Anyone here have problems with cutouts from adjustable camgears?

i.e. - reduced timing belt life, gear tooth skipping, etc?

Someone mentioned additional heat damage to the belt because of its exposure to engine bay temp. seems the enclosed factory cover would induce more heat, than a ventilated one. Opinions?

 

I prefer to use a cut valve cover for tuning purposes only.

I see no need to run one anywhere but on the dyno, as I don't ever adjust cam gears but for when it is on the dyno.

I doubt you are one of those people who feels a need to show off every single mod on your car.

 

na, but I am one who believes that if there's no harm in running a cut cover... I won't waste my money on a second closed cover.
That money would go for more mods.



[Modified by oryanh, 11:37 AM 3/13/2003]

 

i just cut it so that the gears only are exposed.

 

I use a first gen B16 valve cover for tuning purposes.

One can get those for next to nothing.

There is always the risk of debris getting in with a cut valve cover. I think of it as one less thing to worry about, which is always nice.

 

sgT,
How long have you run your cars like that? -roughly.

 

True. the risk is there... on a daily driver no-less.
Just searching for peace of mind.


[Modified by oryanh, 11:42 AM 3/13/2003]

 

It really sucks to get stranded on the side of the road.

The chances of something getting in the timing belt cover is very slight, but it's still much greater than the chances of something getting in without a cut valve cover.

 

mine is cut to make it easier for tuning. i dont have a spare but intend to get one eventually and just use the cut one for tuning.

 

Anyone else with an open valve cover?
Any long term issues?

 

Water, dirt, salt, oil, coolant, brake fluid, gravel, and road kill are all enemies of timing belts. Close it up, The cover's on there for a very good reason.

Once heard someone’s motor mount failed during a track event and pieces of it got in his "show em" timing cover and skipped the timing belt bending all he valves.




[Modified by Eluder200K, 10:07 PM 3/13/2003]

 

 

looks good

 

years? a long long time

 

 

running for a year


70 passes down the track

no problems

it's timing belt time anyway

 

I've always used a cut cover on my motors, but I'm about to pick up a spare. No problems to this point, but I'd rather have them covered, to be safe.

 

Running cut cover since 1998. I actually prefer to run it cut, I can check the bolts on the gears every once in a while to make sure they are snug and have not slipped any. I also check the condition of the timing belt at the same time.

 

Lol - you said "show em" hahahahaha

 

I picked up a junkyard special GS-R valve cover for $10. Cleaned it off and chopped it up for dyno tuning. My stock un-cut cover goes back on once the car rolls off the dyno.

Timing belt issues are finicky at best. There's tons of people who run with cut covers and will not have any problems. But there's always those rare cases that do have problems and end up with dead motors. Sucks to be them, I'd rather just not put myself in that position in the first place especially considering how inexpensive it is to get Si/GS-R valve covers.

 

I immdediately thought you were talking about driving with no valve cover! I was gonna say...

 

Had a cut VC for 4+ years no problems at all.

 

i got a spare valve cover that i put on when i need to be tuned, but on the road, i keep them covered, both safe, and keeps the engine stock looking

 

I do not believe heat is an issue at play here.

Rather, I believe it might be all the dirt/grime that gets kicked up into an engine bay that the cover would shield the belt from. This dirt/grime probably does wear away at the moving belt after time.

Just a thought.

 

2+ years & no problems. My engine bay stays about as clean as you see it here......If my bay stays clean, why would rocks/dirt aim solely for the TB? It doesn't bother me any.


[Modified by GM2000ITR, 6:28 AM 3/14/2003]