Watts Shop Performance
Home
Contacts
About Us
Camshafts
heads
Valvetrain
Friends of the WSP
Vids/Pics
Links
Intake
Cranks
Exhaust
Classifieds
Metals
Transmissions
Cryogenics
Calculator
Rods
Camshafts Custom
Camshafts LT4 Hot
Camshafts LS1
Camshafts Chevy
Camshafts Ford
Camshafts Street
Camshafts Race
Camshafts Blower
Camshafts NOS
Camshafts Solid Roller
Camshafts Hydroulic
Camshafts
Pistons
Belt Drive
            When Pontiac introduced its beltdriven overhead cam six for
1965, the world somehow kept turning. Even though th short lived
Pontiac didn't single handedly start a revolution, it was one of a
growing number of HOC engine designs that utilized a flexible cog
belt to drive the cam. The benefit of a beltdrive over a chain
orgeardrive is inherently smooth operation that reduces harmonics
while requiring less power to run. Add in a cam pulley that is
specially designed to allow instant cam phasing adjustments and
you have a drag racer's dream.                                                            

   The phenomenon of the beltdrive camshaft on traditional pushrod
V-8 began in the early 1980's in Pro Stock where every last bit of
horsepower and tuning convenience must be pursued at any cost.
Beltdrives haven't really caught on with street cars due to the fact
that many systems are mounted externally and are vulnerable to road
debris and the elements. Beyond that, priced from $375 to $850, they
are expensive and most hot rodders know there are plenty of other
ways to get more power for the same money.                       

     Among professional engine builders, there are those who swear
by the beltdrive for its ease of cam adjustment and there are those
who say they have the potential to do more harm than good. On a
typical high performance engine, such concerns are of little
consequence. So the cam may (or may not) oscillate a half degree-
chances are it wouldn't be noticed even on a dyno. But in the ragged
edge world of all out racing motors and gnat's whisker piston to
valve clearances, a tiny deviation in the careful orchestration
between crank and cam action could spell disaster.                        
Heads
Ported Heads
LT1 Heads
LT4 Heads
LS1 Heads
Chevy Heads
Ford Heads
Custom Head Work
Valvetrain
Valve Spring Retainers
Titanium Retainers
Chrom Moly Retainers
7 Degree Retainers
10 Degree Retainers
Solid Roller Lifters
Pop Up Lifters
Vertical Bar Lifters
Chevy Lifters
Ford Lifters
Mopar Lifters
Pontiac Lifters
Olds Lifters
Intake
Ported Intake
Intake Machining
Intake Spacer
Carburetor Spacer
Intake Insert
Intake "Turtle"
EFI
ECM/PCM
Reprogramming  

LT1 ECM/PCM
Reprogramming  

LT4 ECM/PCM
Reprogramming  

LS1 ECM/PCM
Reprogramming  

OBD II Reprogramming
Pros:   Absorbs the least horsepower. Many beltdrives are external, so there's
no oily mess when adjusting the cam. Easier to install than a fixed idler
geardrive. The belt protects valve springs in extreme applications by
absorbing vibrations. By far the easiest way to adjust cam phasing.
Transmissions
GM Transmissions
200-R4
700-R4
TH 350
TH 375
TH 400
4L80E  

Ford Transmissions
AOD
AODE
4EOD
C4
C6
Torqushift  
Dodge Transmissions
47RH
47RE
48RE
Torquflit  

Transmission Parts
Cons:     Poor cost / benefit ratio. Specialized cam cover can interfere
with stock water pump in some applications. Controversy surrounds
the belt's ability to resist stretch in applications where valve to
piston clearance is especially close. Limited availability for less
popular engines. External models are vulnerable to road debris.
Classifieds
Parts For Sale
Clearance Items
Overstock Items
Used Parts
New Parts
Track Adhesive


EFI