Gates RPM belt issue

Evansa22 · 08-06-2023, 02:03 PM

Posting up as a warning/info gathering. Wanted to see if anyone else has used these or similar, part # k080842rpm. At about 750whp, so pushing the belt a little. Tensioner was close to the middle, just a touch on the looser side. Made probably 4 or 5 wot pulls on the new belt and it snapped. Any one else have issues with these?

My guess is with this much power, rather than stretching like the HD belts do, these rpms just snap.

SOCAL.M6.ZLE · 08-06-2023, 07:40 PM

Just to confirm, the broken belt, was not a gates belt correct? I run the same gates belt with no issues.

Joshinator99 · 08-06-2023, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOCAL.M6.ZLE

Just to confirm, the broken belt, was not a gates belt correct? I run the same gates belt with no issues.

The broken belt IS a Gates belt. He even listed the part number.
https://www.jegs.com/i/Gates/465/K080842RPM/10002/-1

ZLRob · 08-06-2023, 08:57 PM

Gates RPM belts require proper tension in order for them not to snap. Given that we run a spring loaded auto tensioner the fact that you are mentioning that the tensioner was in the middle of it's travel set tells me that you likely may have been experiencing excessive slip. No belt likes excessive slip and none is exempt from snapping when too much friction is present on it, so I'm actually going to assume that the belt size you put on was oversized for the setup.

It would be more helpful, however, if you mentioned what sort of pulley setup(s) you are running, how many ribs.. etc..

laynlo15 · 08-07-2023, 07:13 AM

If that is an RPM switch to the Green Belt which would be that number with HD at the end. I've been running the Green belts for 6 years on 2 different Camaros, my 16 making over 850 rwhp. Its better if the tensioner close to the end not the middle. It's possible your getting some belt slap and the RPM can't stretch like the Hd Green belt. I would consider looking at a shorter belt to tighten up the belt tension. Check out the part number K080839HD which is almost a 1/2 inch shorter than the one your have.
K080842 RPM 84.23 inches long
K080839 HD 83.84 inches long.

SOCAL.M6.ZLE · 08-07-2023, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

The broken belt IS a Gates belt. He even listed the part number.
https://www.jegs.com/i/Gates/465/K080842RPM/10002/-1

Thanks for the correction... I meant to say HD belt... I thought all Gates belts were the GREEN HD belts.

Joshinator99 · 08-07-2023, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOCAL.M6.ZLE

Thanks for the correction... I meant to say HD belt... I thought all Gates belts were the GREEN HD belts.

No problem.

I think Gates offers 3 different lines if I’m not mistaken. Easy to get confused. I try to stay with major brands. I’ve always used Dayco as most of theirs are US made and never had a problem. The one time I strayed and used an “imported” one it snapped and made a friggin disaster under the hood that took forever to clean up lol…never again!

Evansa22 · 08-07-2023, 12:42 PM

Yes broken belt is a gates rpm. Originally had a k080842hd which was slipping and a touch long. Ordered a k080839hd which I had on for one log run. Wanted to try the rpm which I could only find in 42, or 28. 28 was way too short, so I figured give the 42rpm a try since it was on the longer side and shouldnt stretch. Was at about 60-70% of the tensioner travel on the loose side. Nope! Haha. Will throw the 39hd back on and move on. Better to stretch and slip then snap completely.

Pulley setup is 8.8 lower (10%) and stock size 2.5 griptech upper. Stock 8 rib at this point.

XXX ZL1 · 08-07-2023, 02:12 PM

Broke a RPM first pull on my car with a Maggy 2300. Went back to green belt and never another issue. Found out why they make billet thermostat housing during the RPM belt experiment though. Lol

ZL14ever · 08-07-2023, 03:28 PM

Not the first time I see an RPM belt breaking. Just use gates HD belts (green) and if you experience slip then use a shorter belt or install DSX idler kit

LiqTenExp · 08-07-2023, 04:02 PM

Another vote for Gates green belts

Evansa22 · 08-07-2023, 09:51 PM

Sounds good, I will be using the 39hd I took off and call it good.
Good news is they refunded me for the belt so at least I'm only out shipping. Heard those rpm's break but guess I had to find out for myself.

CW3SF · 08-09-2023, 10:11 AM

Aaron, I’ve been running that RPM belt on stock pulleys (740 whp) for going on a year and I’ve had NO issues. Even drove it from Denver to Virginia with no problems, and a crap ton of WOT pulls during tuning. I think it just has to be tensioned correctly.

Evansa22 · 08-09-2023, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CW3SF

Aaron, I’ve been running that RPM belt on stock pulleys (740 whp) for going on a year and I’ve had NO issues. Even drove it from Denver to Virginia with no problems, and a crap ton of WOT pulls during tuning. I think it just has to be tensioned correctly.

Ya, the 42rpm is a little long for my setup but they don't make a 39rpm. So I'll just run the 39hd and call it good. Should have no issues with it. Thanks guys

08-06-2023, 02:03 PM	#1
Evansa22 Drives: HBM ZLE Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: In the garage Posts: 802	Gates RPM belt issue Posting up as a warning/info gathering. Wanted to see if anyone else has used these or similar, part # k080842rpm. At about 750whp, so pushing the belt a little. Tensioner was close to the middle, just a touch on the looser side. Made probably 4 or 5 wot pulls on the new belt and it snapped. Any one else have issues with these? My guess is with this much power, rather than stretching like the HD belts do, these rpms just snap. Attached Images

08-06-2023, 07:40 PM	#2
SOCAL.M6.ZLE Having FUN in the SUN... Drives: 2022 M6 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 1,052	Just to confirm, the broken belt, was not a gates belt correct? I run the same gates belt with no issues. __________________ 2022 M6 ZLE: Katech CNC Ported Blower + Ported Heads + 103mm TB + Oil Pump + C5R Chain + Valve Covers + Coil Relocation TSP VVT and DoD Delete Covers + LME Chain Guide + DSX Billet Lid + ATI Damper + 9.17" Lower + 2.4" Upper + MM Wild CC Coated ARH + AWE Touring + Magnaflow Center X + E85 + MSD Coils + Banks iDash + JMS Booster + Synergy Fender Tank ALL the RED Rear End BMR Goodies + JRE Terminator Cam Package + Remote Tuning and Moral Support from TED @ JRE BMR Motor Mounts + DMS Front HX + FIC 30's + APEX SM.10's + 305/345 R888R's = 770rwhp 785rwtq @E50 13.5psi

08-06-2023, 08:57 PM	#4
ZLRob Drives: Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Join Date: May 2022 Location: Concordia Posts: 437	Gates RPM belts require proper tension in order for them not to snap. Given that we run a spring loaded auto tensioner the fact that you are mentioning that the tensioner was in the middle of it's travel set tells me that you likely may have been experiencing excessive slip. No belt likes excessive slip and none is exempt from snapping when too much friction is present on it, so I'm actually going to assume that the belt size you put on was oversized for the setup. It would be more helpful, however, if you mentioned what sort of pulley setup(s) you are running, how many ribs.. etc.. __________________ 2017 Red Hot ZL1 A10 - Apex ARC-8's, 305/ 325 PS4's, DSX 9.06 12% Pulley, NGK HR7 Ruthenium spark plugs, Katech Oil Pump, LME tensioner, DOD delete, Cam, MPI lid, Soler ported 87mm (91mm effective) TB, Granatelli SS plug wires, Cordes LTR reservoir, DMS T-stat housing, Borla X pipe, AFe NPP exhaust, Black Widow Angry Housewife/ Venom 250 mufflers, BMR engine mounts, Banks iDash, Lithium Battery, Course Motorsports phone mount, AEM X- Series, HP Tuners, JMS, E85, 13.6 psi 737 HP/ 779 TQ

08-07-2023, 07:13 AM	#5
laynlo15 Drives: 2022 Lt1 A10 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: clark, mo Posts: 8,860	If that is an RPM switch to the Green Belt which would be that number with HD at the end. I've been running the Green belts for 6 years on 2 different Camaros, my 16 making over 850 rwhp. Its better if the tensioner close to the end not the middle. It's possible your getting some belt slap and the RPM can't stretch like the Hd Green belt. I would consider looking at a shorter belt to tighten up the belt tension. Check out the part number K080839HD which is almost a 1/2 inch shorter than the one your have. K080842 RPM 84.23 inches long K080839 HD 83.84 inches long. __________________ 2022 Lt1 6.2 A10, Maggie 2300, THPSI Port Inj/10 rib, Rotofab, E, Nickey, SCOL, Griptech, RC Bandits, Hoosiers/MT 9.80@142.96 1.44 60ft, 6.34@112 707/669 RWHP/TRQ. 16SS Maggie 2650 9.41@147 1.35 60ft, 5.99@119. 16 C7 A8 10.90@128 Bolt on stuff

08-07-2023, 12:42 PM	#8
Evansa22 Drives: HBM ZLE Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: In the garage Posts: 802	Yes broken belt is a gates rpm. Originally had a k080842hd which was slipping and a touch long. Ordered a k080839hd which I had on for one log run. Wanted to try the rpm which I could only find in 42, or 28. 28 was way too short, so I figured give the 42rpm a try since it was on the longer side and shouldnt stretch. Was at about 60-70% of the tensioner travel on the loose side. Nope! Haha. Will throw the 39hd back on and move on. Better to stretch and slip then snap completely. Pulley setup is 8.8 lower (10%) and stock size 2.5 griptech upper. Stock 8 rib at this point. Last edited by Evansa22; 08-07-2023 at 01:12 PM.

08-07-2023, 02:12 PM	#9
XXX ZL1 Drives: 2023 ZL1 M6 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Pace FL Posts: 417	Broke a RPM first pull on my car with a Maggy 2300. Went back to green belt and never another issue. Found out why they make billet thermostat housing during the RPM belt experiment though. Lol __________________ 2024 Riverside Blue ZL1 M6 Magnuson 2650R, NW 103, Roto Fab Big Gulp, Jet Hot Coated ARH 2 inch LT's, Stainless Works NPP, Too High PSI Billet Valve Covers, Mighty Mouse Wild CC Signature Forged 20x10.5/20x11.5, 295/30-315/30, BMR springs, BMR Cradle lockout, AAD Billet Control/Trailing arms 2023 Vivid Orange ZL1 M6 - sold 2019 Riverside Blue ZL1 A10 - sold

08-07-2023, 03:28 PM	#10
ZL14ever Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Dubai, UAE Posts: 63	Not the first time I see an RPM belt breaking. Just use gates HD belts (green) and if you experience slip then use a shorter belt or install DSX idler kit

08-07-2023, 04:02 PM	#11
LiqTenExp Drives: 2017 ZL1 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: NJ Posts: 905	Another vote for Gates green belts __________________ 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe M6 (847whp Dynojet on 93)

08-07-2023, 09:51 PM	#12
Evansa22 Drives: HBM ZLE Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: In the garage Posts: 802	Sounds good, I will be using the 39hd I took off and call it good. Good news is they refunded me for the belt so at least I'm only out shipping. Heard those rpm's break but guess I had to find out for myself.

08-09-2023, 10:11 AM	#13
CW3SF Drives: 2019 Chevy Camaro ZL1 M6 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Sea level Posts: 1,252 View My Garage	Aaron, I’ve been running that RPM belt on stock pulleys (740 whp) for going on a year and I’ve had NO issues. Even drove it from Denver to Virginia with no problems, and a crap ton of WOT pulls during tuning. I think it just has to be tensioned correctly. __________________ Kong Stage X Port, NW103, LPE HPFP, XDI +30 Injectors, ARH Headers, Flex Fuel, JMS Booster, AWE Touring, Elite E2-X CC. Stock heads, stock cam, stock pulleys: Tuned by KingLT1. 740whp Uncorrected on e50

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