E30 Zone

Anyone had any experience using these? Worth doing if doing a belt change anyway? Or just a gimik?

http://www.bimmerheads.com

That link takes you to the home page.

Never used a Kevlar based Timing belt in an automotive scenario before, but I use them ALOT on power transmission systems (High torque/Low RPM electric motor driven systems) and they are good......

Worth doing then you rekon? Cheers for sorting that link cook318is. Im trying to do it on my phone, pain is the arse.

Erm......Down to yourself really. If you drive your car hard, then yes, its worth using one.

Ive never heard of a standard conti tech (OEM BMW) belt breaking that was changed at the correct intervals.

bss325i wrote:Ive never heard of a standard conti tech (OEM BMW) belt breaking that was changed at the correct intervals.

Exactly! It's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

I've heard them recommended for Fiat twin cams by Guy Croft.

Probably a good idea because fiat twincams have notioriously weak belts with short change intervals. I upgraded my lancia to evo pulleys and belts and still changed it every year for the £20 a belt cost after reading too many horror stories.

M20s don't seem to have a cambelt problem. In fact I don't think I've ever heard of one slipping or breaking. Personally I'd probably save my pennies and just change the standard one on a more regular basis.

Well as it happenes there is an M20B20 in my workshop with a snapped cambelt and I have seen others but we are talking way over due belts.

cost £26.42 not including shipping from usa, £15.12 for standard belt from GSF.

so if you fitted the Kevlar belt would the belt change interval be extended.


and kevlar is used in making bullet proof vests so you could say my engine is bullet proof if you had the belt fitted LOL

It doesn't seem that much more expensive than a standard belt so if would be worth trying.
Gates are good belts anyway

DMW wrote: So if you fitted the Kevlar belt would the belt change interval be extended.

I would imagine so, yes. Why not contact the manufacturer and find out for sure?

DMW wrote:so if you fitted the Kevlar belt would the belt change interval be extended.

It's described as a 'race' part. In general, real 'race' parts (as opposed to 'boy racer parts') are stronger than standard parts, but are intended to have a much shorter life than the standard part - you aren't going to be changing the belt on a race engine at 40,000 mile intervals.

The reason for a stronger belt stems from the extra force required to spin a camshaft at high speed with stronger than stock valve springs, however is does seem a stock belt will do 9k with some fairly hefty springs.