Which belt brand to use?

[ChasR]

This is a question on other forums, and generally Dayco and Gates kits with INA tensioners are considered to be safe bets on cars

What is the score on Porsches? Should we all use genuine kits (Something I know a few specialists near me do not do bar PCT (including some respected ones)), or is there a preference out of the Dayco kit (GSF supplied), ContiTech (ECP) or Gates available from most motorfactors?

 

[sawood12]

What's wrong with OEM belts? They are perfectly safe. What are the benefit of these aftermarket kits? Do these other belts have longer replacement intervals? If so can you really trust them when the clock clicks over to 40,001 miles since last replacement given there are not many 944's out there with aftermarket kits so they are completely unproven? (I chickened out with my Focus at 95kmiles against a 100k mile replacement interval even though Ford say they are perfectly good for 100k miles) And with the OEM belts coming in at about £10 then these aftermarket ones can't be any cheaper so it can't be a cost issue. Struggle to see any real benefit unless they are proven to last at least twice as long.

If there were thousands of people out there running them with a 100% record over 10yrs or more then it would be a no-brainer.

 

[Neil Haughey]

I thought the OEM belt manufacturer was Continental?

 

[ChasR]

ORIGINAL: sawood12

What's wrong with OEM belts? They are perfectly safe. What are the benefit of these aftermarket kits? Do these other belts have longer replacement intervals? If so can you really trust them when the clock clicks over to 40,001 miles since last replacement given there are not many 944's out there with aftermarket kits so they are completely unproven? (I chickened out with my Focus at 95kmiles against a 100k mile replacement interval even though Ford say they are perfectly good for 100k miles) And with the OEM belts coming in at about £10 then these aftermarket ones can't be any cheaper so it can't be a cost issue. Struggle to see any real benefit unless they are proven to last at least twice as long.

If there were thousands of people out there running them with a 100% record over 10yrs or more then it would be a no-brainer.

I thought I was looking at £500 minimum for a belts from OPC (and tensioners) from a few posts on here hence my question with quite a few members (and specialists) using aftermarket kits (Hands up those who have OPC clutches on their car). With an engine swap, it's still quite a big bill to swallow ( I will be changing all of the 5 rollers and belts). Maybe I'll try another OPC.

PCT quoted me £100 on just the belt prices claiming the tensioners would be fine so I don't know where £10 came from for the two belts (if you can get them that cheap, let me know .)

ORIGINAL: Neil Haughey

I thought the OEM belt manufacturer was Continental?

That would be the Continental ContiTech belt I assume then that ECP and Beryln spares sell.

 

[vitesse]

I used Gates belts when I changed them 2 yrs ago-belts are made to a British or European Standard& I wouldn't think there is much to choose between well known manufacturer's quality.Gates sell into the car aftermarket & are one of the biggest manufacturers-I think I paid around £27 inc VAT for the 2.

 

[sawood12]

About 3 yrs ago the timing belt for was £10+ vat and a balance shaft belt was £35.00+vat at the OEM. No need to changed idlers every belt change interval. £500 will see your belts fitted at a decent specialists.