98gibzilla

Are there any pro/cons with these belts. I am looking for a belt that would stop the cold car from squeeking. Autozone has them and I was wondering if these would make a good replacement. If you know of any other brands please let me know. I have pepboys, napa, and autozone around the corner.

Thanks

Sanders

Only drawback I can think of is that they are a bit pricey. I installed some when I put my ASP pulley on. No problems with them at all.

Orange Peel

iTrader: (20)

I had good luck with them as well, great belt, a little pricey but they should get the job done.

kickassT/A

iTrader: (3)

i just picked up some to go with my pulley. looks like its a good product, and was cheaper than gates. but pricing doesn't make any sense to me up here in portland. can't wait to get back home.

98gibzilla

I was doing a search and I read few members complaining about the noise they make and one member said the belt ruined his alternator and belt tensioners.

Has any experianced these problems with the Gatoebacks?

Orange Peel

iTrader: (20)

I didn't have any extra noise nor did my tensioners get messed up. Weird. In the end it's just a belt, buy one and try it, if it sucks, take it back and bitch. Then buy the cheapo belt. I run the crappy cheap Autozone belt right now, I used to run the Gatorback until my stock tensioner went out and threw that belt off, in the process shredding it to ****. So I bought 2 crappy belts to hold me over until my Adj. Tensioner came in, I still run one of the crappy belts, I threw the 2nd one before I got the new tensioner. They all work

JackZ28

I have the power steering delete belt, and I haven't noticed any real difference, other than the fact that my forearms are bigger than my thighs!

tensecondz

iTrader: (1)

These maybe good quality belts, however because of the design, they tend to stretch considerably with age.

For cars with automatic tensioner, then no problem, However I have installed them on cars w/o and I have had to re-tension the belt twice within a year.

Compare a trational ribbed belt to the gatorback, you will notice much less material on the inside face of the belt, thus my theory as the tendency to stretch more.

unit213

I run a Gatorback blower belt on my Cobra. It's a quality belt. I know it's not a LS1, but a belt is a belt.

Orange Peel

iTrader: (20)

I can see how they could stretch, since they are so ribbed up and patterned all over the place, not a constant rib all around, never thought of them stretching before. I like the Dayco belts too, but no one but the dealer around me carries them that I found.

DEE99TA

iTrader: (7)

I used them on my GTP running 13psi. They worked much better, stretched less and had less slippage than the delco or dayco belts I tried.

I do not think the "tread" design contributes to stretching. All the strength is in the radial area, for lack of a better word.

DEE

98gibzilla

Thanks for the info guys. Sounds like Gatorbacks are sold belts for stock LS1.

Last question, Are Gatorbacks available for the AC belt as well, if not will a Napa or Pepboys belt do a decent job. This my first belt job on the car and I want to do it right the first time. I did a search but I could not comeup with anything.

Thanks.

kickassT/A

iTrader: (3)

i'm sure they are available for the a/c belt as well. i just bought one, but i also have an underdrive pulley.

Orange Peel

iTrader: (20)

What's the part number for the a/c belt with the underdrive pulley? I have a ASP crank pulley only, and would like to get a gator for the a/c belt.

98gibzilla

I am not sure this will do it or not. But the part number I have for the AC for my Z28 is 4040405 and the serpentine is 4060790.

Regards

Another_User

I ate a gatorback one time after I put a set of underdrive pulleys on my 98 S-10. Switched it out for a Dayco and never had a problem many miles later. Could have been a fluke, but I still avoid them.

98gibzilla

I was just on AC Delco site and they have 41 inch belt for the AC. However, the Autozone has the 40.5 Inch belt for the AC.

I was wondering will the 40.5 inch belt work OK? Will it fit, or does it have to be a 41 inches exactly.

Thanks

DietCoke

iTrader: (18)

Either should work. The tensioner should take up ~1.5 inches either way

98gibzilla

Thanks, I thought I had to drive back to Autozone. I hate going in there.

n2oblkz

iTrader: (1)

I have had a gatorback on my Z for quite some time now and it has held up really well. I switched to it when I went with my underdrive pullies and after installing it, I did notice that it has a "whistle" to it but it is not loud enough to be bothersome.