Originally Posted by elargentino

I use a size 36 USN style "web" belt.

Originally Posted by Mike Lindsey

We have been selling the Kevlar timing belt ( we get them from Rennbay ) for about a year now. We use them on every solid lifter engine we build and engines using stiffer then stock valve springs and any other engine the customers asks our opinion on which to use.

It's like rod bearings and other parts where you have a choice for the standard, and for a better part.

Yes, there are some parts where strength or whatever doesn't matter much, such as a hood shock or distributor rotor where there are different brands to choose from. Then there are the important and critical hard working parts of the engine like belts and bearings and those better rods for those runing high boost and rpm.

We are comfortable using a Genuine Porsche rod bearing in a engine, because as far as we know, there isn't anything better. So if it fails, we won't be saying to ourself or the customer, "o well, maybe we should of spent the extra bucks and upgraded from the Glyco's". We used the best at the time. Same applies to this belt. "Should" the belt fail, for whatever reason, we won't be saying the would of, could of, should of's.

You have to go with the best information you have available to make your decisision at any time. If Gates (world leader in belts ) say's it's a better part, we will take them at their word until proven otherwise.

We carry 3 timing belts. Aftermarket, Genuine Porsche in their box (could be a Conti, Gates or other) and the Kevlar. Different prices and assumably quality levels for different customers and their needs and budgets. Just like tires to tennis shoes.

Originally Posted by CPR

YES, the Kevlar belts are WELL worth it.

Anyone who honestly thinks the OEM belts are ~OK, fine, acceptable,etc...~ are uninformed to say the least. Further, if the bitch point is "I don't want to spend and additional $75/$100 is too expensive", then I would say sell your Porsche, get a CiViC and hit the HotRod Honda forums......

Originally Posted by carlege

why? (im pretty sure thats the whole point of this thread)

Originally Posted by CPR

Why is a GT3076 better than a KKK/BW 27/8?
Why is a SS exhaust better than mild steel?
Why is Mandrel bent better than crush bends?
Why is TiAL better than a 26 year old WG?
Why is Widefire or Cometic better than Victor Rienze?
Why is Vitesse better than APE?
Why are Koni Sport Inserts better than OEM KS?
Why is SWEPCO better than OEM?
Why is 20w50 racing better than OEM reco 5w/40?
Why is......


The answer is simple. Technological advancements in materials and manufacturing allow for a superior quality product.

BTW, how many of these have you had to change?

Originally Posted by slap929

Leather is for peons. Gator is where its at. Still waiting for the gator/kevlar hybrid.

Originally Posted by JDS968

You're assuming cow leather. I wear only 100% American-grown babyhide.

Ahem. Umm anyway, still curious whether anybody knows anything about the Kevlar belts being more resistant to degradation due to fluid exposure.

Originally Posted by carlege

Ive had to change 0 of these since the engine is being built but stating that it JUST IS is stupid and provides very little insite as to WHY. Now stating what material the teeth are made of the fact they are double enforced, are all very good starting points.

BTW how many times had you gotten pissed off while working on your car and put up a for sale thread?

Originally Posted by CPR

Since you cannot follow the logic in my post:

The comparisons equate older technnology, that while adequate in its time, is now outdated and has the option of being replaced with a better built, higher quality product using advanced materials and more automated (read: uniformed) manufacturing processes.

Better?

And to answer the second question, only once. However, actually owning one has granted me some insight to have some first hand knowledge of what I am talking about instead of simply regurgitating what I have read posted by others.

Didn't really want to go there but.....

Originally Posted by Travis - sflraver

Hey Guys,

Don't listen to mark. He has absolutely no clue what he is talking about.

The factory didn't use this technology because it was not available in the 1980s. The belts offer more than just the strength of the kevlar cords, they have a much tougher tooth path than the factory spec belt.
All of you who have taken an old belt off and picked a few teeth from it know that this is the major weak point of the factory spec design. The NHBR tooth material used with the kevlar belts is the same material being used on all of the belts on new cars today. You know, the ones with 100k mile belt change intervals...
And, as far as the belts putting undue stresses on the rollers or water pumps? That statement is completely false and just plain ignorant.

Originally Posted by CPR

Why is a GT3076 better than a KKK/BW 27/8?
Why is a SS exhaust better than mild steel?
Why is Mandrel bent better than crush bends?
Why is TiAL better than a 26 year old WG?
Why is Widefire or Cometic better than Victor Rienze?
Why is Vitesse better than APE?
Why are Koni Sport Inserts better than OEM KS?
Why is SWEPCO better than OEM?
Why is 20w50 racing better than OEM reco 5w/40?
Why is......


The answer is simple. Technological advancements in materials and manufacturing allow for a superior quality product.

BTW, how many of these have you had to change?

Originally Posted by slap929

Leather is for peons. Gator is where its at. Still waiting for the gator/kevlar hybrid.

Originally Posted by ihaza944t

Nice to finally see some heat on this site!

The only thing left to argue about is the expansion, somebody should just to some tests already. If the Kevlar doesn't stretch as much as the OEM belt, why no just set it looser to begin with?