Timimg belt

[Efalcon]

So I am going to replace timing belt.

I have 97 gsx with 50k mi
What does everyone recommend me buy?
Also should I get a kit? Checking if its necessary right now.

Does anyone know any shops in Austin tx

 

[1davho]

I recommend the gates blue racing belt, extreme psi balance shaft eliminator kit, and new oem tensioner, tensioner pulley, and idler pulley. And new front crank seal and water pump while you are in there. All of it can be purchased on extreme psi for a descent price.

 

[Efalcon]

As far as labor how much are you thinking for cost?
I know it gets pricey for just timing belt alone.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Depends on where you go 400 dollars or grab a manual its step by step try vfaq.com best advice is to call around some shops in your area.

 

[rydereclipse]

If you taking it to a shop, more than most likely, they won't let you use parts that you bought (they make money off buying parts wholesale and installing them at retail)

If you do find a shop that will let you use parts, or doing it yourself, get OEM belts, pulleys and tensioners.

If you are getting all that done, might as well get a new water pump too. OEM.

An above poster mentioned a BSE kit and front crank seal, while a good idea to do while you are in there, I would skip doing...unless the front crank seal is leaking or you have the time and are doing it yourself.

A BSE takes considerably more work than just popping off the pulley, to do correctly IMO. You have to drop the oil pan, remove the oil pump, etc...and that is a little more involved than just a timing belt job.

The above is just my opinion, ultimately it's your car and budget, and you should do whatever you feel is necessary.

 

[Roberti 2G]

I would look for guys in the area that could help you do it yourself. I would not trust any shop touching my timing belt in less they had a reputation in the DSM community. I did my work myself with the engine in the car and just took my time an everything went smooth. I bought the gates blue belt and all new gates pulleys, and OEM tensioner from STM. I would recommend the water pump as well. I skipped mine because it was pretty much brand new at the time.

 

[Charlieee]

I would just pocket the cash and do it your self. Just make sure when you pull the grenade pin on the tensioner everything is legit. I found it scary to compress the pin back in after noticing i was a notch off.

Quick, easy, and rewarding to your wallet

 

[Efalcon]

You guys are awesome. Thanks for the advice guys. I am going to do it pretty soon. Anyone live in Austin tx or close?

 

[KrzyKorean]

I bought a Gates belt, havnt heard anything but good things about it. Id go with that. Im from Corpus Christi, building a 98 GSX with a 6-bolt swap

 

[Joethefallen23]

Fyi, you could just use an OEM Evo IX Timing belt. It's Kevlar reinforced from the factory and about $30-$40 cheaper than a Gates racing belt. Only difference is it isn't blue. Gates/GMB on the water pump. Save yourself a crap load of money vs the oem all while having OEM quality.

Part # is 1145A038 for the IX Kevlar belt and NOT the more common MD326059 for DSM/EVO I-IX-(IX obviously as well since all the belts are the same.

 

[miliman13]

see if you can find Soldiers from FT. Hood with dsm's i know of plenty , those guys taught me most of what i know, im sure they will be willing to help if you run into problems,
Many of them are here on tuners.

 

[Efalcon]

The timing belt doesn't look 16yrs old.

I would try to call the guy I bought it from but I lost the number.

What do you guys think?

 

[RamenPride]

The timing belt doesn't look 16yrs old.



What do you guys think?

It might not look 16 years old, but I would replace it anyway. The first time I had the timing belt changed, it didn't look like it had close to 60,000 miles.

 

[Efalcon]

So I was going to buy a tensioner for my car. It said 7bolt.
I see people posting about that.
Is that going to interfere with anything when I replace my belt?

 

[1davho]

Unless somebody has done the 6 bolt swap, you should have the 7 bolt engine. That should be the correct tensioner for your car.

 

[1995-tsi-awd]

I live in Fort Worth Texas. Going to do mine pretty soon and could do yours ....

I bought all new Gates high performance belts, pulleys, tensioner, wp, INSTALL KIT, Manuals....

came out to about $400-500 bucks

Not doing a bs delete or oil pump, but those should be fine. Getting her ready for the B16G.

Haven't done a 4g63 but did my brothers honda accord almost 2 years ago (he didn't change the timing belt and needed a new head) and still running great, even did a second gear chirp!

 

[Efalcon]

Where did you buy your kit?

The one on extreme psi comes out to 320$

How much would you charge to install?

 

[1995-tsi-awd]

I sourced all pn's from Gates website and bought on amazon. High performance belts are a little more. Water pump, pulleys, tensior, install tools....didn't go OEM because this isn't going to be an OEM build. (And expensive)

You need to clean out your inbox. You can't receive any more PM's. Pm me if you want me to help you out. No selling on forums

 

[4G63gst1990]

Stm sells a kit with all oem tensioners and pulleys and you can get it with 3 different belt choices

 

[Efalcon]

Okay cool.

I saw a oem water pump for 170$
Do you guys know anywhere to get them at a lower rate?

 

[WES_393]

My advice would be to get a Gates timing kit
Gates® PowerGrip® TCK167A - Timing Component Kit | O'Reilly Auto Parts

GMB Water pump
95 98 Eagle Talon Turbo TSI 2 0L DOHC Water Pump 4g63 | eBay

And reuse the hydraulic tensioner. They're made to be compressed for a reason, no need to drop another $100 on something that is likely in perfect shape.

 

[Joethefallen23]

Okay cool.

I saw a oem water pump for 170$
Do you guys know anywhere to get them at a lower rate?

Gates/GMB water pumps. Same quality, 1/3 the price.

 

[Efalcon]

Damn Wes always appreciate your advice.
That's going to save me some money.

As far as the water pump thanks for advice. I am also going to get that.

 

[1995-tsi-awd]

Just got done putting mine all back together. Pretty straight forward.

I bought the install kit which was well worth the $50 from Jay Racing

I replaced the hydraulic tensioner for peace of mind. 136k miles on the car ...

Replaced:
all belts (gates blue racing)
all pulleys
hydraulic tensioner
wp


Had a little trouble getting the hydraulic tensioner in spec, but figured it out.

Now time for some fluid maintence and then B16G time!

 

[cait sith]

I would not do a timing belt yourself if you don't know if you should have it done or not.

If you screw up you have a poorly running car at best, and bent valves/ruined pistons/screwed up block at worst.

A lot of people are pretty gung ho about doing it yourself, but if you have not a lot of mechanical experience with this motor, you are asking for some hurt.