I'm replacing my cat with a Racing Beat presilencer when I get the chance to patch everything up, and my ACV has already been removed, so I'm at a point that I can easily get rid of the air pump and free up a little more clutter.

The only thing I'm worried about is that removing the air pump could cause the water pump to slip because of the lowered belt tension on it. Between the e-shaft and the alternator, it doesn't seem like there would be enough surface area to properly propel the water pump.

I know I could go with a double pully FD alternator and it has crossed my mind, but my current alternator is practically new and puts out enough juice for my vehicle (I just have one 10" sub and the entire chassis has been regrounded, no voltage issues).

The only other things I could think of is if someone made a tension unit that bolted in the air pump spot, or better yet, getting a belt that is the proper size to run between the e-shaft and the empty water pump pully spot that removing the air pump would leave.

The latter method is the one I think would work out best for the cost, and I can't think of any problems that could arise as long as I get the proper belt size. The pump should still be kept at the same speed as it always was, just immune to slipping, right?

I'm not a drive belt expert, so I would appreciate some input on the matter and maybe some tips on how to get the correct belt.

 

you should be fine. but dont quote me. ive seen many people run withouight the airpump on one belt and it hasnt fubard the engine yet.

 

Contact Banazi. They have a a very inexpensive double pulley.

 

Can it just replace the stock pulley on my alternator?

 

There's a belt for lawnmowers that is the right size to run between the main pulley and waterpump pulley. It's size is 3L220, IIRC. Check to make sure in a 'how-to' on 1300cc.com. I ran that belt with no problems for awhile, but my FD alternator w/ single pulley I got from an alternator shop kept eating my belts. So I just got a new hiGGi dual-belt pulley, and it's been fine since.

 

Napa also carries a belt that fits.

If you search for "yoohoo belt" you should find the part number for the lawn mower as well as the part number for the napa belt. The napa belt is tighter and a better fit, I used it for like a year with no problems. It's tight to get on, though, gotta turn the engine by hand while pushing it on, and the only way to get it off is to cut it. But it worked great, no slippage.

Other than that like Jager said, you can get a dual alt pulley that replaces the stock pulley currently on your alternator.

 

And 2 brand new alternator belts as close as possible to the same exact size.

 

True, forgot to mention that.

Also, as he mentioned get 2 stock ones, but some people have problems with one being looser than the other upon installation, even though they are the same size. The solution is to tighten it, drive a couple days, retighten, drive, etc, until they are even. I personally had no problem but I've read people having issues with that for the first ~week.

 

Sweet, I'm gonna try that for now, and just keep a spare set of belts and a wrench with me in case something drastic happens.

I found the proper article here: http://www.1300cc.com/howto/how2/belt.htm

From what I have been reading, it's not a perfect fit (a little loose) but it's enough to stop the alternator belt from slipping when the fan kicks in (I do not have an e-fan).

The dual pulley thing sounds like another idea I'll definatly try down the road if I'm not satisfied with this solution. Out of curiousty, how much do they normally run and where's the best place to grab one from?

Thanks for the advice guys!

 

The lawnmower belt is a little loose, yes. The napa one that people have used is very tight, tight enough you have to cut it to ever get it off.

 

I don't know if I want to get it too tight though. I don't want to fry the bearings in the water pump and have an even bigger problem. As long as it doesn't squeel and my pump isn't losing speed I'll be a happy man. :p

The only other thing I'm worried about is a lawnmower belt pulling 7,000rpms on a daily basis. If it explodes it won't be the end of the world, I should still have enough pressure on the water pump to drive it if I take it easy until I can replace the lawnmower belt (I'm gonna carry spares of the alt and the smaller belt as well).

 

If you look around there are dual belt alternator pulleys for sale online for FC's that are <$30. I think I paid around 20 bucks for one.

 

I got mine from Napa and it fit nice and toit like a toiger.

Don't tell them it's for a car though. When I told the dude I needed a 3L220 sized belt they asked what it was for, so I told them for a car. The hillbilly at the computer was like, "whaaaaaaaaaat?" and asked what car it was for, so I told him. Then he asks me if it's a alternator belt, A/C belt, etc. I was like, "NO, I need a damn 3L220 belt I know I need that particular belt." So he got it after giving my hell about how it wouldn't fit and basically tried to reiterate that he couldn't understand how it would fit on a car. I guess he thought I'd come back so he could to say "I told you so."

So do yourself a favor and tell them that it's for a lawnmower.

 

That's the whole point of it. Unbolt the stock pulley, bolt on the new double pulley and slip on a couple of new belts. Slipping problems are banished forever. I've got Higgi's one.

 

I'm experiencing the problem dDub mentioned with the outer belt being more loose then the inside one, i get a squeel about 50% of the time when i blip the throttle from about 3k-4500... it seems to be getting better, but i guess ill know in time.

 

So what's the conclusion....pros and cons of dual alternator pulley....or yoohoo belt. Which one would be more suggested...

 

Dual alt pulley.

 

There are no cons to using a dual belt alternator pulley. A yoohoo is a hack that puts unnecessary strain on the water pump bearings.