Alec Bryant

I'm building an 86 vette tpi for my 90 firebird, pulled off the timing chain cover and then thought why not a gear drive? Figure they are the most reliable and make it sound supercharged. Who makes a good kit for my L98 without an obnoxious sound just a nice sound that won't throw my knock sensor. I know plently are out there what's my best choice its going to be a 300 horse daily driver

AlkyIROC

I had a noisy gear drive with the dual floating idlers in my race engine for a day before ripping it out and putting a chain back on. Although it sounds like a good idea, you'll hate it in a short period of time.

A good quality timing chain set will be a better choice Although it will eventually stretch or wear out, you'll like it much better. Buy a set with billet gears. Inexpensive sets wear out quickly. If you really want reliability and long life, put an OEM set back on.

If your budget is unlimited, a good timing belt system (dry or wet) or a Milodon single fixed idler gear system is far superior. Expect to pay around $1000 for a bulletproof system.

When I built my 588 engine, I installed the Milodon gear drive. I looked at all the options and decided on the gears instead of a belt system. It takes a little bit to set it up but once set up, it will never wear out, lose adjustment, create noise etc plus it's enclosed behind an aluminum timing cover.

Alec Bryant

Belts are the worst idea for me cause when it snaps you loose alot. A Gear set like your 588 is exactly what I want just not stupid loud. No wear or adjustment issues. Does Milodon make kits for the L98?

AlkyIROC

I doubt a Kevlar timing belt is going to snap.

Does this fit your engine's description? I would assume so since it fits 1984-1995 SBC engines. This will the last timing set you need to buy for the engine. The listing says they're noisy but they're not. Only $580. That's roughly 5 high end timing chain sets plus a lot more adjustability.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mil-12001

Alec Bryant

Yes it says it fits 5.0 and 5.7 sbc to my year. That's literally double the price of gear sets I've been told quality ones go for. Don't need adjustability most likely gona run stock cam. I like this though its a possibility

Alec Bryant

Though will it throw off my knock sensor ??

AlkyIROC

It shouldn't. Unlike the inexpensive floating dual idler systems, the idler gear in the Milodon system is fixed. Precision gear to gear mating. Crank, cam and idler gear are all fixed so the only sound you may hear is a high pitched whine of the gears.

Alec Bryant

I want a nice sound. Does that include everything I would need for 500$ it better every other gear drive set ups for these years say not for engines with knock sensors but this seems legit

AlkyIROC

It should include everything you need however it isn't a simple bolt on and go. The only extra thing you may need is a couple of dowels which can be made from the shank of some longer bolts. A few modifications need to be made to make sure everything is set up properly. You'll need to use a degree wheel and piston stop to dial in the camshaft. The cover needs to go onto dowels to position the idler gear in the proper spot between the cam and crank gear. There's a specific backlash required but the gear mount doesn't move so it has to be set with the cover positioning. Once completed, it's super simple to remove and install to do a cam swap or to adjust the cam timing. The hardest part is setting everything up.

After it's all set up, the cam timing will never move like when a chain stretches. Since the cam timing will never change, neither will the ignition timing. Using gears is just a more precise way to time the cam. Chains have their purpose but wear out and get sloppy. They are however the quietest way to time a cam and a factory car is always trying to be quiet.

As for how the gears sound, I have no idea. Even with my mufflers, all I hear is exhaust.

Night rider327

iTrader: (13)

Ummm, just to throw a monkey wrench into the pile...

If you are REALLY thinking about spending $600 on a timing set to sound like a blower, why not shop around and put another $500-1200 with it and buy a real blower??

The gear drive like alky posted is great for full on race engines, like he has, and in fact is needed on engines like that.

A good $30-50 roller chain set is all you will ever need on any 450 HP and under SBC, even at 500-550 HP a good $80 chain will do just as well.

If you want the sound then get a pete jackson "quite" gear drive, or cloyes 8-5145 gear drive for $150, its for roller cam, efi engines.

Or look for a used 142/144/177 blower and swap to a carb, or the M112 and keep the tpi, or go centrifugal supercharger

Alec Bryant

That's the kind I was looking for I know it was a guys Mame and I am not doing it for the sound and I won't want stupid horsepower on a daily driver I just want something I can rely on for gears thanks

Damon

I can't imagine how the factory ever foolishly used a timing chain for decades in their engines. I mean, they snap all the time. Few last beyond the second oil change. Couple hard gear changes and you might not even make it to the end of the block with one!

/sarc

Night rider327

iTrader: (13)

LOL, I love it Damon!

I got to agree with you man. It's hard to beat a SBC timing chain. They did have a few problems with those dumb nylon/plastic teeth gears they used for awhile in the 70's, early 80's but other than that no issues.

A good aftermarket $50 chain set will last 300,000 miles or more, and won't transfer crankshaft harmonics to the valvetrain like a gear drive does.

RSD

Check your oil temps before a gear drive, then after! Your mind will be made up on the whole idea of a gear drive. I guarantee you won't want another gear drive setup.

Alec Bryant

I looked up that Pete Jackson but they all say they are not for efi or not for engines with knock sensors I am very confused. What if u were to to a mild cam?

AlkyIROC

The Pete Jackson or any other dual floating idler system are not designed for engines with knock sensors. The gears just make too much noise for the knock sensor to handle.

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

Sure was a good way to get their pre 87' cars back into the dealerships for the 100K mile timing chain service. The chain wasn't ever the problem - it was that bull-**** nylon coated Cam Gear !!!

Here's what it looks like when the nylon cam gear coating disintegrates into the engine,.... (the timing was 'off' a little " !!)

Alec Bryant

Pete jackson has a quiet gear drive that apparently plenty of people are running.

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

I've got a 'quiet' pete jackson gear drove installed on my 355. It had a carb fuel system / no knock sensor & I ran it for years. Even people that don't know ANYTHING about cars instantly hear it and ask questions...... I would certainly not call it "quiet".