Oldskool84

What are the pros and cons of serpinetine systems?

MDchanic

Pros: Everyone will be impressed that you spent so much money on something that provides absolutely no improvement in function.

Cons: You'll spend a lot of money on something that provides absolutely no improvement in function.

- Eric

joe_padavano

Factory serpentine systems with a real reverse rotation water pump are designed to save cost and weight. Aftermarket psuedo-serpentine systems that use a conventional water pump and a boatload of idler pulleys to get sufficient belt contact force do a great job of separating the buyer from a couple thousand dollars. The extra idler pulleys also impart higher side force on the water pump bearings, shortening pump life and increasing lost horsepower.

These systems are bling for posers.

455man

^ That was pretty much my conclusion after researching it also. I think I heard some people say they liked having one belt instead of 3.

joe_padavano

Ask those people how much they like having only one belt after they toss the belt on the road. With multiple belts, break one and at least the water pump keeps turning, so you can drive to a place where you can get a new belt. Throw the single serpentine and you're dead in the water.

MDchanic

Exactly.

- Eric

455man

Yeah I didnt understand the reasoning either.

Oldskool84

Ok.... I thought i was alone in thinking these were pointless. At the same time , I've seen so many ads for them that I started to think " maybe they know something that i dont?"

oldcutlass

They have something I don't, money to spend on useless things.

76olds

I have to say I looked at them I personally think they look great under the hood, But way too expensive, Also march pulleys say its an edelbrock water pump for the olds, but I can find one.