We now have kevlar reinforced racing timing belts available for the 8 valve Porsche 944. The belts are 3 times stronger than regular timing belts, they have superior heat / oil resistance and they do not stretch.
We took the Gates Racing heavy duty belt technology and adapted it for use with the Porsche 944. The belts do cost a little more than your standard timing belt but it is a small price to pay for added insurance against a costly timing belt failure.
As always, Rennbay is offering a 1 day sale on this new product. I wish I could discount it more but we are just lucky to have these belts available for our cars. They come in 3 different kits.

1: The Early (83-86) Timing Belt Kit **46mm WPR Version**

• Racing Timing Belt
• Gates Balance Shaft Belt
• Roller Kit

Regular Price: $285
Sale Price:: $260


2: The Late (87+) Timing Belt Kit

• Racing Timing Belt
• Gates Balance Shaft Belt
• Roller Kit

Regular Price: $285
Sale Price:: $260


3: Belts Only Kit

• Racing Timing Belt
• Gates Balance Shaft Belt

Regular Price: $179
Sale Price:: $164


Sale ends tomorrow, Tuesday March 17th, @ 6pm ET. Belt kits are on the shelf and ready to ship.

Let me know if anyone has any questions.

 

Whats the lifespan on these compared to the normal one?

 

What is the recommended replacement mileage?
What is the recommended replacement regardless of mileage?

thanks,

 

Gates has had the system in use for some time now but they stick to the "factory service life" mainly because of the other components in the timing system.
While doing research before jumping head first into this I was unable to find one instance of a Gates Racing timing belt failure on any of the models they produce belts for. It was enough to convince me. Most of the models they support are imports running turbo kits that are putting out much greater horsepower numbers than the engines were ever designed for.
There have always been reports of premature timing belt failures on the Porsche 944 for one reason or another. It is one of the reasons why we, as 944 owners, are so meticulous about timing belt maintenance. The added insurance against a costly timing belt failure that this system provides is well worth the extra money even if you still change it out at the factory intervals.

 

Do these still require the same retension intervals if they do not stretch?

Very interesting.. nice to see some relativley new technology be applied to our old *** cars. Another 10k miles until i need to change my belts, ill have to check one of these out.

 

Yeah.. agian, Gates Racing still covers itself by recomending all factory installation procedures including the retsion but... it is unlikely any adjustment will be needed. Just a quck double check.

 

I want the Kevlar belt ... I just ordered the regular belt last week -- order is still processing, can I change my order today?! I've sent a message to your customer service desk. I will also try to call today...

 

yeah I gota order mine within next 2 weeks or so, this is definetly interesting; mine has updated pump, I still get the 1st kit right?

thank you!

 

Yep, the early kit has rollers for cars thru 1986 (no autotensioner) that also have the updated (46mm) waterpump. I didn't bother putting a kit together for the old style waterpump because I find that most people have updated by now. If someone was stuck on using the old style pump, we offer the belts "À la carte."

 

I'm sending you a PM ...

 

Any chance these are available for the 1.8T? I'll be having a summer T-Belt/Waterpump festival at my house for the A4 and my 944.

The reading the procedure for the A4 it looks like 2x the stuff needs to be removed compared to the 944. Oh well, at least I won't be paying the dealer $2400 for that service!

 

I just checked on that and, amazingly enough, they do not have them in the 1.8T config. That would be a no-brainer if you ask me.

 

I have used Gates belts on other cars before and can say that they quality was excellent...to bad I just did belts/rollers/seals/hoses.

 

Rennbay and Travis is a great vendor. He changed my past order on the original belt to the Gates belts minutes after he read my concern. Once again, thank you Travis! I've always wanted a belt that will allow me to sleep at night.