Time for a THUMP tensioner??

[originalsnake]

I have lost several belts on my whipple and its not fun. I currently use the stock tensioner with a welded on front and backing plate to stiffen it but im still losing belts. I think all of them shredded on the inside (engine side) of the belt. They dont snap but i lose 2 or 3 ribs.

When you guys use the Whipple tensioner that slides up and down on that channel how far down are you going with that adjusable pulley? Im trying to let the slack off with the stock tensioner and slide that thing down as far as possible to make the belt nice and tight.

At this point im ready to shell out some money for an 8 rib or a THUMP. Just wondering which is the proper model to buy from THUMP and will i be able to use the same Gates belt size or will i have to switch.

Any recommendations are encouraged.

 

[Kuro!]

I'd just go ahead and fix the problem with an 8 rib instead of using the tensioner as a crutch.

 

[69Mach1-409]

My adj pulley is as far as I can get it as well, but I've never lost a belt... yet.

I upgraded to the Roush tensioner awhile back due to belt slip issues and when I swapped it out I put a new belt on. (kept the old one as a spare) It's not a bad piece, but no where near as nice as the Thumper tensioner.

 

[06whipple]

Roush tensioner and billet 100mm idler and I have no more issues...mine was doing the same thing. Under $200 bucks

 

[discofan]

Thump Racing Belt Tensioner

I run a Saleen Supercharger with 9-10 lbs of boost and purchased a Thump Racing Belt Tensioner w/billet pulley for around $195.00...

Looks great and solved my belt slippage problem...

Don't bother looking for another brand -- just buy the Thump tensioner and you will not worry about it again!!!

Dave

 

[94tbird]

an 8 rib system isnt gonig to solve anything. While the tensioner MIGHT solve your problem, it isnt the end all be all either. 95% of the cases the power steering pulley is out of alignment. generally if its flush on the shaft wit hthe pump, its too farback. its quite a common issue with belt alignments on modular engines. Align the pulleys fully first. Only the ribbed ones need to be aligned. idlers do not.

I would look into a thump_RRR tensioner regardless as welding a piece of metal onto the front of the tensioner only stops the arm from bending, not the arm seperating from the base of the tensioner. The arm can and will rip off the base. Ive done it.

 

[06whipple]

Like I said...upgrade the 100mm idler too. It's a no brainer. The Gates POS in the kit can't handle the abuse it sees.

 

[firefighterhill]

Id listen to Ron, he is as close to a real world expert on this issue as you can get. How much money have you sunk into your serpentine belt system Ron? Im guessing at least a grand.

 

[b00stedgt]

I use the Thumprrr tensioner and don't have any issues with belt slip at all

 

[06whipple]

The max rpm you're running makes a big difference also. The limiter on the Ford tune kicks in at 6250. Hitting the limiter too often seems to be when shit breaks

 

[94tbird]

hes not running a stock tune and pretty sure hes not limited at 6250 sicne hes supercharged.

That being said, bouncing off the rev limiter is bad no matter what

 

[94tbird]

Id listen to Ron, he is as close to a real world expert on this issue as you can get. How much money have you sunk into your serpentine belt system Ron? Im guessing at least a grand.

Thats a fact, well over 1000. No one spent more time and money on the issue than I have. Id consider myself an expert at this point for sure

 

[Vapour Trails]

I have had a thumpRRR tensioner for nearly the whole time I've been supercharged.

I'm still on the original belt supplied in the kit. Come to your own conclusions.

I'd just go ahead and fix the problem with an 8 rib instead of using the tensioner as a crutch.

Right because belt tension and belt grip are not related or important.

 

[zachman]

If the power steering pump is flush on the shaft it is possibly out of alignment.
What is the best way to align the pulleys.

 

[06whipple]

Thats a fact, well over 1000. No one spent more time and money on the issue than I have. Id consider myself an expert at this point for sure

Damn...that sucks. Could have bought a 10 rib conversion for that kind of coin.

 

[05mustang_TT_charged]

Thats a fact, well over 1000. No one spent more time and money on the issue than I have. Id consider myself an expert at this point for sure

Haha, you got me on time spent for sure but I'm probably close to you on money. I was on my 3rd front cover, 13 idler pullies (Found the cheap Ford ones would break before front cover), atleast 15 belts, and 7 stock tensioners.

I did find that the Thump_rrr tensioner was by far the best improvement to my car. I would only snap a belt on rare occasions and after the automatic I had 0 problems with all of it. Ron did teach me alot about what was going on by reading his post though. It helped me tremendously by all his R&D.

 

[Born To Run]

Tensioner

Thats a fact, well over 1000. No one spent more time and money on the issue than I have. Id consider myself an expert at this point for sure

Hell,i blew through 20 belts,bent at least 10 tensioners,had my hood repaired twice from belts hitting the underside & popping the paint off on the top side,then on the 3rd hood damage i replaced the hood with a new one & installed a alum sheild on underside,installed the thump tensioner re clocked 30% greater for tension,no problems anymore,made 300+passes.
Cost for all this info pricele$$. www.mounceracing.com

 

[Diabolical!]

I was throwing belts. Turned out my tensioner was bent. Replaced with a Thump and never lost another belt. Picked up about a half pound of boost as well.

 

[discofan]

That's what I said several posts ago...

Buy a Thump Belt Tensioner and your problems will be GONE!!!

Dave

 

[06whipple]

10 rib