Originally Posted by
old's'cool
The mechanical element that ensures coordination between the rotating/reciprocating assembly and the valvetrain should be designed with an indefinite life expectancy, or at least one commensurate with the engine's bottom end. However, the bean counters, allied with the NVH experts, already have prevailed in many cases.
That is totally incorrect. The weight and complexity of a timing chain is not beneficial towards engine performance. Gear-driven cams would be better but are often noisy and not at all cheap in comparison. Putting a timing chain on a high-RPM 4-cylinder engine would be an engineering mistake -not just an affront to the bean-counters.
It's not that hard of a job to change anyhow, and not that expensive. Even after replacing it a few times it still saves money in the long run for the consumer.
I'd like to see where you are sourcing $10 timing belts. I need to maybe stock up on them!