I recently installed some Rocket spirngs and Supertech retainers on my C1 in addtion to JDM ITR cams and AEM 5-bolt gears. I replaced the timing belt (OEM), tensioner, spring, bolt while I was at it and my belt has jumped teeth on me twice now. The car will sit and idle just fine and if I drive it pretty conservatively it seems to do well in that department too. But, when I get on it it hesitates and then dies when I stop. After checking it out the culprit is that the timing belt is jumping teeth. I have meticulously done the belt install procedure as specified in the HELMS, but it doesn't seem to be doing the trick. Do I need to just let the car run for a while to help break in the springs so that the cams will turn more easily, thus lessening the restriction on them and allowing the belt to turn more freely or is there something else I need to know.

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

 

Hopefully you adjusted the valve lash when you installed these cams, secondly you may want to put more tension on the belt by using a coathanger to pull up on the tensioner. It sounds like your belt is to loose, combined with higher spring pressure is causing your belt to jump, good luck