Thread: Go 8 rib or get a belt wrap?

As of now I'm on a 3.0 pulley. I recently converted to e85, so I'm going to try a 2.8 after winter. I heard that once you go below a 3.0 you are more susceptible to belt slip. Would it be worth it to upgrade to an 8 rib setup or just opt for a belt wrap kit? If I were to go 8 rib I would probably invest in an OD balancer. One thing I wouldn't be looking forward to however is swapping the balancer out, as I heard the bolt is a b*tch to get off and that you need a puller to remove it. I was looking at the WBS belt wrap for a while, but it recently changed and is of a different style now that I'm not sure I'll like. Any suggestions?


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^^ Agreed. See if you need it first, then I'd be more inclined to go wrap before balancer. Although balancer is about a 10-15 min swap out.

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

^^ Agreed. See if you need it first, then I'd be more inclined to go wrap before balancer. Although balancer is about a 10-15 min swap out.

10-15 min? Maybe for you Bill lol. Probably would take me a good chunk of a day! The reason I'm leaning towards balancer is the opportunity to get the 5% overdrive version.

Oh and 8 rib looks cooler IMO..


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Chris.. stop on over. It's a quick one wheel jack and remove. Drop the belts, zap the bolt, put puller on it, zap that. Sit new one in place, engage keyway and zap bolt. Put splash shield and wheel back on.. put belts back on.

The bolt shouldn't fight unless it was overly coated with locktite when the cam was installed, and I doubt that happened.

BTW: If you need part numbers for the rest of the pullies in the width that works with the 8 rib, they are listed in the common part thread.

Doesn't zzp and smoothflow sell complete 8 rib kits?


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both. because then you look like a boss.

do both....

you dont NEED the 8 rib balancer to go 8-rib... and you can find the proper pulleys on rockauto from various vehicles for the setup for around 20 bucks instead of ordering a "kit" from the vendors. Been rockin it for about a year now.

Originally Posted by gtpsleeper

you dont NEED the 8 rib balancer to go 8-rib... and you can find the proper pulleys on rockauto from various vehicles for the setup for around 20 bucks instead of ordering a "kit" from the vendors. Been rockin it for about a year now.

So you don't run an 8 rib balancer?


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100% false info.

You need the Balancer to run the 8 rib belt. You can run the 8 rib pullies with out the 8 rib belt but not the other way around

Think its worth getting the zzp 5% OD balancer? Or should I stick with the regular 8 rib since it's half the price...


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Originally Posted by 2003 SSEi

100% false info.

You need the Balancer to run the 8 rib belt. You can run the 8 rib pullies with out the 8 rib belt but not the other way around

No, you dont...

people have been using the stock balancers for years now problem free... all you NEED is the wider smooth/idle pullies and your set (assuming he already has an 8 rib SC pulley).

Originally Posted by gtpsleeper

No, you dont...

people have been using the stock balancers for years now problem free... all you NEED is the wider smooth/idle pullies and your set (assuming he already has an 8 rib SC pulley).

I would still probably run an 8 rib crank pulley to be on the safe side.. The last thing I need is for the belt to fly off at 6000+ rpm.


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Originally Posted by crbquist

Think its worth getting the zzp 5% OD balancer? Or should I stick with the regular 8 rib since it's half the price...


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IF you decide you want to get a balancer do the OD for sure... I would get the pullies for cheap first, put the 8 rib on and then decide from there if you want the balancer. If you still do, then you already have a functional 8 rib to run while saving for it.

Originally Posted by crbquist

I would still probably run an 8 rib crank pulley to be on the safe side.. The last thing I need is for the belt to fly off at 6000+ rpm.


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youd be the first I ever heard of... lol

Originally Posted by gtpsleeper

IF you decide you want to get a balancer do the OD for sure... I would get the pullies for cheap first, put the 8 rib on and then decide from there if you want the balancer. If you still do, then you already have a functional 8 rib to run while saving for it.

I did some research and the OD balancer just spins the blower faster, about equivalent to one pulley size drop. I could save a lot of money by just getting the standard size 8 rib balancer and just running .1 smaller of a pulley. Also, I would not have to run the oil neck spacer that way.


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read the other benefits of the OD.... its a way better quality the last I saw

the balancer itself is way nicer. i'd never buy an aftermarket balancer without getting the good one.