OEM Timing Belt

[ibtisam.jawad]

I would like to know which brand of timing belt came stock on an early Porsche 944? Was it Gates or Contitech? I would like to get the same brand that the factory installed. Thank you for your help.

[Grandad#3]

You have opened a small can of worms with your question. Seems everyone has their own preference as to the brand of belts they use. I know Gates was one of the originals and the only one I will use. It is supposed to tolerate heat better and does not stretch as much. It all depends on what you read and past experience on what one uses. Use the SEARCH function at top of page if you want to know what engine oil to use.

Cheers,
Larry

[ibtisam.jawad]

I use Brad Penn 20W-50.

I know people have different preferences between contitech and gates. I just wanted to know what the factory put on it. I did use search for this but could not find a definitive answer as to who the OEM supplier was at the time. I did find some references as to Gates being the OE supplier but wasn't sure.

Gates does comes in three grades. Two have part numbers T107 and 5097. I guess I will not bother with part numbers and just order the one from Pelican Parts when the time comes.

[ibtisam.jawad]

I posted this in the wrong forum. Could an admin please move this or delete it? Thank you.

[racer]

What year? I know that Porsche often had more than one supplier for items within a given year. It is possible that BOTH gates and contitech were OEM, but being a German company, my first thought is not gates. Is there a special reason for your desire to go with "factory"?

[ibtisam.jawad]

I was just wondering what the OEM brand was. My car is an 84 NA. I know that gates comes in different grades priced ~ 10, 15 and 50. I would go for the $50 one but what if it's too thick or responds differently to tensioning and use than the OEM belt. So that's why I was trying to find out the OEM brand and part # for the belt.

[porschetub]

Go for the Gates and buy direct,all good,as some have found problems with Contitech,Ive never used them by the way.

[ibtisam.jawad]

Buy direct, as in from Gates?

[TibetanT]

Good question!

I believe, if my memory hasn't failed me, that Gates was the supplier to the Porsche factory. You may notice on some websites that sell Porsche parts, they have a Porsche supplier for some part being sold. They are much more expensive than say a competitor with equal quality.

If you really want to sleep at night, just make sure you tension the belt properly when installed, AND>>make sure to re-tension/check tension at, or before 1,500-1,800 miles. Then, recheck/retension at 15K intervals and change out for another new belt at or before 30-40K.

I had a Contitech belt last 59K miles on my 944n/a, but then I have always purchased all new parts, including the water pump (never a rebuilt unit) seals, rollers, gaskets, o-rings, some bolts when these maintenance cycles come up. I will admit it is expensive to do it this way, but then, I like to sleep at night.

Hope this helps you with your decision making.

[ibtisam.jawad]

TibetanT that was very helpful. Thank you. So which grade of Gates to go for, the $50 one?

[Pettybird]

just get one from the dealer. even if it wasn't OEM 27 years ago it HAS to meet Porsche standards today. In the end, isn't that what's important?

[ibtisam.jawad]

Yes, that is what I will do.