jlm,

Do you think this would be a good option with the 19%/GIAC/Injectors package? I wonder if Helix might offer a package deal with the tensioner?

 

This makes me want to postpone my visit to helix on wednesday, I'm going there for the 19% pulley, giac and big injector job. I just know that this new iddler tensioner won't be ready any time soon. It sounds like it's just been developed.

 

there would definitely be some time saving in doing the tensioner swap when doing a pulley; of course it is some extra wrenching, but the access is the same.

 

jlm,

When do you feel the 'other' tensioner will be ready?

 

Just to keep tabs, do you now have:

3 engines (1 came with the MINI, one complete engine from a wrecker, and this new one)

and

4 superchargers

 

JLM.. Please keep on truckin with this project.. with the 19%, injectors, and GIAC combo being well received there will be some folks that want to invest in this extra bit of security..

Like me after this coming Friday ..

Craig

 

We are setting up a pulley party at the Dragon with Eric @ Helix again this year. I talked to him about availability of this new belt tensioner/idler, and he indicated that "it could very well be released before the Dragon". My hope is, I will be able to get the pulley and tensioner system installed in one shot. Could be a great opportunity for anybody sitting on the fence. We still have spots available!

 

i picked up two more short blocks today, very short, with only one crank and no pistons or rods. good enough for what i need.

 

jlm,

Anymore on the release date for the new tensioner?
How does the weight of this compare to the stock tensioner?
About the same?

 

Damn it Jim! I'm a doctor, not a scientist!

 

Any update?

 

I was just wondering the same exact thing and then saw you beat me to the question!

JLM.. Any update??

 

it has taken a back seat for a while, but not for long; got to pay the rather substantial shop overhead you know. I have five staircases going right now and seven handrails.

 

Yowza! More of the circular compound, twisted helix style?

 

two are helical, two are rectangular-circulating, one is straight. three are stainless steel, two are blackened steel

 

Please keep us updated on this. If this will help stop a belt from breaking with my 19% I will buy it. I am sure others feel the same way. Must be nice to have a line for a product when its not even finished yet!

Good luck with the shop upgrades..

Craig

 

I brought this up back in January of 2004 (https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=20683) glad someone is working on a fix for this.

 

The interest is still alive for this product. Any news?

 

Still waiting/hoping, any progress???

 

Here's another option, this guy is well regarded on MINI2: http://www.gtt.uk.com/parts3.asp
Don't know if he has a U.S. distributor.

 

Yeah I asked Roland a few questions about his but was told its a secret!!!! Just looking at it I had a bit of a concern about one of the features, but got no direct answers.

 

When I directly asked a couple of times to share minor information on NGK spark plug part numbers Roland ignored the request.
He can pack sand for all I care.
I'm buying from people I can communicate with.

 

let me communicate some tidbits:

in the stock system:
-weak link 1: the idler pulley needs a proper standoff/boss and washer; this is a $5 part, even though custom made;
-weak link 2: there is a too-long bolt attaching the motor mount bracket to the block surface right above the tensioner bracket. the too-long portion is an un-threaded pilot, completely un-necessary. the bolt should be removed and the pilot cut off. It is possible that too much beef applied to the tensioner tool can force the back of the tensioer bracket into this pilot, with the result that the bracket can be nicked and break (this is EXACTLY where the broken ones have cracked);
-weak link 3: the pulleys and bearings are well made, although they should all be trued; a fairly simple machining operation, where the pulley is spun on its bearing axis and the surface skim cut, removing no more than .005"
-weak link 4: if the pulley diameter is reduced, the spring pressure will be lessened; a spacer is required under the spring for reduced pulleys sizes;
weak link 5: should the belt snap, the only thing keeping the tensioner assembly from extending into the crank pulley and destroying it is the wimpy metal strip. this needs improvement. (Roland simply added an extra metal strip next to the dampener to control this, but that is less than ideal)

sufficent in the stock system:
-the bracket itself is strong enough and reasonably unstressed as the spring force is directed right at the tensioner pulley, (as long as one doesn't mash the bracket into the too-long bolt by leaning on the tensioner tool).
-pulleys and bearings;
-dampener; they may fail, but the unit seems adequate.

 

JLM,

So are you telling us how to improve the tensioner ourselves, or are you planning to develop a package? I'd buy.

Thanks.

 

Sign me up John.

Sounds like a good upgrade.

When you going to post dyno numbers?