Gear drive vs Timing Chain

OK, so I've noticed most people have preferences whether they like timing chains or gear drives. Most of us have these preferences because of the sound or lack thereof. I want to know though, which is really better? Can someone give me REAL PROOF that gear drives really do kill horsepower or that there is even a noticeable difference? I've seen a lot of "internet heroes" that preach about harmonics in the engine & power losses that come with gear drives, but check every forum you want & no one gives a real reason where they found out about this. One day did some guy that dislikes gear drives spout this off & it has become an ironclad rule or is there truth to this? I wouldn't think this would even be a problem or concern with non-fuel injected motors, but maybe I'm wrong. I have been before.

I do know gear drives are more accurate. I know that Tru-rollers are better than your average timing chain due to the roller design. I know that timing belts honestly provide more power simply based on the fact of weighing less.This all should be common sense. Can someone show me some dyno charts proving the power loss or gain between a timing chain & a gear drive? Even better someone show me what bad harmonics does for an engine. I personally haven't seen a motor blow or wear out solely due to a gear drive, but I have seen a gear driven 350 pull a bus around dependably for 3 years & it's still running great. I've also seen the catastrophe of a broken timing belt on an interference motor , but that's another story. I know this sounds kind of one-sided, but I'm seriously gonna be open minded, especially if someone shows me hard facts.

Which do you like best, red or blue? Its all a matter of personal opinion. JB

over a stock part- a double roller timing chain will give you power, and so will a gear drive, a gear drive cant be used with a hydrolic roller camshaft.

no on the timing belts. I have a friend that was running a timing belt on a bbc in a 9 sec all motor mustang. During a pass, a tiny bit of oil blew pass the seals and the belt slipped off. destroying the pistons and valves.

I know I prefer a cloyes true roller with torrington bearing over all.

BlackChevelleSS wrote:no on the timing belts. I know I prefer a cloyes true roller with torrington bearing over all.

good to hear after puttin one on! lol

Yeah you always hear about the benefits of that $800 Jesel drive belt, but what they won't tell you is how often you really need to check them. I like true roller chains, but I really can't say anything bad about gear drives. I'm actually thinking of throwing one on my next build.

JB - I'm thinking the same thing. I'm just tired of hearing that gear drives steal power, but no one has been able to prove it to me yet.

Corey - Gear drives CAN be used with hydraulic roller cams. Comp Cams even packages one with their "Thumper Cams Kit". LMAO go figure.......

Black - Glad to hear I'm not the only person that's seen belt failure... well not really glad, but you know what I mean. Cloyes is probably one of the best ways to go IF you you get the true roller version. I've seen their cheaper double roller stretch after only a few thousand miles. Not enough to do damage or even jump a tooth, but I swore I felt the power loss.

Man, this site is righteous! My husband just said that we need to find somebody who knows the pros / cons of a gear over a chain or belt. I clicked the G3 Tech and we got our answer. Now we just need somebody to give the car a once over. Anybody close to Jackson, Wisconsin?

KINDA CLOSE your just about 1.5 hours from me

Stay the H$** away from a belt drive! Otherwise, it's all up to you. I've never had a problem with the chains though. Not like any of us are running 4 seconds in the 1/4...

Uh, not yet anyway... LOL

Ok so it was flooded. Plugs are all wet, they smell like gas. Fuel pump is fine, and it's getting spark. Now we have to change the plugs, and the oil cuz that smells like gas too. Not a big deal. It should be running after that. I am getting ants in my pants. ARG!

???? Wrong thread ????

HUGGERS PROB DOES SOUND LIKE A POSSIBLE TIMING CHAIN WEAR PROBLEM. I HAD A SIMILAR CONDITIONWIT THE ORIG. 305 BACK IN THE 80'S. PUT FUEL EVERYWHERE, IF IT WOULD OF TURNED OVER I MIGHT'VE BLOWN MY HEADER GLASSPACKS OFF! LOL

yeah I guess so.....

Okay, I have a specific question. I want to pull the gear and put in a heavy-duty double-roller chain. The guy said he'd do it, but advised me not to. He says that I will snap that chain in about a month, and there's probably a reason they put in the gear. It's a 383 stroker motor. Aside from the "gear vs. chain discussion, why would the chain break? Is there too much pressure on a chain when it's in a "supposedly" high performance motor?