Belt Tightness?

[grindog]

Hi All,

I have had my car for around 2 meetings and have noticed that the drivetrain is not freeing up much yet. The motor is seriously hot (12 double, Kit spur, 18 pinion). There seems a lot of drag on the drive. How tight can you get away with running your belts? Mine are kit at the moment but i am thinking of backing them up a little.

Thanks, john

[jimmy]

I don't remember off hand, but I think I ran mine loosest possible on the front, and looser than kit on the rear.
If your belts skip then you'll hear it and can adjust, but there shouldn't be any problems.

[cabbynate]

Originally Posted by grindog

Hi All,

I have had my car for around 2 meetings and have noticed that the drivetrain is not freeing up much yet. The motor is seriously hot (12 double, Kit spur, 18 pinion). There seems a lot of drag on the drive. How tight can you get away with running your belts? Mine are kit at the moment but i am thinking of backing them up a little.

Thanks, john

Hi John,
You may want to try a 19 or 20 tooth pinion with that motor. If it's a good quality motor than you are under geared. I ran a 17 tooth pinion with a 9x2. I have 3 months of meetings(about 10 race days) on the buggy and it still seems tight at kit settings but the motor runs cool. Up that gearing M8!!!!!

[grindog]

i have loosend both the front and rear diff by a couple of notches and the car is really free. I will find out if the belts skip this sunday, Dont think so but who knows

[grindog]

Originally Posted by grindog

i have loosend both the front and rear diff by a couple of notches and the car is really free. I will find out if the belts skip this sunday, Dont think so but who knows

There was no belt slip at all and the motor was considerably cooler for the less drag on the drive train. Tempted to push a little further as there was no hint of skipping