Cam Belt Lifespan

[marky]

I think it depends on what you are doing with the car. If I was going to do track days or was intending to drive the car persistently at higher engine speeds I would definitely go for the most expensive belt. Driving the car on the road with occasional use high engine speeds is a different matter.

About three years ago I had thousands of pounds worth of work done by SJ as part of my restoration of the car. I asked them to change the cam belt and assumed they would put the Lotus belt on which I would have been happy to pay for. They did in fact put the non Lotus belt on which in my view shows their confidence in the quality of the belt.

As previously stated the belt has now done nearly 12000 miles and is still in perfect condition.

No way are any of the main Lotus dealers going to sell you a belt which is not up to the job.

However if I was going to thrash the hell out of the car on a regular basis I would go for the most expensive belt just in case.


Mark.

[MrCoolA]

I paid £26 for a gates belt.

[marky]

I paid more than that for the non-Lotus belt

Mark.

[fueltheburn]

Price of rubber and synthetic products has shot up recently.
It wasnt publicised but there was a world shortage of rubber last year where there was only 2 months supply left worldwide.
Cost of many types of belts has gone up by around 50% as a result.

[MrCoolA]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GATES-5168NS- ... SwHjNV~TCR

Try this.

[CHRISYD]

I paid £26 for a gates belt.

I remember you telling us about that. I looked at them also and nearly had one, but then I thought how old the belt might be and how long its been "on the shelf" and if that might affect the rubber.

[MrCoolA]

I paid £26 for a gates belt.

I remember you telling us about that. I looked at them also and nearly had one, but then I thought how old the belt might be and how long its been "on the shelf" and if that might affect the rubber.

So paying 3x the price means IT aint old stock? Just remember that a lot of parties up the price coz it is for lotus. I've run this belt twice now and no issues, trust me I have spent an awful lot on my engine and wouldn't cut corners.

If u don't like that price try this http://www.qualityparts-uk.co.uk/5168ns ... 168ns.html

[Tanz]

SJ Sports cars offer 3 belts for high compression engines. A Gates belt at £96, a Lotus belt at £69.88 and 'Steve's alternative' at £29.50 all plus VAT. It's a big difference in price but is there any difference in quality? Guess the Gates is going to be competition quality.

I purchased the cheap £29.50 belt which was delivered today. Identical to the one I have just taken of,f Gates Power Grip HTD so happy with that. Also got a new tensioner bearing as I have only changed that once since owning the car. Was pleased to see it was made by a well known bearing manufacturer SKF. A couple of years ago, I understand there was some bearings in the supply chain that had no manufacturer marked on them and a couple of people on here reported noise from the bearing.On the other hand there are a lot of copies of bearings out there which are even marked with manufacturers names in realistic looking boxes. I know as I work for Timken bearings and copies are a big problem.