What are the pros and cons between a gear drive and timing chain?
Which would be better for street use or is that just preference and opinion?
If it's preference, how do you feel about a gear drive for street use?

 

Gear drives are good if you like gear noise. The claim is that they are more accurate than a chain drive, but the problem is tat they transmit all crankshaft twist when a cylinder fires and torsional vibrations to the camshaft. On a powerful engine crankshaft twist can be considerable and can affect timing accuracy. The chain has some slack and can absorb some of the twist and vibration. The best bet would be to convert to a timing belt as the pro racers do. This can lessen friction losses, and protect the valve train, and maintain timing accuracy.

 

There is also that little price difference to consider.

 

The gear drive sounds great, but it gets noisy after a while.

 

gear drive also requires you to use a different cam, it turns backwards.

 

Only if it's direct drive gears. The ones with the idlers in between the cam and crank gears (the common type) work directly in place of a chain. Most guys I know do a gear drive for the "neat" sound.