ErichCS

I am getting ready to buy some parts to complete my first belt job on my car. I got to wondering if all timing belts (and balance shaft belts) are the same, or are certain brands that are better or stronger than others?

Thanks a lot!
Erich

seb928s

There are a few brands out there. I think conti is used the most.

ErichCS

That's good to hear, i'll look for that one this afternoon. Since i am sitting in a research lab for the summer i was thinking it would be interesting, yet near impossible, to try and see if there is any correlation with timing belt failure and the brand of belt....eh nevermind
Erich

dgz924s

Yes!
I have the Conti but also have another one w/no name I can tell. And I can assure you it is very flimsy. Much thinner( backing-thinnest portion of the belt.)

So Erich yes there are differences! I can ship it to you for a visual comparison to the Conti if you wish.

Dal

ErichCS

Thanks Dal. That's a very interesting point you mention about the flimsy no-name one. I would assume such a belt would be not as strong and therefore more likely to snap. I will be sure to order a conti or other major name brand....

Thanks all!
Erich

tod84944

The Cont. belt is the only one I use. I put a off brand from Vertex on, and it wined so much, my neighbor asked me if I put a turbo on the car!!! The off brand belts sometimes have trouble stretching out too much way too soon.

Mongo

Stick with Coni or Porsche OE (notice how I said Porsche OE, not OEM)

ErichCS

Great guys thanks so much for the advice....
-Erich

Bill

I second what TheStig says. I only use Porsche OE for this part. Not worth the risk. And another thing to note, there are different belt widths. The 4 valve heads use a wider/thicker belt. I have seen parts houses give out the wrong belt.

ErichCS

Who has the Conti belt for a decent price? Or are they all around 30 bucks? And the balance shaft belt seems to be listed around $40.

This is my first time doing this job myself and i'm just wondering who has the best price, Paragon is first on my list unless somebody knows cheaper.
Thanks!
Erich

MM951

Paragon has the Conti belt for $12

I'm getting ready to do this too..keeping my fingers crossed the car doenst snap its belt before I get em (june 27th!)

Mike

PS: Paragon also ships DAMN fast!! Helpful too

ErichCS

True! I just rechecked the website to check for the brand name, and that is correct they have the ContiTech for 12 bucks. Good Luck with the job mike, i'll be doing mine next weekend if i have the belts.

Erich

Charlie944

IMHO the Gates PowerGrip belt that is made in the UK (Porsche OE) is better constructed than the ContiTech. I had a Conti break on my 84' early this year and the belt only had 17k on it. I use the P9201 tool and follow the factory procedure and at regular intervals. I noticed the Gates belt has better rubber covering on the underside of the belt whereas with the Conti the chords were definitely more visible. For the extra $$ I go with the Gates belt. Paragon sells them as well. Search for my thread about the Timing belt breaking...I posted pictures as well.

Some have luck with the Conti....I on the other hand did not. I would hate for you to have a catastrophe like I did Erich.

ErichCS

Interesting, you mentioned yours broke with 17K, how old was it and how was the car driven (track)? You're the first person to say anything bad about these belts...
Erich

dgz924s

Erich
Not to disagree with Charlie but there are many areas that can catch/rub the belt as I have just now discovered so I am back at it redoing mine. It took a week to discover my rub and had it gone as is it would snap as did his. All it takes is a minor snagging of a tooth to develop a crack etc. So perhaps he had an unknown rub on the rear/front cover or on the belt guard that is in between the WP and belt. A tensioner could of backed out loosening the belt causing a problem/break.

Could of been a bad belt new as he had but I would be more inclined that some other reason caused his belt break.

Just another consideration to go on.

The Conti I just replaced is 15 grand over due and in fine shape still.

Dal