cam chain

[500bhp]

Anyone had a cam chain replaced on a 4.5, and at what mileage???

Is it worth going for the RR upgrade if the engine is coming out.

Currently on 53k mileage.

Advice/comments please

[simonsparrow]

TVR Power told me they replace chains on any engines they work on over 40k miles.

If your car has aircon, it can only be done when the engine is out, so sounds like its worth doing it you're getting other work done too.

[350matt]

any ideas what the cam chain is off? vauxhall vectra?

[500bhp]

Thanks Simon, yes I do have aircon, so it's definately an engine out job then! ouch!!

I don't know what type of chain it is.

The dilema is wether to go for a rebuild now if the engine has to come out, rough costs would be an extra 1.5k + on top for the RR. Or alternatively do just the cam chain and look into a new induction system for power gains.

The garage informs me there is a slight oil leak from seals, otherwise the engine is in good condition.

Ummmmm!!!!!!!!

[S------X------S]

Why are you doing an RR upgrade?

Its a con and a half. Dont waste your money on marketing buzz-words. Spend that money on a nice Emerald ecu and new performance intake.

As far as the chain is concerned, its always a good idea to replace it when doing a rebuild.

>> Edited by S------X------S on Thursday 2nd June 19:29

[HarryW]

I'm at a loss as to how replacing the timing chain if the engines is already in bits during a RR upgrade can cost 1.5K myself .

Harry

[joospeed]

350matt said:

any ideas what the cam chain is off? vauxhall vectra?

[S------X------S]

HarryW said:

I'm at a loss as to how replacing the timing chain if the engines is already in bits during a RR upgrade can cost 1.5K myself . Harry

Harry well said mate, I stick with my words, the RR job is a CON!

With performance options available from Joospeed and the power of three 'ACT, Mark Adams, Austec', I dont think we're short of tuning upgrades.

Also I cant wait to see Joospeeds 'highly classified' new upgrade expected to rock the Cerbera tuning world in power-stakes and relatively low costs, due soon.
Oops, I'm in for it now, I dont think I was supposed to mention it (you heard it here first!)

[simonsparrow]

500bhp said:

Thanks Simon, yes I do have aircon, so it's definately an engine out job then! ouch!! I don't know what type of chain it is. The dilema is wether to go for a rebuild now if the engine has to come out, rough costs would be an extra 1.5k + on top for the RR. Or alternatively do just the cam chain and look into a new induction system for power gains. The garage informs me there is a slight oil leak from seals, otherwise the engine is in good condition. Ummmmm!!!!!!!!

You can see the chain in these pics from Ash here <a href="www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=131213&f=6&h=0&hw=big+hole">www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=131213&f=6&h=0&hw=big+hole</a> Also some more on his web site.

However, having re-read your post, if you're worried about the chain breaking, then you may be ok. My car has done 108,000 miles and has not been rebuilt, so still has the original chain. TVR Power told me they replace them at 40k miles if they've got an engine apart, but no one knows how long they're meant to last, as there are so few high mileage cars around.

Steve Heath's Cerbera which spun a bearing on the dyno at 90-odd K miles hadn't broken its chain either. I don't know if he can comment on the condition of his chain.

From the pictures above it looks like quite a substantial double row job.

I would say (from my motorcycle days) that if the tensioner can still operate correctly, then the chain is ok, at least as far as wear goes. Once the tensioner can't take up the slack, then the chain is worn and has to be replaced.

Other than that, you just have to live with the vague feeling of uneasiness that you have with a hand built engine...

>> Edited by simonsparrow on Thursday 2nd June 22:34

>> Edited by simonsparrow on Thursday 2nd June 22:35

[gazzab]

S------X------S said:

HarryW said: I'm at a loss as to how replacing the timing chain if the engines is already in bits during a RR upgrade can cost 1.5K myself . Harry Harry well said mate, I stick with my words, the RR job is a CON! With performance options available from Joospeed and the power of three 'ACT, Mark Adams, Austec', I dont think we're short of tuning upgrades. Also I cant wait to see Joospeeds 'highly classified' new upgrade expected to rock the Cerbera tuning world in power-stakes and relatively low costs, due soon. Oops, I'm in for it now, I dont think I was supposed to mention it (you heard it here first!)

Come on spill the beanz!
Take purple hoses off, replace with some old bits of garden hose, off the shelf ECU with good maps and away we go at 390 bhp?

[500bhp]

Thanks for your input, apparently the tensioner can take up the slack in the cam chain - so panic over, it's nice to hear that high mileage cars do exist without major rebuilds or even cam chain changes.

The garage perhaps was being over cautious, although they say there is play from side to side with the cam chain.

The engine isn't out, if it was coming out I thought it may be "better value" for money to have the RR work carried out. From the response so far it would appear not.

The ACT induction system looks very interesting!!!!!

Many thanks all

[malman]

simonsparrow said:

snip -> However, having re-read your post, if you're worried about the chain breaking, then you may be ok. My car has done 108,000 miles and has not been rebuilt, so still has the original chain. TVR Power told me they replace them at 40k miles if they've got an engine apart, but no one knows how long they're meant to last, as there are so few high mileage cars around. Steve Heath's Cerbera which spun a bearing on the dyno at 90-odd K miles hadn't broken its chain either. I don't know if he can comment on the condition of his chain. snip -> Other than that, you just have to live with the vague feeling of uneasiness that you have with a hand built engine...

Don't want to be doom and gloom but unfortunately there is another end to this scale. That would be the nasty ping and then clunk at 29,950 miles.

You lose some of that uneasiness ^^^ after the rebuild.

Mines now run in and going for it oil change soon


I think its a case of if its out get it done if it isn't then leave it unless you get really paranoid.

>> Edited by malman on Friday 3rd June 17:22

[simonsparrow]

malman said:

I think its a case of if its out get it done if it isn't then leave it unless you get really paranoid.

Thats it in a nutshell