PERA's Core Corner: Updating Your Understanding Of Chrysler's NGC - Engine Builder Magazine

PERA’s Core Corner: Updating Your Understanding Of Chrysler’s NGC

Last November’s Core Corner, titled “Understanding Chrysler’s Next Generation Controllers” (November 2005 Engine Builder, page 24) did not include any images of the different cam gears since all you needed to know for identification was that “NGC” was stamped on the gears in question.

REPLACEMENT CHART
Note: SBEC means Single Board Engine Controller (passenger car and mini van): NGC stands for Next Generation Controller.


Isn’t it always the way when you think that you don’t need something it suddenly turns out that you do? Like throwing away that cylinder head that’s been collecting dust on one of your back shelves for the last 10 years: within a week of discarding it someone shows up looking for that exact piece.

So guess what? Following 2004, Chrysler’s 3.3L and 3.8L engines, are all NGC. But because they are different by about 1/8″, I now need to provide you with pictures. There are also a few subtle changes to the chart included then, so replace that one with the version to the right.

So let’s get down to what you need to know to keep yourself out of trouble with these two different NGC variations. The chart shows that when the 3.3L and 3.8L engines began using NGC in 2004 they used a wide chain measuring approximately .685″ across the links. Then in 01/01/2005 all production began using the new NGC gears and chain that are narrower by approximately 1/8″, with the chain measuring .555″ across the links. This difference can be seen in Figure 1.


Figure 2 shows the notch location for all of the gears w/ and w/o NGC, wide and thin. The red isosceles trapezoids (I knew I would be able to use that term from high school geometry before I died!) with the white centers are located in each of the gears’ trigger notches so you can easily see the differences. As a quick visual reference, if you have one trigger notch in the third of the gear that is being pointed to by the No. 1 cylinder locator it is w/o NGC; if there are four in that same area it is with NGC, whether it is wide or thin.

If you are going to your local Chrysler parts counter the reference is [-XZZ] for non- NGC and [XZZ] with NGC. There is no reference to wide or thin. See Figure 1 for OE part numbers for each of the gears.

So what’s the big deal about a narrow or wide timing chain and gears? Nothing, unless you have a cam position sensor that is in the wrong place and cannot get a correct reading.


But which timing cover goes with which gear set? The first generation wide gear NGC uses timing cover c/n 4781547AB and has a sensor bolt boss area that measures .500″ thick. The second generation thin gear NGC uses timing cover c/n 4666005AA and the sensor bolt boss measures .400″ thick (Figure 3). Other than the casting number and the difference in machining of the sensor location and bolt down, the covers appear to be identical. Both applications do use the same cam position sensor.

So there you have it, short, sweet and simple – but it’s a real quick way to get jammed up if you assemble the wrong cover/gear combinations because the cam position sensor will not read if you do it incorrectly.

For technical questions, contact the Production Engine Remanufacturers Association (PERA) at: [email protected]

You May Also Like

Open Loop/Closed Loop and Learning

Closed-loop control can be programmed to either add or subtract up to a certain percentage of fuel in order for the engine to reach the target air/fuel ratio.

Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) is all the rage today and rightfully so. EFI has many advantages that allow us to dial in the fuel in a dramatically more precise fashion than was ever possible with a carburetor. One of the tools at our disposal is the closed loop algorithm where the target air/fuel ratio commanded in the ECU is compared to the actual air/fuel ratio read by the O2 sensor. If the two do not match, the ECU makes small changes by either adding or subtracting from the commanded fuel in the fuel table to equalize the two. 

Top 10 Ken Block Gymkhana Films

Who doesn’t like a little bit of burnt rubber?

America’s Best Engine Shops 2022 | H&H Flatheads

Despite not being a fancy, state-of-the-art set up, Mike and his team at H&H have a great thing going. The equipment does exactly what it needs to, his team is experienced and the shop has built thousands of vintage engines for customers everywhere!

America’s Best Engine Shops 2022 | Choate Engineering Performance

This shop’s dedication to quality engine work, its growth, its machining capabilities and its impact in the diesel industry, all make Choate Engineering Performance well deserving of Engine Builder’s and Autolite’s 2022 America’s Best Diesel Engine Shop award.

America’s Best Engine Shops 2022 | 4 Piston Racing

The 4 Piston Racing facility in Danville, IN houses two buildings – one is 12,000 sq.-ft. and the other is 2,500 sq.-ft. The shop is very heavily focused on Honda cylinder heads and engine work to the tune of 300+ engines and 1,000 cylinder heads annually!

Other Posts

Randy Bauer Shares His Experience as PERA President

We recently spoke to Randy about his PERA presidency and what some of the biggest hurdles are facing the engine remanufacturing industry right now.

Women in Motorsports: Mattie Graves

Mattie Graves competes in the Outlaw Diesel Super Series (ODSS) dragster class, and is the only female doing so in a class that already has very few competitors in general. Find out more about this up and coming diesel drag racing star.

Women in Motorsports: Johnna Dunn

She got her drag racing license before she got her regular license, and that tells you everything you need to know about Johnna Dunn. She’s a drag racer and clutch specialist for her grandfather’s NHRA Top Fuel Funny Car team, Jim Dunn Racing.

Women in Motorsports: Kayla Blood

A veteran of the military, a former track star, an MMA fighter, Motocross and ATV racer, and now a Monster Jam driver, Kayla Blood has packed a lot into her still growing career. Now the driver of Soldier Fortune, she strives to make a name for herself and for other women looking to make motorsports a career.