Larger Tensioner vs Smaller Belts
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Monroe, MI
I'm running a 2.1" pulley on my 92 Series 1 and I opted for a shorter belt instead of the tensioner just because I can get a discount on auto parts. I went with a 1" shorter belt which worked fine for about 4 months, but now I'm noticing and hearing belt slip at high rpm. I would also recommend going with the tensioner, I personally have no experience with the tensioner, but thats the route I'll be going next.
What is the stock size on series 1'*?
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 11
Likes: 13
Originally Posted by BillBoost37
Jason
92/93 is 2.5 (I'm pretty sure)
94/95 is 2.8 (thinking)
96+ is plain old huge compared to the others.
92/93 is 2.5 (I'm pretty sure)
94/95 is 2.8 (thinking)
96+ is plain old huge compared to the others.
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Monroe, MI
A 2.1" pulley is overkill for your basic intake and exhaust bonneville, but I have a drilled 160 tstat along with manual fans during the summertime to battle some KR along with a nitrous kit to cool things down as well. During the winter however, I'm back to a 180 drilled tstat and no nitrous. With the weather as cold as it is, my car never reaches full operating temps with the drilled tstat while I'm moving. If I let the car sit, it will easily reach 180 degrees. But in motion, all the cold air across the radiator still keeps the engine nice and cool. I don't notice much power loss in the winter time.
Oh, and 96+ pulleys are 3.8" I believe.
Oh, and 96+ pulleys are 3.8" I believe.
Senior Member
Posts like a Corvette
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 0
From: Bolingbrook, IL Location: Clarkston, MI
Originally Posted by OLBlueEyesBonne
Gonna order a Gatorback and see if that helps. Otherwise I'm not sure what to do.
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 11
Likes: 13
Originally Posted by llBlazin_llLo
Originally Posted by OLBlueEyesBonne
Gonna order a Gatorback and see if that helps. Otherwise I'm not sure what to do.
Senior Member
Posts like a Corvette
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 0
From: Bolingbrook, IL Location: Clarkston, MI
NAPA Gates belts have been proven to be the best belts in terms of gripping a pulley - That is why 99% of the 3800 Supercharged big dogs run them. When you start getting into the sub-2.2" pulley range every little bit helps. I actually think that the gaterback are louder but I can't hear it over the whine of a 2" pulley and exhaust.
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 11
Likes: 13
I've looked at the 'fit' of the grooves on both styles, and would disagree using my personal opinon. The groove depth of the Gates is not deep enough to fully recieve the ridge height of the pulley, leaving less surface contact. In other words, I've found the Gates belts to not fully 'fit' into my pulleys, where the Gatorbacks provide a good snug full fit. I have run both on both cars now.
Senior Member
Posts like a Corvette
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 0
From: Bolingbrook, IL Location: Clarkston, MI
Yes, something so seemingly simple can become quite complex. There are two accepted styles of pulley groove on the market right now.
One of them is an ANSI approved rounded tip. The thought process here is that the belt will achieve maximum clamp load through maximum surface contact area. In theory this is a good thought but in practice it results in less effective clamp load and can allow the belt to "float" on the pulley.
The other style is almost identical with the only difference being a flat-topped rib. This significantly increases effective clamp load when compared to the other design. All of our pullies use this design.
One of them is an ANSI approved rounded tip. The thought process here is that the belt will achieve maximum clamp load through maximum surface contact area. In theory this is a good thought but in practice it results in less effective clamp load and can allow the belt to "float" on the pulley.
The other style is almost identical with the only difference being a flat-topped rib. This significantly increases effective clamp load when compared to the other design. All of our pullies use this design.