501X / 501X WE / DB01 Drive belts
 

Excuse the stupid question, ('Search' has failed me on this one!) but...

Are the drive belts the same for all three models? afaik they're all 369mm but is there a difference in width / tooth profile ???

Or to look at it another way, can the re-inforced DB01 belt (Tamiya part 54140) be used on the 'normal' 501x? (i.e. not the WE car)

Also, any downside to using the re-inforced belts? only thing I could possibly think of is that the stronger belt might increase the chance of damage elsewhere in the gear train in the event of something getting stuck / breaking? (Whereas the standard belt would just snap?) :confused:

I believe the 369mm belt is universal for all the models you mentioned + the 511. The 511 is equipped with the reinforced belts you mention and they have never failed on me or contributed to other breakage. The left center pulley (the rear belt) on my 511 has been changed twice in 2 years due to wear, thats it. All the other pulleys still work fine. Adjust your slipper accordingly and you should not see drivetrain failure (cept for spur gears every now and then).

Just have to agree with Jan Larsen, the normal drive belt (53987) and the Reinforced Drive belt (54140) will both fit on the Tamiya DB01, DB01R, TRF501X, TRF501X WE, TRF511.
I highly recommend to use the reinforced one. even the normal one seems to last forever but the reinforced one has the advantage that it doesn´t get that much longer as the normal belt does. After a few runs you might have to adjust the normal belts tension but i never had to adjust the reinforced one, that´s all.
Length and tooth profile is the same.

Doesn't the TRF501X (non worlds version) use different belts, hence why Jimmy bought some in his 'Big Belt Pulley conversion' report? http://www.oople.com/rc/photos/cars/501x/bigbelts/

TRF501X belts are 363mm according to this --> http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tamiya-51285-R...item4cf46d2279

The 501X that I have definitely has 369mm belts. Must confess though - haven't checked which pulleys it's got yet :blush: (I have only just bought it!)

501X had 16T center and 36T rear diff pulley and 35T front (black one).
363 mm belts.
The 36T pulley does´nt have openings (like the 37T has) and uses 8 diff balls.
36T pulley:
http://i.ebayimg.com/19/!Bz5)2mgB2k~...pTeB7Q~~_3.JPG

37T pulley:
http://i.ebayimg.com/19/!BtvSBz!CGk~...Li3M-!~~_3.JPG


501X WE had 18T center and 37T pulleys.
12 diff balls
369 mm belts.

511 had 18T center and 37T pulleys.
12 diff balls
369 mm reinforced belts.

Also agree with Jan and Johannes. The reinforced belts lasts forever. Never had to adjust tension.

Uh totally forgot about the 501X´s Front Overdrive :blush: Sorry guys...

Ah - all is clear now - thanks very much Fredrik :thumbsup: