We use cloyes vernier adjst not masive power but we are aspirated

Is it the chain or the gears you are killing ?

In the mix have you had the cloyed Z chain or just the std iwis / std cloyes

 

What are you running for a harmonic damper? How long are the chains lasting?

 

The problem is most likely the wrong damper, that will hurt the chains.

Kurt

 

Hey Kurt, Knowing what a poly chain cog belt will hold for power and after seeing how quickly detonation will rip it to shit, I gotta ask, if it's destructive to timing chains in a similar fashion.

 

Kurt, wouldn't the aluminum blocks moving cause the chain to stretch some also? So when you check it cold it seems looser than it would be running while hot? Not sure if the OP uses a aluminum block, but thats what I have thought about the "loose" chain in the ls stuff.

 

I will second the harmonics/balancer as the root cause. All those chains can't be junk.
Most chain failures in lower power stuff can get traced back to a lousy underdrive balancer.
Maybe your balancer setup needs a tweak?
Can you log the cam/crank signal relationship to see if it gets erratic at a certain rpm? I know you can with BS3.
That would reveal a harmonic issue.

 

I run an ATI balancer on my good engine, these issues are on a few different engines but it just seems very common. All Iron blocks, mine is an LSX.

 

With a big dollar high HP engine, especially LS, why scrimp on a wet sump system and timing chain? The oiling on an LS is already problematic.

 

How long are the chains lasting before you're having replacing them?

 

Where did you buy the damper from? How many runs on the damper?

Kurt

 

I was gona ask if your running a ASP. thought things kill chains

 

hmm debating wich chain to go with ....thinking the cloyes -z chain also

 

Sounds like you've spent a lot of money. Have your ATI rebuilt and take it from there.

 

We bought a new ati balancer this year that they spec'd out for our combo. Chain life has been MUCH better!!! Kurt was 100% right it was all about the balancer.

 

what damper did you have and what one did they spec out for you? my ati damper is over 4 years old, maybe its time for mine to get rebuilt

 

I agree having them spec it out. The rubber in it needs to match the usage.

Tim

 

Kurt what do you consider two years of usage. Mine has 100 passes and 3500 miles.

Tim

 

That does not seem like a bunch of passes, but if it's over two years I would still change them. The ring kit is normally under 50 dollars and the rubber deteriorates over time, so I would swap them often. When they get bad the timing chain normally shows damage first, but at that point the crank is taking abuse.

Kurt

 

i just called ati. they said for a street strip car 1200 crank hp 7200rpm every 5 years

 

Guys also say you can run synthetic oil in your race car for 5000 miles..... I would listen to a guy like Kurt and for the very small investment would likely rebuild it every 2 years or so if it sees frequent beatings.

 

im just repeating what i was told. but kurt is a hard person to ignore. good thing ati is local to me.

 

You might be right at 1200hp on street strip car, I was thinking more about 1500hp with more strip than street like the original post. When I get one back I change the rings because cost is low and it makes me feel better. When you take them apart you will see some with rubber powder between the rings, some don't show any wear.
I do think everybody drives like me, that could be the problem!!

Kurt