Mustang Timing Belt Vs. The Chain!

[TenorPlayinGuy]

I'm building up a nice 500hp Minimum block, and when I get to the valvetrain, I stumble across some interesting facts for my timing gear/chain/belt solutions. Gears are a bit noisier, but almost never fail; the chains are a bit better at dampening vibrations, and do stretch over time. Then the belts are the best at removing harmonic vibrations and also stretch and are better than chains. Has anyone used a belt?

any pro's and con's that I'm missing?

Thanks fellas for any feedback ont he matter.

 

[93 LX]

You can get gear drive that isnt noisy. Jackson uses straight cut gears so they do make a ton of noise. You want gears cut like rear end gears, I think its call sprial cut gears, they are quite. Timing chains do stretch but they are a tried and true item. Belts wear out and with the way the timing set up is on a SBF you would have to remove the water pump and I hear they are not reccomended for a street car, not sure why but what the hey! LOL

 

[Mustang5L5]

CHAIN FTW

Belts require too much maintainence and jump. Granted I don't think you'd be daily driving that setup (or maybe you would) but i'd rather have the durability of a chain over a belt any day

 

[TenorPlayinGuy]

Not to mention the cost, holy moly! The most expensive Chain I could find was around $200 for the CompCams Adjustable one, A DannyBee Belt system costs over $700, that made my decision right there. HAHA. I'll just get a Good ol' Billet timing chain set, This would be a daily driven Blown stang. I just want a way more smooth motor than what I am running.

I will look into the Helical cut gears though, Gotta find people who have them to hear their input.

 

[95Vert383AOD]

Yeah when Chains wear out they stretch...when belts wear out they break!!! I wouldn't want even the slightest chance of my pistons making contact with my valves. Ill take a lil noise....Then again the rockers are louder than the chain. Like mentioned before the timing is sound insulated by a thick timing cover and pump. Now if it was a chevy with a stamped steel cover and a pump that didn't rest against the cover you might hear the chain. Most folks dont use the belt to reduce noise but rather the harmonics/ vibration thats transferred to the cam and valvetrain.

Chris

 

[Duncan McDougal]

Not to mention the cost, holy moly! The most expensive Chain I could find was around $200 for the CompCams Adjustable one, A DannyBee Belt system costs over $700, that made my decision right there. HAHA. I'll just get a Good ol' Billet timing chain set, This would be a daily driven Blown stang. I just want a way more smooth motor than what I am running.

I will look into the Helical cut gears though, Gotta find people who have them to hear their input.

If you are thinking about a gear to gear setup, you need to go to sbf tech.com they have a lot of info on this type of setup. From what i have learned, you should stay away from gear to gear.

 

[TenorPlayinGuy]

Yes if I went with a belt it would be only for the harmonic dampening bonus.

Noise is never an issue, currently the two noises that annoy me are the fan, and the exhaust leak at my #8 exhaust port. So the current drivetrain is not too loud at all.

 

[PJC Racing]

With today's technology in timing chains, running a gear drive would be just a novelty.

 

[Mustang5L5]

It does sound pretty cool though...on someone elses car. I would get sick of that whining after 10 mins.

 

[TenorPlayinGuy]

I heard it sounds like a noisy blower. Kinda defeats the purpose since I bought a SQ Blower to keep her quiet.