I'd love to try this stiffy out.

I have a brand new Alta tensioner stop that I didn't install yet because shortly after getting it you released this thread.

 

We are out of prototypes right now, but look for this part to be released soon. Thanks for your interest though!

 

Most cars I've worked on have had the serpentine/accessory drive belt tensed by the Alternator (Honda/Mitsubishi, other Japanese makes). I was taught that, generally speaking, a 1/2" of belt deflection when pressing against a belt between two pullies denotes proper belt tension.

I like the concept of this design, in fact, I was a little surprised when I found out there was no way to adjust belt tension on R53s when I got mine (and subsequently swapped out the S/C pulley to an Alta V.1 17%). At first, I couldn't figure out why many people suggested I change the belt out every year or 12,000 miles.

Call me a little skeptical, but I don't know why BMW chose to put a hydraulic damper instead of an adjustable arm on the tensioner (I'm speculating it would bring down production costs). I am certain there is a reason ... Less preventative maintenance by eliminating the need to check belt tension?

If so, how ironic.

 

ALTA Chris/Jeff any updates on this product?

 

The test mule on my Mini still works fine.

 

We are still testing it out on those few customers that have it. Not ETA yet for production, but it will be soon, thanks!

 

Any updates on this??

 

Interesting thread and product. I'm about to install my 4th tensioner unit at 118,000 miles and I'm quite tired of the failing hydraulic dampeners. I have two tensioners with torn up rubber bushings, and the third actually broke off and is missing in action, perhaps for longer than I might have thought as the inside was rusting, probably from road salt this PAST winter. Might be the mod stop added last summer came loose and let half become free and hanging allowing it to shine up other nearby spinning parts.

I'm half glad my alternator locked up requiring me to take apart the MINI to discover such happenings.

I want two sets of urethane bushings to fit my available dampeners. I may enter into the refurbishing market to start recylcing these things if I could find inexpensive replacement parts. And I don't mean the $42 per pair bushings. I'll pay maybe $5 for the pair.

Still, I'd like to see what you're developing.

 

Have one of the test units. Was at MOTD with no issues.

 

4th tensioner! Whoa!
Send me an email and I will get one in your hands ASAP!
jeff.perrin@altaperformance.com

 

Any updates ALTA?

 

The part is going to be on the website soon, if you are really interested in it though, give us a call and you can order it right now!

Also if any of the guys that currently have it could send me some pictures of it installed, send them my way, thanks!

 

Any word on pricing yet? My tensioner is dead.

 

Man, I wish I would have seen this, I just did the SC/waterpump/tensioner/idler pully back in april. I ****ed up my new tensioner and had reuse most of my old one. I broke the tab inside the spring. Even after swapping the shock and pulleys over to the old housing its STILL making a racket.

 

I contacted customer service yesterday, said it's still in production phase and pricing has not been determined yet.

 

Chris, I was gonna come get a pulley from you today, I had to do a belt change on our new 05 MCS but I ran out of time, I'll definitely want one of these, that tensioner set up is silly!

 

My hydraulic dampener just broke. Managed to hit my ALTA crank pulley causing it to take a chunk out of my belt. I was going to order a new tensioner assembly ( is there a specific one everyone orders and from where? ) tonight, but if this is an option, SIGN ME UP! I will call in the morning.

**** Duh, Saturday! I'll call Monday. ***

Any news or advice on this please let me know.

Just called. Got one coming in the mail. I'll post back and let everyone know.
Thanks ALTA!

 

Just spoke with Alta_Chris and ordered mine. Will post pics once it arrives, and possibly as I'm installing it.

 

 

 

Gotta say:
"Si, Si, I'm very intrigued!"

I hope that we could get some pictures or something up on the site soon....

 

My detroit tuned tensioner stop is holding on to dear life with like two strands of steel wire. Just ordered a Alta tensioner stop, got some awesome live help from the Alta site. I wanted to get the new design, but alas, still not out yet. I'm sure I have to buy a bunch of these to keep on hand since it seems people go thru them pretty easily. I have a 16% reduction pulley on my R53, and this will be my second one in 96k mi.

 

I have an 02' with a 15% and I'd would be your lab rat if you still have some available I need to replace mine anyways.

 

Got the Stiffy. I need to know the sizes of the bolts on the two ends of where the Stiffy goes. I do not have a Bentley Service Manual. My bolts seem to be MIA.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

All done!

What was left of my old dampener was removed.
I didn't lower the motor for install.

I knew i needed both bolts (see previous post for size request) and washers. I ended up using a tap and die set to figure out the sizes needed. Easy after that.

I used 2 Stainless steel 8mm x 1.25 x 1.5 in length, 2 washers to match, and a little blue Locktite. I did remove the passenger wheel and wheel well for easier access and more light. Its a tight fit, but still pretty easy to get in there. Just used an open ended and box 13mm wrench. The instructions provided were self explanatory and simple.

Here are some picts of the part and it installed.

Back on the road!