Hello everyone,
Just a quick question. I was talking to a mitsu mechanic last week about timing belts and from what he told me is that the stock Evo 9 timing belt has Kevlar in it but the Evo 8 doesn't. Any truth to that? Because I'm planning on getting a stock belt once I do my cams.
Thanks in advance,
Ben

 

I've heard that too. Honestly, if you have a IX, and you're buying parts, I would DEFINITLY only buy OEM/Aftermarket IX parts! Parts like the oil pan on an VIII, is slightly different than a IX. I personally went with an HKS timing belt, etc.

 

Aren't the service intervals the same? If so, does it matter what its made of if it only lasts the same amount of time?

 

I guess so. I was just wondering because I was reading a lot of posts in evom saying stick with OEM because the Kevlar belts ruin the oil pump due to not having much flexibility compare to the OEM.

Also can someone point me in the right direction. My car just hit 47k and I'm doing the whole valve spring, cams, and arp head studs. I talked to my mechanic and he said since we are in there let's change the timing belt as well but didn't mention anything about the pullys. Should I just change the timing belt and leave the pullys and the rest for once I reach 60k or should I just do it? My car is not a DD car. Also I'm a little tight on money due to buying all the parts. So what do you guys recomend? Should I just do the belt and the pullys or should I just use the old belt for another 13k and do the 60k maintenance then?
Thanks for my confusing question

 

yeah, the timing belt was upgraded from the old 8 belt. I compared it to the gates blue belt I did a few thousand miles ago, and it felt exactly the same. very little wear on the mitsu belt after 65,000 miles. I did the first one at 60k, and just did the second one at 135k. I did all the pulleys at 135k, but, to be honest, they all felt and spun fine. if you are really worried about the pulleys, I would do the timing ones, and do the outer ones later. in my opinion, I would do it now, unless you want to pay for labor twice.

 

My HKS 'belts are all fine, with no issues with the oil pump, etc. I changed to HKS 'belts 48K miles ago with absolutely no issues. I would do ALL your pulleys, tensioners when you're doing the belts. Start with a 'clean slate'. One less thing(s) to think about later on!

 

So is it ok to get OEM Evo 9 timing and balancer belt and go with gates pullys? How many people are running that kind of a set up and how long have they been on it? In other words are gates pullys reliable?
Thanks,
Ben

 

I don't see why not....

I just did my whole timing side since I was putting head studs the proper way. I am running the Gates racing belt (Both main timing belt and balance belt). All with OEM pulleys. All are new except the one that requires to remove the power steering pump.

Just buy the whole timing kit set from MAP. Comes with the gates belt(s), pulleys, OEM auto tensioner and water pump. Make sure you get the right tension on both belts or your ****'s going to prematurely wear and make noise.

Down fall for the gates belt is its not black... its blue.... I got mine dirty from my hands. Everything looks clean except my belt haha. Probably going to order a upper timing belt cover soon.

 

Gates is good stuff, running it myself and they are an OEM manufacturer--maybe not for mitsu but none the less.