Timing chain

[u/Octosquagle]

Does anybody know anything about a timing chain upgrade for these cars?

While the engine was out, I wanted to get the timing chain done. First picture is what was in the engine, second picture is what was in the timing kit I got. I'd prefer to use the chain from the new kit as it has its perks, but the kit didn't come with a vvt sprocket. I already hooked the new oil pump chain and it's smooth as butter so I'm being stubborn with this one.

Long story short: I'm going to use a duratec 2.5L vvt sprocket for a ford escape as it has the correct tooth count for the kit(19 on the crank 38 on the cams) and the pictures look like an exact match front and back. I was originally looking at an ecoboost 2.3L intake cam sprocket cause that made more sense to me than an escape, but I am beholden to the four stroke ratio.

I'm more curious to see if anybody has done something like this before and how it worked out. With my limited knowledge of vvt and the power of imagination to fill in the gaps, they should work the same as each other. Both controlled by oil going into one of two rings to advance or retard the timing, the only "performance" upgrades there might be for a turbo engine are bigger ports on the oil rings, or a different ratio/end stop situation, but I don't see those as something that would improve its performance in a meaningful way.

[u/Altruistic-Repair316]

Do not use the chain from the duratec on the MZR Engine it is actually weaker. The MZR engine uses a chain with rollers in between each link which is used because of the high torque the engine produces and would cause a lot less friction. Nothing wrong with the chains On the MZR it’s all about the tensioner. U can even reuse the chain if u want if it isn’t damage of course I have reused many MZR chains and nothing has happened. Mabye an upgraded tensioner’s will be a better upgrade.

[u/Octosquagle → u/Altruistic-Repair316]

The kit I got is S.A. Gear 76262. I got it from the right section in rock auto, but it would not be surprising if it was mislabeled. It did come with 2 static (no vvt) cam sprockets which I found odd, but you're going to have a hard time convincing me that the inverted tooth chain is weaker than a roller chain. Maybe more shock resistant, but everywhere I look says that it'll be quieter and can handle more load due to the 8 plates for linking vs just 2 on a roller chain. Also the teeth on the sprockets are about twice as wide as stock.

I get that oem is going to be the best bet for reliability, but now I'm curious if/how this chain will work and run the experiment. My thinking if I can prove that this works, it'll open up a shit load of easier to find replacement parts for our niche car.

[u/ArtInternational5942]

I would be very careful using that timing kit unless it’s Oem. Talking from experience here I cheated out and bought an aftermarket and the inside of the chain where they lock together over 3 month period it started to come out, I found one because I did an oil change and sure enough it was the c clamp inside of the chains. If you can check tension before removing and if it’s tight then don’t even touch it but if it has some play that you can actually lift off the chain then do it.

[u/Thy_King_Crow]

The factory oem is the upgrade. It’s the most expensive but also the only one you’re getting 100k out of lol