 set to arrive. Its a 97 model, LT1
There are some nice shots of the engine front removal process,

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/for...m/forsaleorbuy

 

The LT1/LT4 extreme duty (ED) set has arrived, man what a difference! I have updated the picture link to compare the Stock LT4 set to the LT1/LT4 ED set and to compare the Stock LT4 set to the Stock LT1 set.

As of mid July-04 dealer list/net on the Stock LT4 parts was $301.21/$184.57
(note the larger discount to net to move the item)

As of mid July-04 dealer list/net on the LT1/LT4 ED set was $294.55/$205.00

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/for...bum?.dir=/fac6

I am amazed the LT4 vettes were not recalled to replace the stock LT4 timing sets, much less that GM continues to sells the timing set without a disclaimer or something.

 

Everything that I have ever read on the LT4 indicates that the web of the LT4 cam sprockets were kept solid to build mass and control some "twist" problems with the LT4 cam. I couldn't quite see all that "mass" with other cams, and did a little machine work on the LT4 ED sprocket:

http://members.aol.com/Fredrick518/Photos/newfront.jpg

 

Hey Fred,
That thing hanging off the front of the crank sprocket, is that some sort of triggering device for the ignition?

 

You've discovered the secret of my 8 LS1 coil ignition system....