[Bangkok_ZL1]

Has anybody had anything like this happen to them? Fortunately, my accessory belt tensioner was leaking so I replaced it today. But when I was reinstalling the Supercharger Serpentine I saw this. So as always, I take to the forum for experience. I pushed on the pump to see if it was frozen in an elevated position; it doesn't seem so. Nevertheless, LT1King, Josh, AZ, knowledgeable forum friends, etc. What say ye? (besides the fact I'm lucky I caught it before something worse happened 200 miles from my home, LOL). Thanks for any guidance and advise.

[Joshinator99]

I’d make sure the supercharger belt is tight enough. If it’s near the end of the tensioner travel, the belt might be getting a bit sloppy when you hit the gas. I’m a fan of the LT5 tensioner to help keep better tension too (requires a TooHighPSI bracket).

[ZLRob]

You'll be alright with that scarring for now, but it can prove fatal if left too long like I did on mine.

That usually happens when the engine torques around too much due to improper tuning. When tuning is not an issue on an otherwise stock car, what you need to do is grab the entire assembly and bend the bracket it sits on with your hand as far forward as it will go then running it that way. That will allow something around a half inch gap instead of the 1/4 inch gap that it otherwise has between it and the serpentine belt, allowing more room for engine torquing.

If you don't have BMR engine mounts already that may be VERY high on your priority list because those will prevent excessive movement and prevent the possibility of hydraulic engine mount failure that the stock ones are capable of having. My driver's side one was already failing by 38K for reference.

[Bangkok_ZL1]

Originally Posted by ZLRob

You'll be alright with that scarring for now, but it can prove fatal if left too long like I did on mine.

That usually happens when the engine torques around too much due to improper tuning. When tuning is not an issue on an otherwise stock car, what you need to do is grab the entire assembly and bend the bracket it sits on with your hand as far forward as it will go then running it that way. That will allow something around a half inch gap instead of the 1/4 inch gap that it otherwise has between it and the serpentine belt, allowing more room for engine torquing.

If you don't have BMR engine mounts already that may be VERY high on your priority list because those will prevent excessive movement and prevent the possibility of hydraulic engine mount failure that the stock ones are capable of having. My driver's side one was already failing by 38K for reference.

THank you..... It's interesting that you say that. I do have the BMR mounts that I put on about 5000 miles ago. But I don't know if it was already there or not. Also, I have F.I. Interchiller's spacer plates that I put on and the tensioner is damn near maxed. In fact, to put the belt on, I have to wrench the tensioner all the way, and have a dab of WD-40 on the wheel so I can just barely slide the belt over the tensioner wheel. when released, I have all of 1/4 inch on the tensioner till the end. It's a very tight fit.

Do you think the tensioner is already getting weak due to the amount of tensioner used because of the spacer plates?

Either way, I am going to try and bend the bracket if I can just a tad. I'm also going to inspect both belts to see if I can determine when this took place (I noticed this late last night and my wife was nagging me about fixing her car). I'm also wondering if the interchiller hose piping isn't lifting the pump some. Cause I have pulled the intercooler all together. So the piping isn't coming in at the same angle. I guess I'm going to be pulling the big Aluminum brace afterall.....

[Bangkok_ZL1]

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

I’d make sure the supercharger belt is tight enough. If it’s near the end of the tensioner travel, the belt might be getting a bit sloppy when you hit the gas. I’m a fan of the LT5 tensioner to help keep better tension too (requires a TooHighPSI bracket).

Thank You.... That's interesting (LT5 tensioner). as I wrote to Rob, my tensioner is all the way at the tight end of the scale (1/4 inch to the very end) due to the F.I. Interchiller's spacer plates that I installed. Do you think it could be that there's not enough give because I'm at the end of the tensioner?....

[ZLRob]

Originally Posted by Bangkok_ZL1

THank you..... It's interesting that you say that. I do have the BMR mounts that I put on about 5000 miles ago. But I don't know if it was already there or not. Also, I have F.I. Interchiller's spacer plates that I put on and the tensioner is damn near maxed. In fact, to put the belt on, I have to wrench the tensioner all the way, and have a dab of WD-40 on the wheel so I can just barely slide the belt over the tensioner wheel. when released, I have all of 1/4 inch on the tensioner till the end. It's a very tight fit.

Do you think the tensioner is already getting weak due to the amount of tensioner used because of the spacer plates?

Either way, I am going to try and bend the bracket if I can just a tad. I'm also going to inspect both belts to see if I can determine when this took place (I noticed this late last night and my wife was nagging me about fixing her car). I'm also wondering if the interchiller hose piping isn't lifting the pump some. Cause I have pulled the intercooler all together. So the piping isn't coming in at the same angle. I guess I'm going to be pulling the big Aluminum brace afterall.....

You won't see this on the belts, and you certainly should not be maxing out the tensioner. 3/4 is fine but you gotta allow for some give there.

This issue is exclusive to the extreme torque that these engines generate. The issue is prevalent even in OE form. I feel that GM mounted the pump in a terrible location is all. Yeah bend the bracket as much as you possibly can before it won't allow for any more bend due to the pump interfering with the frame. You'll know exactly when and where the stop is, but make sure you bend everything with the pump mounted on the bracket to allow for more leverage to push on the bracket, or pull rather. I have looked at my pump since dealt with mine, and I have seen no issues moving forward.

[Bangkok_ZL1]

Originally Posted by ZLRob

You won't see this on the belts, and you certainly should not be maxing out the tensioner. 3/4 is fine but you gotta allow for some give there.

This issue is exclusive to the extreme torque that these engines generate. The issue is prevalent even in OE form. I feel that GM mounted the pump in a terrible location is all. Yeah bend the bracket as much as you possibly can before it won't allow for any more bend due to the pump interfering with the frame. You'll know exactly when and where the stop is, but make sure you bend everything with the pump mounted on the bracket to allow for more leverage to push on the bracket, or pull rather. I have looked at my pump since dealt with mine, and I have seen no issues moving forward.

OK, after examining this in the daylight with lots of lamps and the sun on this. It's pretty obvious that the Interchiller hose has pulled up the pump to the top level of the bracket. I believe when I hit some bumps the pump with pressure to move upward cause of the hose, is slightly bumping up just far enough to barely scrape the belt. You're right, I don't see it on the belt. I put this system on only 5000 miles ago. I think I'm going to have to pull the hose (WHAT A F#CKING B!TCH) and find a better way to route the hose. Or get a better designed hose for my application. I got to pull the front facia anyways to fix my airhorn and new fog lamp wiring. I'm definitely not going back to the intercooler that's for sure. This interchiller is awesome here in Thailand where my car would stay hot after NORMAL driving for 4 to 5 hours. You couldn't touch the lid for 3-4 hours without burning yourself, and we won't even talk spirited driving. With the interchiller, I can put my whole hand hard onto the lid and leave it there cause it's cold. I was probably losing 100 horses between the inferior fuel and heat (it's 84 degrees now in Udon Thani, Thailand according to google right now Dec 21st, it feels hotter). Thanks for the help. I'm going to find a new hose and pull and modify the bracket. I guess I should feel grateful to have found this now than later though... Any more suggestions are always appreciated. As for the tensioner. Don't know where to go with that. I like the spacer plates. when I get it done. I'll take a pic and show you where the tensioner is. Then you can tell me your opinion. I have already changed the belt with only 14,000 miles (equivalent 22,000Km) but was 4 years old. I'll probably just keep the belt fresh with another available. And the next chance I get replace the Thermostat housing to Billet just in case. I just posted that I finally found one for the LT-4 that holds the LT-4 thermostat. Thanks Once again.

OK, Pink FLoyd in the buds, wrenchs, and Creeper, let's go