What are my alternatives here? car already has an electric water pump, but retains the optispark. I believe the 92-94 optis are driven via a shaft that inserts into the cam gear. Does anyone make a double roller timing set with a provision for this shaft? Or do i have to upgrade to a 95-96 opti (and cover)which is driven by a dowel pin in the cam? Or am i stuck with the stock belt link chain?
Well, you can install the LT4 extreme duty chain but it'll require more parts and money. Not a cheap install at all. You'll need a 95-96 tc cover, newer opti and a different cam dowel pin. Other minor parts as well to do the swap.
I don't know of any other system to use other than modify an LT1 intake and then install a distributor.
Let me tell you first hand.. I watched EricVonHa do a conversion on his '93 LT1 motor. Yes, you need the latest style timing cover for the LT1 and a long dowel pin for the end of cam. Also, you need the later opti (obviously). Only then can you move to a heavy duty double roller timing chain set. People that run extreme lift and high spring pressures in these motors are rare so I try to post his/my experiences as often as possible.
Thanks guys. Our plan right now is the swap in the new style opti and cover, but i would just like to confirm that we can use a std timing set, like the Cloyes 3145. We have an elec water pump, so that is not an issue.
Any standard timing set will work. The crank gear and cam gear are machined identically to the LT1 opti style setups with the exception of the cam gear having the splined shaft insert on the early LT1 style cam gears. Later cams had the position for the longer dowel pin for the opti. That's the only real concern-- is getting the longer dowel pin installed in the end of the cam. Any timing gear set will work then!
If you've already got the electric pump you've probably already plugged the hole in the timing cover-- but, that's obviously the least of your worries.
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Help with 93 LT1 Timing set
