serpentine belts
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 242
From: NW Chicago
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15
serpentine belts
I was in need of the main belt due to a gouge in it. Purchased a napa belt, made by gates and got her back on the road in a few hours.
My question is, after looking at replacement belts on Rock Auto, most of the aftermarket belts were fairly cheap, under $15. The OEM AC Delco belts were about $44 each.
Are they that much better or special. Going to swap out the pulleys and tensioners with AC Delco originals, but on the fence for the belts. Thoughts?
My question is, after looking at replacement belts on Rock Auto, most of the aftermarket belts were fairly cheap, under $15. The OEM AC Delco belts were about $44 each.
Are they that much better or special. Going to swap out the pulleys and tensioners with AC Delco originals, but on the fence for the belts. Thoughts?
Instructor
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 244
Likes: 131
From: Beautiful Texas Hill Country
I opted for the Rock Auto ACDelco 19244950 GM OE belt and GM OE ACDelco 12568181 matching tensioner....as it exactly duplicated the original 2004 equipment on my vert. To each his/her own. I have nothing against Gates or any other mfg. All good products.
.
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,035
Likes: 1,156
From: Oregon
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
I used the Gator back belts to get rid of my belt noise and they have lived up to there reputation.
They are now sold under the name Continental Elite Series belts.
They are now sold under the name Continental Elite Series belts.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 719
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From: Northern Ohio
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Unfortunately the Continental Elite Series belts have been discontinued. I just recently tried to locate those belts because of a slight chirping of my a/c belt. I tried to contact Continental and was unsuccessful. I finally called Summit Racing and they told me they were no longer being made.
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 719
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From: Northern Ohio
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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I'm sure there's a surplus out there but rest assured the Elite Series belts have been discontinued. They were replaced with OE technology belts which are a straight rib design and look like a normal belt. So you might want to buy up as many Elite or Gatorback belts as you can if you can find them. I just found an a/c Goodyear gatorback belt on Ebay and grabbed it up.
