hey guys, just a free tip for all the vortech 3.12 pulley owners. if you have ever had any issue with belt slipping, which i am sure you have. we figured out a little trick that will take care of that.

if someone already posted this ever, sorry, just trying to be helpful...


Ok, go to NAPA and buy a new gates belt, i think the part number is 060923, just look at your current belt, most people are using a 93 inch 6 rib that i think the part number is 060930. this new belt is A LOT smaller and doesnt seem like it will go on, the specs on their sheet at NAPA say the belt is 92 7/8s but i dont think that is right.

Its kind of a pain but you will be happy with it, the belt is tighter with NO tensioner than the 93 tightened all the way down.

ok, remove old belt, if you dont know how to do this then you probably shouldnt be trying this yourself. take out the 12mm bolt on the top of the powersteering pump, pry the power steering pump to the right so it will give you a lot more slack on the route of the new belt. then take out the top pulley on the three pulleys that bolt to the bracket. i think its a 19mm. once removed, the new belt will go on, you might need some help from a friend. then once you have the belt on the correct route, put the top pulley back on, be carefull not to drop any of the parts, then using a pry bar, pry the powersteering pump back into place. tighten tensioner. (this belt wont slip)


DONE!! just a helpful tip from the guys at Performance Factory.

 

Subbed for future info. But I know youll hook me up J! LOL!

 

I was able to get a 93 inch NAPA [or Gates ] belt tight enough with the tentioner . That when you flicked it , it sounded like a rubber band...lol....boiiiing !!!!

 

Interesting.

 

Over-tight is a recipe for premature failure though. Keep us updated on how long it lasts.

-Mark

 

If the belt slips... it's not over-tight

 

I was referring to the OP's solution.

 

We are talking about an 1/8" here. I doubt that is going to contribute to belt failure. If the belt is slipping with a 93" then it's not doing a damn bit of good. If that extra 1/8" eliminates the slipping, then it sounds like it was just the right size belt. I am heading to Performance Factory tonight for the belt swap.

 

If I didn't just change my belt and pulley, I'd try this out now.

 

the belt is 93 inches long, the tensioner only has about 4 inches of travel to push up on the belt. 93 is jjuusst a bit to long where the tensioner is maxed out with 50/50 results so far.


a 93 inch belt will stretch quite a bit.

 

more evil sarcasm from you...

 

diagram? my 93" is tight enough... i have to switch to gates soon dow.

 

No, I was being serious. I'm over that last thread like it was last year..

-Mark

 

Such anger...

 

the belts are usually tight enough when they are new but the tensioner is pretty maxed out. after a couple months, the belt stretches and you have no way of tightening it...

thanks guys!!

 

Jeremy...I found with the 93 inch Gates [ or NAPA ] I had plenty of adjustment with the tentioner . Like I said , I could get it tight enough to sound like a rubber band thats tight .. with a BOOOOIIIING sound . I had tried the belt size you mention with a 2.87 pulley . It was just a tad short and with your suggestion should go on .
I think people get a little carried away with tighting thier belts up .But you can do a little test to find out if your belt is slipping or if tightening up tigter and tighter helps .

Do a run or two in 3rd to redline . [ to warm up the belts ] Then do another and log the boost and rpm's . Go tighten that belt up some more . Log another run or two and compare from the first log . If the boost is lower or flattens out in the first run and not the second....it needed to be tightened . If they both are the same with no problems , you now have the belt a little to tight and are putting more wear on the bearings in the Alt. and power steering pulleys .

 

Jeremy installed the 060923 (92-1/8") belt today. All I can say is WOW!!! what a difference. I would definitely suggest this belt.

 

its hit or miss booger, i swear that the plate that everything mounts on isnt the same for all vortechs, some belts go on way easier than others with the same setup.


just some knowledge i figured i would share!!

 

can you pm me a price for a vortech kit shipped to 29630, looking for a mid august delivery.

Do you suggest tuner it with cjm/utec, what would be the price on that.

 

i say you bring the car to me for a couple days!!


send me a pm or call me and i will hook you up