Vortech idler pulleys seizing and belts breaking

[DJCarbine]

Originally Posted by 415FRS

I got the idler pulley 38006 and its a little smaller than the one came with the kit. Did i get the correct one?

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Which dimension is smaller, diameter?
I have my old vortech pulley at home as well as a new 38006 I can measure with a caliper, but I remember all the critical measurements to be virtually identical

[415FRS]

Originally Posted by DJCarbine

Which dimension is smaller, diameter?
I have my old vortech pulley at home as well as a new 38006 I can measure with a caliper, but I remember all the critical measurements to be virtually identical

Diameter. If you stack up the two pulley, you can see the old one is a little bigger. I installed it anyway with the new belt K060970. Its running fine tho.

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[sissupr]

Can someone tell me if this right before I place some orders...

3.12 pulley w/ Gates K060966 belt + idler pulley 38006

Is there a racing or another brand belt I should consider?

[MATTrocity]

I replaced the belt with the blue gates belt and it's still getting tore up. My idler pulley definitely isn't melting. Could the pulleys be out of alignment?

@charged86 @Dezoris

[DJCarbine]

Remove the belt with a pair of snips, then get some good lighting and start to visually inspect the pulley alignment.


What length belt are you using? I would ditch the plastic idler pulley next to the SC while you are in there.


you don't happen to use flatfoot shifting do you?

[Dezoris]

It looks like that belt jumped or was not on Properly. Definately alignment.

[AJPG]

Originally Posted by Dezoris

It looks like that belt jumped or was not on Properly. Definately alignment.

Completely agree!

Even with the wrong size belt it shouldn't happen... At least for some time.

I change the pulley 3.48 to 3.125, didn't change the belt size and it would hold until every oil change, also didn't see any measurable difference in PSI... That did drop with the complete exhaust (from header to tips) +/- 1.5 PSI drop. Anyway looking for my lost PSI to be 100% sure is not a leak.

[MATTrocity]

I used the Gates K060975RB Blue Racing Micro-V Belt.

No flatfoot shifting.

Anything specific I can look for when verifying alignment? Just flush with each other? Other tips?

Thanks guys for the help of a noob.

[charged86]

Originally Posted by MATTrocity

I used the Gates K060975RB Blue Racing Micro-V Belt.

No flatfoot shifting.

Anything specific I can look for when verifying alignment? Just flush with each other? Other tips?

Thanks guys for the help of a noob.

might have not been on correctly the first time and then jumped a groove cut that belt off check all pulleys for wiggling and or retorque. and after that eyeball every thing to see if they are in line.

[kinryu]

Hi guys I have the racing belt for the Vortech for sale. If needed please pm me

[kiichiro]

Originally Posted by kinryu

Hi guys I have the racing belt for the Vortech for sale. If needed please pm me

Uh what do u mean racing belt?

[kinryu]

Originally Posted by kiichiro

Uh what do u mean racing belt?

Its the gates blue belt. Its more durable and stronger than the original belt. Google racing belt and it'll be blue. Its size is meant for the FRS with the original Vortech set up.Gates K060975RB Blue Racing Micro-V Belt.

[kinryu]

Originally Posted by MATTrocity

I used the Gates K060975RB Blue Racing Micro-V Belt.

No flatfoot shifting.

Anything specific I can look for when verifying alignment? Just flush with each other? Other tips?

Thanks guys for the help of a noob.

Did u make sure the bracket adapter holding the alternater to the engine is tight? It comes in the vortechvkit

[kiichiro]

So far I have most success running the Dayco 89003 idler that originally came it's the kit, the metal alternative seems stout but presents heat issues in that it retains heat, is a steel pulley. The composite lets the system run cooler, check it with a ir gun and u see what I mean

I have had success running the 3.33 pulley on track, any think smaller makes me over 12 psi and allows my ebcs to build boost the way it's designed but this puts a strain on belt life under road course track conditions

You can daily drive the 3.33 and see upwards of 50k miles of belt life
The smaller pulley options are great for dyno days, but IMHO we need to go to a 8 rib setup to effectively run smaller than 3.33 on a race track, that's my feedback as a tester

I can tear up a new belt in under one session on the 2.87 and yeah I have tested this repeatedly and have no skin on my knuckles to prove it,lol


That said vortechh engineering and tech support for me have been outstanding, the new race spec compressor has held up to serious abuse
It's a amazing bit of kit, and I would go as far as saying the limit is the belt

Robispec radiator oil cooler makes heat a complete non issue in my car in phx on the track that's friggin nuts btw

So...
I strongly recommend it for anyone running hard, it's awesome with the hd bearing
The street kit is just that if you ask me, perfect for street