I'm going to be putting the head back on the car soon and would like to know which timing belt to go with, OEM? Not sure if it matters but its a performance build.

Originally posted by bagged420a
I'm going to be putting the head back on the car soon and would like to know which timing belt to go with, OEM? Not sure if it matters but its a performance build.

Either will do, its up to you.

I have always used the belt that comes with the Partsdinosaur mechanical tensioner kit. Its a non-OEM belt, but works great and is made in the same country as the Good Year belt. Some people only use OEM.

Also, Gates makes a "racing" timing belt for our application.

OEM is fine. I ran a Goodyear Gatorback a couple times as well.

Additionally Gates makes an aftermarket belt as well as a blue racing timing belt, good for +15 hp. :rolleyes



Good place to buy from:

http://www.store.partsdinosaur.com/page29.html

EDIT: damn it Tim beat me to it while I was looking for links.

Originally posted by CODE4
Additionally Gates makes an aftermarket belt as well as a blue racing timing belt, good for +15 hp. :rolleyes

lol.
Thanks guys. And just to be sure, I need to replace the tensioner as well?

Originally posted by bagged420a

Originally posted by CODE4 Additionally Gates makes an aftermarket belt as well as a blue racing timing belt, good for +15 hp. :rolleyes

lol. Thanks guys. And just to be sure, I need to replace the tensioner as well?

Yes, and the idlers.

In fact, I would order the Partsdinosaur mechanical tensioner kit. Its like 13X.XX shipped, and excellent quality. I have installed two of them now, and most others on this forum use the same kit!

Whats the pros and cons for going with the mechanical tensioner?

Con: It's a major PITA to install if the engine is in the car.

Pro: Relatively inexpensive compared to the hydraulic, and a supposed reduction in tension variability at high RPMS

Thanks I'll have a look into those price differences.

Originally posted by ez
Con: It's a major PITA to install if the engine is in the car. Pro: Relatively inexpensive compared to the hydraulic, and a supposed reduction in tension variability at high RPMS

My first time ever doing this was in car.

The mechanical is awesome.

Only part about the mechanical is that the belt is really to get on at first. Ones its on and removed after a few revolutions, its easy to get on have perfect timing.

On a scale of 1-10 how much of a PITA is the mechanical change going to be with the motor in?

Scale of 1-10?

1 being major PITA and 10 being easy.... 6.5-7

It's not too bad. If the front and rear mounts are disconnected* you can pop out the rubber plug in the wheel well and maneuver the engine into place on a jack to see the alignment tang go into position through this hole.

*I have not tried this with the rear mount still attached.

Originally posted by bagged420a
On a scale of 1-10 how much of a PITA is the mechanical change going to be with the motor in?

Somewhere between an oil change and reasoning with Barza.

http://www.2gnt.com/index.php?d=PITA_Scale

I converted to a mechanical tensioner with the motor in the car and it was not difficult. I think I used a pocket mirror to get a good angle to view the spring tang during the tensioning process.

Originally posted by CODE4

Originally posted by bagged420a On a scale of 1-10 how much of a PITA is the mechanical change going to be with the motor in?

Somewhere between an oil change and reasoning with Barza.

lol Thanks fellas for all the help, doesn't seem too bad. Parts dinasaour has it on sale too so that will be my choice.

Originally posted by CODE4
I converted to a mechanical tensioner with the motor in the car and it was not difficult. I think I used a pocket mirror to get a good angle to view the spring tang during the tensioning process.

More awkward than difficult. I used the old "mirror on a stick".

lol mirror on a stick huh?

I took pictures with my cell phone to see the tang :shrug

Originally posted by bagged420a
lol mirror on a stick huh?

Heh heh, yeah, I keep it right next to my magnet on a stick........