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Larger Tensioner vs Smaller Belts

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Old Dec 12, 2005 | 08:48 PM
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Default Larger Tensioner vs Smaller Belts

I've noticed that some people use a larger tensioner pulley while others use a smaller belt when adding a smaller SC pulley. Beyond the fact that the larger tension pulley is cheaper, are there any other reasons to take one approach versus the other?
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Old Dec 12, 2005 | 08:51 PM
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i think you get more belt wrap on the SC one way of the other... not sure which way though...

i had both options in front of me.. and i did the belt
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Old Dec 12, 2005 | 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted by harofreak00
i think you get more belt wrap on the SC one way of the other... not sure which way though...

i had both options in front of me.. and i did the belt
Same here. I'm trying to make a choice which way to go.
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Old Dec 12, 2005 | 09:24 PM
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More belt wrap with the bigger tensioner.

Theory is, it allows less slip.
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Old Dec 12, 2005 | 09:46 PM
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Originally Posted by TrueWildMan
More belt wrap with the bigger tensioner.

Theory is, it allows less slip.
Well that settles it for me then.
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Old Dec 12, 2005 | 10:36 PM
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S2? Not as critical.

S1 92/93 L67 CRITICAL for an oversized tensioner pulley.
S1 94/95 L67 STRONGLY suggested for the oversized pulley.

By belt path design, the S1 is marginal to begin with. The smaller pulley'* compound the problem.
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Old Dec 12, 2005 | 11:22 PM
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You best bet is on a Series 1 is the oversized tensioner pulley also get a NAPA Gates belt and you will NEVER have to think about belt slip again.

The only thing that an OEM tensioner pulley and smaller belt has to offer is less rotating mass. But that mass you can't even measure.

I run a smaller tensioner pulley and a belt about half the lenght (51") of a stock belt and have more belt wrap then any Series 1 out their but that is a little custom.
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Old Dec 21, 2005 | 06:19 PM
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S2? Not as critical

Sorry Will, gotta correct ya on that. Got a smaller */C pully and deffinetly use smaller belt. Larger pully causes belt rub very badly, specially under WOT.
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Old Dec 21, 2005 | 06:38 PM
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I did both a larger tensioner pulley and a smaller belt and Sunday when I opened the hood I found A LOT of rubber duston the SC snout that wasn't there two weeks earlier when I put the new belt on. :(

Gonna order a Gatorback and see if that helps. Otherwise I'm not sure what to do.
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Old Dec 21, 2005 | 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Jason1351
S2? Not as critical

Sorry Will, gotta correct ya on that. Got a smaller */C pully and deffinetly use smaller belt. Larger pully causes belt rub very badly, specially under WOT.
Jason, you're misreading my reply. I said the oversized tensioner pulley is not as critically needed for a S2. It'* REQUIRED for a S1 92/93, and STRONGLY suggested for a 94/95.

You can go either oversized idler or smaller belt with a smaller SC pulley. S1 really has no choice.

FYI Jason, many S2 cars here are running the oversized idler with no problems whatsoever, including hundreds of GTP'* with the L67 as well.
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