Why are earlier LT1 timing sets cheaper than 95+?
 

I have been looking at prices for everything included in a head and cam install and was looking in summit and they have a lunati timing set for like $110 when there is a gm performance one for the 95-97 lt1 for $245. I know the pin on the cam on the 95+ lt1 is the difference, but would this lunati set be a good choice for my car? If not any other ideas?

Re: Why are earlier LT1 timing sets cheaper than 95+?
 

The Lunati is a "link belt" chain - not a roller like the Extreme duty chain. Unless you want to do the opti conversion and go with a later model chain set, just stick with the stock GM chain set - For a stock piece, it's pretty heavy duty.

Re: Why are earlier LT1 timing sets cheaper than 95+?
 

So the stock piece will be good enough for around 400 rwhp? Would there be an advantage of going to the newer design of the opti?

Re: Why are earlier LT1 timing sets cheaper than 95+?
 

I've seen people push a lot more than 400rwhp with the stock chain.

The problem I've seen with the stock chain is that it stretches quite a bit over time. I originally replaced my stock chain with another stock chain. I then ran it for about 4 years, but last year when I went to do a cam change, I noticed that it had stretched and had started to wear the lead side of the teeth on the crank gear.

IMO Lunati is not any better than the stock chain (some people say it's not as good as the stocker), so at least for me, the only option for a better chain set was to do the vented opti converstion. You then get the option of using something like the Extreme duty set, or going with an electric water pump and double roller set. I went with the double roller and the electric w/p, to free up a little more hp.

My advise - take a look at you existing chain set and see how it's held-up. Then decide which way you want to go, based on your findings, your budget, and your comfort level...

Re: Why are earlier LT1 timing sets cheaper than 95+?
 

The stock chain and lower sproket is the same chain that GM has used in every small block since probably the creation of the small block. Its an ok chain it does stretch a bit but I've see double row cloyes stretch just as much. Inspect your upper sproket for wear. If not wear patterns are visiable from the chain teeth go to the store and buy yourself a good replacement for a mid eighties Caprice with a 305 or 350 in it. toss the upper sprocket in the new kit and enjoy the savings. A good carquest timing chain replacement set for the caprice is around $20 and your not getting any better chain than if you spend the $150+ on the stock replacement chain set for an lt1. Its the upper sproket that makes up the difference in price.

I have my 160,000 mile upper sproket and the carquest chain and lower sproket on my 383 right now and everything is good. When I was on the stock shortblock and 150 shot of nitrous I replaced the chain the same way, that was at 130,000 miles. 383 went in at 150,000. In the 20,000 miles the chain stretched a little but nothing as signifaicant as the 130,000 mile chain from the factory.