Timing Belts: Different Options

[Jakey]

Over the winter I would like to pull the balancer shafts and change the timing belt on my car ('92 Laser). There is always the Mitsu timing belt however I have seen quite a few pictures of teeth simply stripping off of the Mitsu belt. I have no intentions of taking my car to a Mitsu dealer for the belt job so obviously my timing belt will not be warrantied. Has anyone ever used one of the Power Kevlar timing belts? Granted they're twice the price of a Mitsu belt but, I'd say the cost is worth it versus having a nice set of bent valves.


http://www.slowboyracing.com//img/Power%20Kevlar%20Timing%20Belt.jpg
-Image courtesy of Slowboy Racing-

[AJ]

Stick with OEM Mitso for the belts. No real reason except that they are proven to work time and time again.

[Raptor]

I don't see a problem running the kevlar belt, I would only run it for the potential added saftey, I wouldn't try to go longer intervals between changes with it. That would be the biggest danger by running one I would think. Too much confidence in it and you could end up with those bent valves you were referring too.

It might be a really wise choice if you are running a lot of spring pressure and an agressive cam as well, the factory timing belt was not designed with those considerations in mind.

[1ViciousGSX]

I put the Mitsu belt on mine. Plenty of people go extremely fast on most aftermarket cams and the Mitsu belt without it breaking or stripping. I think most stripping of the belt teeth come from a loose or under tensioned belt. If you run a very radical cam (high lift, short duration) you may want the stronger belt. The HKS cams don't really add that much pressure, if any on the belt.

[TheBlizzard]

I would stick with Mitsu. I agree with Mike. Getting a belt that lasts longer might make you neglect other parts like the water pump ect also. So I would stick with whats proven.

CRAIG

[JET]

I have heard of a few people running the PWR, but they don't have a lot of miles on them yet. The only mitsu belts I have seen problems with were old ones that should have been changed. Mike brought up another possibility with the misadjusted belts too. I would go Mitsu.

[Alpine TSi]

Wasn't there a T-Belt out there that offered a lifetime warranty on it? Something like under 60K, they cover anything within reason related to damage caused by the belt breaking, and after 60K they covered the belt only. I swear I remember hearing something like that.

[niterydr]

It wouldn't be a bad idea, but I would still change them out every 60k.

[Jakey]

I definitely plan on changing on at least every 60k if not sooner but I want to expore all options for belts.

[Kracka]

Wasn't there a T-Belt out there that offered a lifetime warranty on it? Something like under 60K, they cover anything within reason related to damage caused by the belt breaking, and after 60K they covered the belt only. I swear I remember hearing something like that.

Goodyear offers that warranty on their timing belts. I am not sure if that only applies when a shop installs it or if it would still be valid when doing the work yourself.