I just ordered a Comp Cam 224/230 for my T/A with 1.6 roller rockers, Comp R lifters, hardened pushrods and all other valvetrain necessities. My question is do I really need to replace my timing chain? Is my stocker okay for now at least until I can afford it in a couple of months? I was hoping that I could save the money I would have used for a new timing chain for programming instead, but if it is extrememly important to get a new timing chain then I will but the LT4 extreme duty chain. I have about 74,000 miles on the car as is. Any recommendations/advice??

 

I'm changing my cam aswell and asked the same question a few weeks ago. Everyone said I should change it. So Yes I would change it. I know they are expensive. I have the cam and money for programing but saving for the timing chain.

 

Dont put the cam in till you can afford the chain. Putting a used chain on a new cam is crazy. It has slop in it and your cam timing will be off.

 

i know people who have re-used their stock chains with no problems at all. I guess you can apply the same rule as you would to lifters, if there isn't a lot of extra slack in your stock chain you can go ahead and re-use it. It's always easier to change it out with a new one so you wouldn't have to worry about it in the future, but it is possible to re-use your stock chain and put some good mileage on it...

Just my $.02

 

Since you have a '97, have you thought about doing a double roller chain and electric water pump? ~ same price as an LT4 ED set.

 

So the chain is that important then? Any more opinions, please?

 

I replaced the timing chain on my '93 LT1 vette last week. It had 110K miles and was in remarkably good condition. That said, if you are already pulling all that stuff off it would be very prudent to go ahead and replace it while you are there. If you do all the gaskets and seals as well you won't have to go back in and re do any of that for quite a long time. If you were to put it off for a couple months you'd have to buy new gaskets, coolant, and possibly oil as well so it would cost more in the long run.

 

Best option IMO .

 

Are there any other cheaper options that I could possibly use? By that I mean is the LT4 timing chain the only one available? Are there other cheaper, yet good, timing chains out there? Does anyone know of any? How much would the double roller timing chain be by itself Dave?

 

Go too a local auto part store and ask if you can get a Heavy Duty Timing chain for your car.....i got one at mainauto here in texas for 110 bucks and it is pretty dang strong looking compared to stock......

Michael

 

cmotorsports offers a timing chain that's comparable to the cloyes double roller for aorund $70-$75...I want to say EX-712 but I may be wrong...

 

You have to use an electric water pump with a double roller. The double roller set doesnt have the sproket on the backside of the cam gear that drives the stock water pump.

BTW, I bought the CM double roller set last year. It was under $60.00 (before shipping).

 

With 75k miles I would replace it with a new stock set at the very least, a new stock one is around $70-80 I believe. I went with a Cloyes double roller and a CSI pump, combined they were the same price as the LT4 ED and the Cloyes looked plenty strong. My car only had 57k on it at the time and my stock chain was very loose, I was shocked how much slack it had. I could move it about an inch back and forth, I was very glad I replaced it.

 

Combo sells the Cloyes as well. Brian @ Combo said the Cloyes looked like a better chan than the EX chain that they have...

$79.xx it was.