Larger Tensioner vs Smaller Belts
12-23-2005, 09:12 PM
#21
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
Originally Posted by llBlazin_llLo
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.
That may be the case with the S2 L67, but they rev quite a bit more (higher belt speed at redline) than we do.
Belts are going to be a personal preference thing. My cars prefer the Gatorbacks, particularly the 93. I also have a much smaller pulley on my alternator than stock. The Gatorbacks turn tighter radiuses better than the Gates. My preference.
12-23-2005, 11:42 PM
#22
Senior Member
Posts like a Corvette
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Bolingbrook, IL Location: Clarkston, MI
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It doesn't change from S1 to S2 to any other car out their... You may like the Gatorbacks better but when it comes down to it Gates belts will grip better hands down.
12-24-2005, 01:35 AM
#23
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
Originally Posted by llBlazin_llLo
It doesn't change from S1 to S2 to any other car out their... You may like the Gatorbacks better but when it comes down to it Gates belts will grip better hands down.
12-24-2005, 12:28 PM
#24
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Monroe, MI
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I ran a gatorback belt back when I had the stock pulley on my car, but it didn't make any difference with belt slip. I haven't tried the Gates or Gatorback since I've had the pulley, but I know all the big dogs with 03 cobras w/ pulleys and idlers run the Gates belt. I might have seen a few with gatorbacks, but it seems Gates is the preference on that car.
12-28-2005, 04:29 PM
#25
Senior Member
Posts like a Corvette
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Bolingbrook, IL Location: Clarkston, MI
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by willwren
Originally Posted by llBlazin_llLo
It doesn't change from S1 to S2 to any other car out their... You may like the Gatorbacks better but when it comes down to it Gates belts will grip better hands down.
12-28-2005, 09:06 PM
#26
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
Originally Posted by llBlazin_llLo
Originally Posted by willwren
Originally Posted by llBlazin_llLo
It doesn't change from S1 to S2 to any other car out their... You may like the Gatorbacks better but when it comes down to it Gates belts will grip better hands down.
Maybe a bad lot of belts from them? Similar to the Taylor wire episode or the MSD coils? Who knows. But I have never had any slip with Gatorbacks on either car, so I think I'll stick with what works for me, and what doesn't squeal.
There are other good plug wires than Taylor. I use Belden'* now.
MSD is the only PREMIUM coil offering, and mine are still working great.
Gates doesn't work for me. Gatorback does.
I could really give a rat'* *** what Zoomer or ZZP or INTENSE or Thrasher or anyone else 'recommends' for my belts. I use what works best on MY car.
12-29-2005, 02:32 PM
#28
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
Another thing I don't like about the Micro-V Gates belts is that they don't fully seat into the grooves. This allows water to stay between the belt and pulley in the deepest portion of the pully grooves. The Gatorback not only rides fully into the grooves, but also can shed water through the diagonal relief cuts through the ridges of the belt. Much like a tire. The gates belt is so obvious in it'* inability to fully seat in the pulley, it acts like an under-length belt during install. It'* frustrating on the Series 1 L67.
These relief cuts also give gripping edges so the belt doesn't have to rely solely on surface contact and belt tension to prevent slip. The Gatorbacks by design also have a much better ability to turn a tighter circumference of the smaller pulleys.
In my fairly wet environment 6 months out of the year, I want my belts to be able to shed water and not slip.
These relief cuts also give gripping edges so the belt doesn't have to rely solely on surface contact and belt tension to prevent slip. The Gatorbacks by design also have a much better ability to turn a tighter circumference of the smaller pulleys.
In my fairly wet environment 6 months out of the year, I want my belts to be able to shed water and not slip.
12-29-2005, 04:56 PM
#29
Senior Member
Posts like a Corvette
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Bolingbrook, IL Location: Clarkston, MI
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Jason1351
Damn Will. U tell'em 
Who are you? Your comments really helped this topic! 
Like I said before... The Gatorback might work better for you but don't tell people that it is the best belt out their for people have belts slip problems because that is simply not true. It is a fact that the Gates belts will have less belt slip then a Gatorback. Now does that mean that if you run a Gatorback you will have belt slip? NO, but if someone is having a problem with belt slip and they have done the obvious (smaller belt/larger tentionier) it is prob. an good idea to try a Gates belt.
12-29-2005, 07:27 PM
#30
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
Originally Posted by llBlazin_llLo
Originally Posted by Jason1351
Damn Will. U tell'em
Who are you? Your comments really helped this topic! Like I said before... The Gatorback might work better for you but don't tell people that it is the best belt out their for people have belts slip problems because that is simply not true.
I have a raised redline and TWO dinky pulleys. Alternator is even smaller than my SC pulley. And I have NEVER had any belt slip on either of my L67'* using gatorbacks, even in horrible wet conditions.
Name someone that has belt slip problems with Gatorbacks, and I'll show you someone with a weak tensioner.