I wanted to post this because I wanted to avoid all of the “other” comments, and really receive some good feedback on this part. I don’t want this to include the “you don’t need it” comments, just a discussion of the pro’s and con’s of the piece itself.

http://www.dynamicturbo.com/products.php?p_cat=353

So, what I am interested in is the BLE solid timing belt tensioner. It is basically a machined aluminum block that uses a bolt (with a rounded end) to where you can manually set the timing belt tension by simply turning the bolt. Now, the reason I am possibly interested in this is because I already have a HKS timing belt with a balance shaft belt as well. Now, because the aftermarket super strong belts are not suppose to stretch (?), would this be a good modification to set the tension, and not have to worry about it? The OEM tensioner, takes out the timing belt slack, as well as accommodate any stretching taking place with the OEM belt. So, with a timing belt that doesn’t stretch (as much), would this piece be of benefit?
I wanted to post it here in advanced because with me being a mechanical engineer, it is easy for me to see the pro’s and con’s with this piece. I understand what it does, how it works etc.. But the difference in operation, and set-up etc. of this piece vs. OEM (in terms of pro’s vs. con’s) is where I can’t pick a side. I think it’s a cool piece, but obviously am not going to buy it because it’s a “cool piece”. But, if Some of the tech guru’s out there can agree and help me pick to use it or not, then I will make my decision.

Now, using with an HKS belt, (Pro’s / con’s don’t apply with a OEM belt because it does stretch) here is what I came up with:

Pro’s:
1. Don’t have to worry about failure (Unless the bolt backs out, but it does have locknuts)
2. Set how tight you want the belt manually
3. Price is pretty nice at $105.91 from website listed above

Con’s:
1. Doesn’t accommodate any stretch that the belt *does* have (How much realistically are we talking?)
2. Manual adjustment (A lot of work for a simple readjustment, if needed)
3. No real feedback found.

So, with all of that said, lets discuss and see what kind of idea’s / opinions we can come up with.

 

price should never be a pro even if it was a penny, unless you goal was to spend as much money as possible

 

didn't really care for the solid lifters they produced. not sure if this would be any better or not. still don't understand why mitsu uses the hydraulic on anyway

 

I didn't mean it the way you took it, I think. I meant the price was a pro only because it was roughly the same as the OEM, so you wouldn't have to spend more to get something that can *do the same thing.*

I probably should have clarified that statement a little better.

 

Anyone?

 

I think i would personally go w/ the stock one. I would imagine the belt would flex over time slightly

 

But, that might be the beauty of the piece too, is that you can get in there and reset the tension to accomodate. I can't see even the super strong belts not stretching a little bit over time, so you would have to at least accomodate for that.

But, on the other hand, the stock would accomodate for it automatically.

But, this piece would never really "fail" other than the bolt backing out. Your tension, after setting it, the bolt would never "back out" thus always keeping a certain tension on the belt where as if the stock one failed, it would retract all the way and cause your belt to slip and possibly fall off.

A benefit of this piece? I dunno.....

 

Morning Bump for the early guys...

 

There's no way in hell I would use a solid tensioner on a car that was engineered to have a hydraulic tensioner. They are hydraulic for a reason!

Why go against millions of dollars and countless hours of engineering done by one of the largest companies in the world?

 

That's just ignorant thinking dude. Lets substitute in a few things that we EVO guys do on a normal basis:

Read Below:


Another:


Another:



Should I keep going?

Give me more constructive feedback.

 

I'll be honest with you, for this being in the "advanced forum" your rebuttals to this topic are weak.

There is a significant difference from an engineering standpoint when it comes to the valve timing system on a car versus the turbo, IC pipe, etc. Honestly, For a street car, I don't think Mitsu could have done any better on the turbo they've equipped the car with, yes others could make more power, but as far as power delivery and driveability it's hard to improve upon.

Anyway, back on topic...

Belts stretch, period. I don't care what they're made of. If they never stretched and the rubber never degraded, they'd never need to be replaced. That simply isn't the case. A kevlar lined belt may stretch less or more slowly, but it will stretch.

The beauty of the factory hydraulic tensioner, besides the fact that it constantly readjusts for a stretching belt, is also the fact that is applies the correct tension from the get-go. There is no section in the factory manual to deflect the cam timing belt x distance with y force to determine if tension is correct. You simply pull the pin out of the tensioner and it applies the correct force. Who is to determine the correct preload with this manual tensioner?

The ONLY upside I see to this piece is what was already mentioned. It can't fail... however, I have never seen a stock tensioner fail so this point holds little weight to me.

The potential to overtension/undertension at installation...
The potential to not readjust soon enough after installation for belt stretch...
The labor intensity of doing a readjust...

...are all big enough points IMO that this simply shouldn't be used in any application with the exception of a dedicated race car running such an aggressive cam/valvespring setup that would simply stress the belt so much as to compress the factory tensioner. Those cases are FEW and FAR between.

- Steve

P.S. - It was once believed that the hydraulic lifters were no good for use over 8000RPM... they're now being taken to 10k+. Just because a part was designed with self-adjustment in mind doesn't mean it's a bad thing. I mean, your parking brake self adjusts, should that feature be deleted to adjust it manually? I hardly think so...

 

Just because Mitsubishi is one of the largest companies out there and spends millions on engineering and R&D, do you think they made a perfect car? NO! There always room for improvments, especially when your talking about a small area that can be refined.
Also, there has been some failures on the Tensioner (leaks), just because You haven't heard of it, dosen't mean it hasn't happened.
The Tensioner (used on Belt or Chain) in any car or truck, seems to be a weak point, usually the Bearing. Fords 4.0 SOHC, which is designed and manufactured in Germany, has had issues with there Tensioners and they use two different types of tensioners, one spring and the other hydraulic. This motor has been used in the Explorer, Ranger and now the new Mustang (6 cyl.). Not comparing Ford with Mitsubishi, just an example on Tensioner failures.
I would like to hear some real experiences with this Tensioner, not just opinions.

 

I wasn't going to say this earlier, but it seems like the members that have posted here that "want to know" about this product have already made up their minds that it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. It seem that no matter what opinions or evidence are presented otherwise they will not be swayed in their thinking.

Which then begs the question... why ask?

 

Defensive?

Whoooosha, Whoooosha

Or Puff Puff Pass, which ever floats your boat...

 

No

No

And DEFINATELY No

And if you take your responses out of this thread, my responses still apply. I was in no way directing anything towards you. If anything, you are getting defensive and need to chill.