What do I need for e85? Other valve train questions

[8driann]

Hello, its me again. So I went ahead and tore the engine apart and basically going to get everything valvetrain new with the heads resurfaced as well as a new oil pump. I have two questions. Should I pick up the melling high volume oil pump for my ls3 and are there any benefits or trade offs compared to a stock one (only have headers so far)? And my second question, do I need the flex fuel kit to run e85 or do I need upgraded fuel lines and fuel pump and what not other than a tune? And one more thing, i want to replace the timing chain, just to be on the safe side, and I keep seeing timing chain tensioners or timing chain guides and some people chose one over the other. What do yall recommend? I will open up the timing chain cover tomorrow so I dont know what my car has. Maybe anything else to replace to be on the safe side and not have the ticking come back? Sorry for flooding you guys with questions but your opinions are greatly appreciated, thanks.

[olblue75]

So for E85; you’ll need a E85 sensor, ZL1 injectors, ZL1 fuel pump, and ZL1 fuel pump control module an of course a tune. You can find a “Continental” sensor all over eBay, harness from Gen5Diy, and just need to get the others from Rock Auto.

Timing chain; find a C5.R timing chain possibly from Katech.

Timing Chain Tensioner; LS2 style dog bone. Improved racing, GPI, Texas Speed, Katech.

Oil pump; depends on use of car, Katech recommended a HP pump for road course racing, so I’d ask Zach from the sponsor build section.

Also while you doing pump and chain go to Improvedrading.com and get the oil pump pick up support clamp.
http://www.improvedracing.com/oil-pu...amp-p-642.html

So don’t forget a new front seal and timing chain cover gasket.

[sixty9fordkiller]

you dont need a ZL1 fpcm anymore like in the early 5th gen days. A stock ss one will be fine. The tuner will flash the stock one with zl1 parameters when tunning for e85

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[joshnmn]

But there’s no reason to do it by itself. There are essentially no gains from e85 on a stock 5th gen.

[Black_SS10]

I went with E85 for more reasons than just for power. I am running a stock SS fuel pump and 70lb injectors. No issues. Of course I have a flex fuel sensor installed. Which you need, unless you will strictly use e85, then you just tune for that fuel.

I am running the GMPP timing chain. It's cheaper and a stout piece made for racing. I am using an Ls2 tensioner. It is more noisy as it doesn't apply direct pressure on the chain. But you won't be able to tell.

As for oil pumps. I would definitely replace while your in there. You can use a hi pressure/volume of you want. A lot of that depends on your build. If your staying with a basic ls3, just get the melling factory replacement. If you plan on running hard and keeping the RPMs high. Get a hi pressure/volume pump. That will help against oil cavitation at high RPMs.

Get new lifters if you haven't already. The GMPP racing lifters are great for the money. Look exactly like Johnsons but cheaper.

[JLGO]

E85 on all motors hardly does anything.

[8driann]

Originally Posted by olblue75

So for E85; you’ll need a E85 sensor, ZL1 injectors, ZL1 fuel pump, and ZL1 fuel pump control module an of course a tune. You can find a “Continental” sensor all over eBay, harness from Gen5Diy, and just need to get the others from Rock Auto.

Timing chain; find a C5.R timing chain possibly from Katech.

Timing Chain Tensioner; LS2 style dog bone. Improved racing, GPI, Texas Speed, Katech.

Oil pump; depends on use of car, Katech recommended a HP pump for road course racing, so I’d ask Zach from the sponsor build section.

Also while you doing pump and chain go to Improvedrading.com and get the oil pump pick up support clamp.
http://www.improvedracing.com/oil-pu...amp-p-642.html

So don’t forget a new front seal and timing chain cover gasket.

Thanks for the recommendations. Definitely will be getting that clamp there and for sure new seals.

[8driann]

Originally Posted by sixty9fordkiller

you dont need a ZL1 fpcm anymore like in the early 5th gen days. A stock ss one will be fine. The tuner will flash the stock one with zl1 parameters when tunning for e85

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Got it thanks

[8driann]

Originally Posted by jnmn

But there’s no reason to do it by itself. There are essentially no gains from e85 on a stock 5th gen.

I just want to get it while Im in the engine because I will be trying to get full bolt ons.

[8driann]

Originally Posted by Black_SS10

I went with E85 for more reasons than just for power. I am running a stock SS fuel pump and 70lb injectors. No issues. Of course I have a flex fuel sensor installed. Which you need, unless you will strictly use e85, then you just tune for that fuel.

I am running the GMPP timing chain. It's cheaper and a stout piece made for racing. I am using an Ls2 tensioner. It is more noisy as it doesn't apply direct pressure on the chain. But you won't be able to tell.

As for oil pumps. I would definitely replace while your in there. You can use a hi pressure/volume of you want. A lot of that depends on your build. If your staying with a basic ls3, just get the melling factory replacement. If you plan on running hard and keeping the RPMs high. Get a hi pressure/volume pump. That will help against oil cavitation at high RPMs.

Get new lifters if you haven't already. The GMPP racing lifters are great for the money. Look exactly like Johnsons but cheaper.

So Im a 19 y/old kid who's got a lot of adrenaline. I wouldn't necessarily say its always going to be at high RPM's or the track, but definitely here and there. So I will for sure get the LS2 tensioner, but for the timing chain, do you think I can get away with the autozone one? My friend lets me use his discount and also those come with warranty, but do you think it will be good down the line if Im trying to go fbo? Also, I was looking into the melling high volume oil pump and as for the lifters, I already picked up some tsp LS7 roller lifters. So what kind of injectors do you recommend for e85? And I can keep my same fuel pump? Thanks for the advice

[8driann]

Originally Posted by JLGO

E85 on all motors hardly does anything.

I will be going fbo soon.

[olblue75]

If you wanna do it right don’t skimp on parts, if it was a daily driver an never really pushed the Autozone chain might be ok depending on the brand. An for no more then what you’ll be doing a ZL1 set of injectors will do what you want.

[8driann]

Originally Posted by olblue75

If you wanna do it right don’t skimp on parts, if it was a daily driver an never really pushed the Autozone chain might be ok depending on the brand. An for no more then what you’ll be doing a ZL1 set of injectors will do what you want.

No, I think I’ll just look into the C5r chain, because I know for sure this car is not going to be a garage queen or babied lol. And yeah you’re right, I will just get the zl1 injectors, thanks.


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[Black_SS10]

Originally Posted by olblue75

If you wanna do it right don’t skimp on parts, if it was a daily driver an never really pushed the Autozone chain might be ok depending on the brand. An for no more then what you’ll be doing a ZL1 set of injectors will do what you want.

Originally Posted by 8driann

No, I think I’ll just look into the C5r chain, because I know for sure this car is not going to be a garage queen or babied lol. And yeah you’re right, I will just get the zl1 injectors, thanks.


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I have the stock SS fuel and 70lb deatschwerks injectors. I am at 71% duty cycle. Zl1 injectors would be maxed out already.

As for the chain. Sure an auto part store one will work. Just get a quality brand with a warranty. Most chains are made by the same manufacturers anyways. I got my GMPP chain for around $55. Just remember that the ls2 dogbone tensioner does not apply tension to the chain, it simply keeps it from slapping and breaking. The ls3 one actually applies tension. It works fine, but can break and fall apart. After 35,xxx miles of spirited driving my 2010 chain and tensioner were fine. It had wear marks but thats normal.

To answer your other question. The high volume oil pump will be fine.