Atomic

iTrader: (42)

I did some testing on my stock whipple tensioner compared to the "HD" tensioner that is sold by magnacharger. I dont believe whipple sells a HD tensioner, for their auto kits anyway, but as we know in this hobby anything is possible with enough effort!

I am pretty sure the stock whipple and magnacharger tensioners are the same. The part number for the 8rib tensioner is Gates 38518. For the whipples anyway, the tensioner needs to move out about 13/16" to align with everything. Your mileage may vary on that, but I am using the 8rib IW kit on my whipple.

I used a torque wrench to find the force required to rotate a certain degree. Everyone knows the HD one is an upgrade but I wanted to quantify that.

Test setup:


And heres the results:


Considering my cheap torque wrench isnt the most accurate thing, I dont know how much faith I put in the absolute numbers (I would guess +/-5lb), but comparatively it should be pretty good.

The HD one looks to be about 33% stiffer and also has about 9 more degrees of rotation.

Not ground breaking but I thought it was worth sharing.

Vortec350ss

iTrader: (20)

Good info!! Thanks Richard

TX Tahoe Z71

iTrader: (28)

Is the Gates 38518 tensioner a direct swap for the stock tensioner on the Magnacharger accessory bracket?

Atomic

iTrader: (42)

Except for the part that it needs a spacer then yes...

I should note, I broke my tacd on waterpump pulley the first day really getting on it...probably has something to do with the HD tensioner.

flatblack83

I'm glad to see that the hd is alot better before i buy it...lol. The research is much appreciated. I called magnuson last week, you can't just buy the spacer. The whole thing is 175.00 plus shipping. Superchargers online has it right now for 178 with 10% off. I bought one, hopefully i see it next week.

Atomic

iTrader: (42)

Hell I should start selling them as a kit then, spacer didnt cost me much to make at all.

flatblack83

I read on here somewhere that the pulley that comes on the (hd)gates tensioner needs to be changed. Is that right to run 8 rib..?

Atomic

iTrader: (42)

The pulley that comes on it is 8 rib. It's actually meant for an 18 wheeler engine.

flatblack83

Is it ok to use or does it need to be changed, ill try to find the link where i seen that. If you used the one it comes with then i won't bother looking. I'm only asking for future referance for anyone doing it like you did.

Atomic

iTrader: (42)

It's fine to use as long as it's centered on the belt.