Quote:
Originally Posted by pribusin
1. Weight
2. Chains drives need to be re-tensioned periodically
3. More robust - we've had chains break at the links before
4. Belts run much quieter
5. Try something different
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Against #25 chain, I would say some points are less important than others.
1. The weight of #25 chain for a DT is about 0.7lb, versus maybe 0.2lbs for 5mm pitch 9mm width HTD belts. Adding in the weight of the pulleys (0.1lbs for 24t pulleys times 6 pulleys) versus sprockets (0.03lb for 16t times 6 sprockets) then the total for chain is about 0.9lbs and the total for pulleys is about 0.8lbs. I assumed you would use the same sprockets and pulleys everywhere, so it might be a bit different, but you will probably save little weight.
2. People have run direct C-C chain drives before in tube for whole seasons.
3. We have never had even #25 chain break on us, and there are more stories IMO about belts breaking than chain. OC if you use either the wrong way they will break or throw.
EDIT: Wait, we did have one break once. At Chezy Champs, our intake jammed against a screw head, stalling a BAG on a 25:1 reduction, and the chain actually
did break. That was I think the second time we stalled out the intake; the first time it did not break the chain.
4. This is the main reason why I like belts, personally. The lack of noise is so nice and adds to the overall quality. This and minor efficiency gains.
5. Also a great reason. I really like using belts for other applications than DT due to the noise and the look of them, not to mention that you can go exactly C-C with belts, whereas with chains you might need to add a little distance to account for manufacturing tolerances (see this post:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...&postcount=26).