I've allways used gates belts but I have less belt dust with my new 3.1 aluminum pulley over the old steel pulleys I've had. Strange.

 

Josh- Clean up those metal shavings around that bolt that you stripped....lol

 

I know I know sorta but...
You know this could be a good thread topic. I was told by Maggie that Aluminum is bad, steel is great. I then was told by pulley Boys, "What?!". LOL Maggie's customer service guy (in defense of ANY company, one guy doesn't represent the company's true "stance" in most cases, I happen to like this particular guy, super nice and very helpful) told me that aluminum is a softer metal no matter how you look at it. There might not be a alot of cases of issues, but the very idea of aluminum represents a possibility. Hmmm

Seems to me the aluminum would expand quicker due to heat and make for a tighter fit. However, steel would probably have better contact characteristics.

Okay back on topic,

Josh I have asked a few people with with the metco's what size belt they are running and with the 3.0 answer is usually 111.5. Bradazz has a 3.1 with the 112.0 and no issues. With the 2.8 I happen to have a 111.0 anyway. No one else speaks of any issues. Maybe just a coincedence? Get any lube or lubricant on the belt? That 1/2" might make a huge difference.

 

yeah, its weird cause i had 0 belt slip before i put the new idler pulleys on, but now that they are on and i have a 1 inch longer belt, i'm getting CRAZY belt dust that i didn't get before, plus i can see my boost gauge "twitching" meaning i know the belt is slipping which it didn't do before. Also, don't forgot about the MAJOR belt slip i had the first night i tested this setup out. I made 4 1/4 blasts from the on-ramp to the highway and 3 out of the 4 the belt slipped so bad the boost gauge went down into the vacuum area and the truck fell on its face.

It was a brand new belt and i got no lube or grease on it at all. so what are you guys saying? go to a steel pulley and go to a 111.0" belt cause there is no way i'm getting my 110.5" belt back on, it just wont go. i have no problem ordering another radix pulley. who sells the steel 2.8's?

 

Josh- With all the talk of belt sizes, does your aftermarket Alt. have a larger pulley?

 

no, i already checked that. its the exact same size as stock. good thinking though Pat.

 

No no, just drop a half inch in size on the belt. The idlers just push in some (due to their larger diameter) of the slack, below the nose. Just get a smaller belt by 1/2" and sell that one as "hardly used" and "only little bit of dusting"!

 

alright, whats the best place to buy a Gates belt online? summit dosn't carry them.

 

I believe Napa carries them. Not positive though, gatorbacks work better on my setup. My gates slipped alot, it seems like different setups like different belts......

 

Josh, if you are going to summit anytime soon get ahold of me. Oh and my HPT came in on tues.... Started playing a litte today.