rexlee2004

Hi All,

I know this may seem like a daft question but is it possible to convert a WRX from a rubber cambelt to a chain which would never break?


Cheers

ian.e

iTrader: (1)

Camchains can break too, and it`s not that hard to change the belt. Camchains need oil for lube too, so new oil tight covers would need to be made, and an oil feed, and all new gears. Too much work needed for no return in my opinion.

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

No.

Like all modern cars, the cambelt drives all sorts of ancillaries - it's not just off of the crank/cams anymore - and a timing chain isn't practical. These modern types of cambelt are usually referred to as a "serpentine belt" - due to the way it 'snakes' around all the various ancillaries' drive wheels.

For one thing you'd have to change over all the pulleys to toothed sprockets, etc. inc. the water pump's 'smooth' pulley wheel!............. It simply ain't gonna happen lol

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

In any case, why the anxiety?

After all, the Subaru belt has NOT got a reputation for snapping...

rexlee2004

The reason is that my wrx has only 25K on the clock on a 52 plate, I keep seeing posts about belts degrading over time, not sure if this is true or not. The car has been service at a very renowned Subaru specialist which has not changed the belt due to the mileage.

As you know if it goes you need lots of ££££

Cheers

Gregsti01

iTrader: (1)

The inertia to turn a chain is a lot higher,so power gets lost.Belts are far more durable if changed when needed.Belt driven engines are cheaper to produce,also handle high rpm easier

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

For sure.

The only (potential) preventative action is to perhaps replace the belt at HALF the Subaru recommended milage/time interval.

cster

If they are good enough for Ferarri, they are good enough for me

LegacySTi

iTrader: (13)

one of the weirder threads i've for sure????

Cambelt advised to be changed every 60k miles or 5 years whichever comes first.

So as yours is 02 its well overdue. Change belt and tensioner and idler pulleys and then no more mad talk of chains,,,

madscoob

iTrader: (3)

a toothed htd belt is a positive drive engaging teeth on sprockets for the purpose of timing . a chain would do the same thing but overtime the rollers on the chain would wear the sprockets therfore putting the timing out . ie steel on steel . thats why ali/steel pulleys never wear . the belt is softer and the weakest link.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

They quote the mileage OR the age for a cambelt change, its your engine though so if you want to run an old (and the rubber will go brittle over age) cambelt and hope it doesnt snap, then go for it, but another question for you, would you run 10 year old tyres that have age cracks in them on your car? I think not.

Tony