2G Best recommended timing belt?

[RPMPHX]

What is the best replacement timing belt to use in my 4g63t looking to replace this week, thanks in advance for any recommendations..

 

[XC92]

This has been covered many, many times here and elsewhere so you'd do best to search for it and see what folks have said over the years. But the consensus seems to be that OEM is usually the way to go unless money is REALLY tight or you have a high HP setup in which case a kevlar belt might be better. And OEM isn't all that expensive considering how often it's replaced, $60-$70. But lots of people use Gates and are happy with it, although not everyone has had a great experience with it.

I'm actually replacing my TB soon, because it's way past time, and am getting the EVO belt, which is made with kevlar but a perfect fit for a DSM. Almost certainly overkill for my stock setup but it's not that much more expensive and what the hell I figure, maybe I'll mod my Talon someday so better be ready. Online mitsu dealers sell it for $85-$90. The OEM belt tends to go for around $60-$70. Gates is more like $30-$40.

Realize that if it's time to replace the TB then it's generally seen as time to replace the balance belt (if your DSM still has one), all the pulleys, the hydraulic tensioner (ONLY OEM), and the water pump. Some people also replace the front seals since you have to remove all these to do that so you might as well. It might also be a good time to replace the 3 accessory belts. I'm replacing all of these on my car. Everything's past due. Snapped the alt belt yesterday in fact.

Good luck!

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Gates blue belts have never failed me. I wouldn't touch a cheaper brand of blue belt though. OEM would give you that peace of mind on a stock build or close.

 

[XC92]

Who makes a cheaper blue belt? I thought all the blue belts were Gates or better. Do you mean cheap eBay knockoff ones that aren't Kevlar but painted blue?

 

[AWD-Tony]

Budget - gates or oem. No budget HKS or Greddy.

 

[pauleyman]

Gates will not see my business again, blue or otherwise. I will run their accessory belts but not a timing belt. After dozens of installs, I would say in confidence I did not make an install error. So to have a gates balance shaft belt break on me at 50k? No thanks.
I'm going back to OEM. On my DSM I run a 40k change schedule. This last failure was on my son's lancer Ralliart 2.4. Not exactly a high hp beast.

 

[AWD-Tony]

Gates will not see my business again, blue or otherwise. I will run their accessory belts but not a timing belt. After dozens of installs, I would say in confidence I did not make an install error. So to have a gates balance shaft belt break on me at 50k? No thanks.
I'm going back to OEM. On my DSM I run a 40k change schedule. This last failure was on my son's lancer Ralliart 2.4. Not exactly a high hp beast.

I remember you post that before. Interesting because there isn’t much load on the bs belt.

 

[Sirius1995]

Evo9 oem belt

 

[XC92]

Gates will not see my business again, blue or otherwise. I will run their accessory belts but not a timing belt. After dozens of installs, I would say in confidence I did not make an install error. So to have a gates balance shaft belt break on me at 50k? No thanks.
I'm going back to OEM. On my DSM I run a 40k change schedule. This last failure was on my son's lancer Ralliart 2.4. Not exactly a high hp beast.

Yeah you were the one I was thinking of above when I said not everyone's happy with Gates. At this point I think it's OEM or better. That's what I'm getting.

Evo9 oem belt

What I'm getting. As low as $85 from online mitsu dealers, or a bit more from Bezos. Probably overkill for my setup but what the hell, I'm already way overbudget and it's not THAT much more than OEM.

 

[pauleyman]

It's a little upsetting I had to replace the head on that car. Given the most often I would replace it is 3 years I should just go to 40k on any car with a timing belt.
If it were just about anybody else but a dsmer that car would've been scrap.

 

[XC92]

Sorry about that and yes it's more than a little upsetting. Does Gates offer some sort of warranty you could apply for that would cover at least part of the cost of fixing what it damaged, or are those too hard to prove, e.g. they claim improper install, oil leak, modded car/engine, etc.?

FWIW some years ago my mom took her Camry to a local Pep Boys to fix some engine overheating issues and bad alternator. They did a total botch job and we filed a complaint with them, and several months later they fully reimbursed her for the work and she got to keep the reman alt. Luckily no damage was done to the car or engine and she had another shop fix it properly.

So, it might not hurt to try.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Who makes a cheaper blue belt? I thought all the blue belts were Gates or better. Do you mean cheap eBay knockoff ones that aren't Kevlar but painted blue?

That's exactly what I mean.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Oem for me, its one thing i dont want breaking but ive used store ones before with no issues just maintain the other parts oem. Im running a evo one now.

 

[Sirius1995]

Yeah you were the one I was thinking of above when I said not everyone's happy with Gates. At this point I think it's OEM or better. That's what I'm getting.


What I'm getting. As low as $85 from online mitsu dealers, or a bit more from Bezos. Probably overkill for my setup but what the hell, I'm already way overbudget and it's not THAT much more than OEM.

There is no budget when you have a DSM, haha
But I'm currently rebuilding my engine and I keep it stock for now, but I will use best parts I can and upgrade when I'm financially in better position, in that way I at least can be guaranteed to have a good base for add some more power eventually

 

[RPMPHX]

This has been covered many, many times here and elsewhere so you'd do best to search for it and see what folks have said over the years. But the consensus seems to be that OEM is usually the way to go unless money is REALLY tight or you have a high HP setup in which case a kevlar belt might be better. And OEM isn't all that expensive considering how often it's replaced, $60-$70. But lots of people use Gates and are happy with it, although not everyone has had a great experience with it.

I'm actually replacing my TB soon, because it's way past time, and am getting the EVO belt, which is made with kevlar but a perfect fit for a DSM. Almost certainly overkill for my stock setup but it's not that much more expensive and what the hell I figure, maybe I'll mod my Talon someday so better be ready. Online mitsu dealers sell it for $85-$90. The OEM belt tends to go for around $60-$70. Gates is more like $30-$40.

Realize that if it's time to replace the TB then it's generally seen as time to replace the balance belt (if your DSM still has one), all the pulleys, the hydraulic tensioner (ONLY OEM), and the water pump. Some people also replace the front seals since you have to remove all these to do that so you might as well. It might also be a good time to replace the 3 accessory belts. I'm replacing all of these on my car. Everything's past due. Snapped the alt belt yesterday in fact.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info, yes it's a built motor and only has 4500-5000 miles but it was done in 2009 so my concern and reason for replacement is merely time and age not so much running and miles, bored motor, rods Pistons, cams Big Turbo extensive work done to it runs like a banshee but like I said I'm looking at the time. Versus the wear and running. Is why I'm going to just replace everything and it doesn't bother me to take it all apart and do it just looking for import on the best belt to run, price-wise money is not an object in this case never is on any of my cars thank you for your input

 

[DSMPT]

All major brands would work just fine as it should. So you should select by following your preference. But if I would have to select one, my vote would be Tomei.