🔩 Gates TCK328 PowerGrip Timing Belt Component Kit: Superior Quality for Perfect Engine Performance Review

The label on the package clearly states that all components except the small bearing are made in Japan. The reality is that only the tensioner and belt are made in Japan. Not cool. As an installer, this puts me in a difficult position. Should I return it, pay more for the OEM, and incur more downtime, or should I use what I have?

So I've been without a car for a few days so I was dying to get this kit from Revain. I started installing the pulleys in this kit threaded and torqued to spec, I followed the tensioner bleed procedure and left the belt intact to ensure it wasn't contaminated with anything that might affect durability. When I decided to put a timing belt on, I noticed that there was no timing mark!

The timing belt tensioner small bearing hole is too long, the idler pulley bolt only goes 1/4 inch over the standard, about half an inch. 1/4 bolt thread is not enough for a high load engine like EJ205, EJ255 or EJ257. When the bolt engages and the engine is ready. I do not recommend buying this kit, otherwise you will have to buy another tensioner to replace the one that comes with the kit. By the way, I end up having to buy a KOYO tensioner to replace what came in the kit. hmm

Perfect kit for my EJ255. Although Gates chose a manufacturer other than OEM Subaru, the belt tensioner and components are made with high quality seals. A lot of people complain about Chinese parts instead of Japanese ones, but these parts are serviceable and still a great option rather than an OEM purchase. I used a similar Gates TB kit on my Impreza 06 N/A and was a bit apprehensive at first. However, everything works with no issues and I'm sure this kit will do the same.

Great set! The kit includes everything shown plus a small tube of Loctite, clear instructions and a spacer for the timing belt guides which came in handy! The only extra they might include is a cheap special tool to hold the cams in place on the driver's side. It could be cast in plastic, like a guide pad, that would slide between the teeth. (If you've done this work you know what I mean.) Also, a near-perfect kit! All parts looked high quality and the fit was spot on. I went for the kit…

Complete set installed, everything driven about 200 km. One night as I was driving home, my Legacy turned itself off and wouldn't turn back on. I checked the car the day after towing it home (thank god for ahh) and found that the intake cam bank 2 had jumped 90 degrees. I found that the tensioner that came with the kit wasn't giving the belt enough power. I also checked the rollers, the small roller had some play after tightening. So I hoped and prayed, installed the previous tensioner (ntn)…

I was told on the forums to search for "toothed belt" to find the one that says "gates" and buy it. I'm glad I did. First, idle actuators (because I drive them first) are way better than OEM (Subaru WRX in my case). OEM idler pulleys had bearings that were half pulley. Gates was in full growth. This caused a small problem with the small diameter, requiring a longer bolt (about 1/2 inch longer on the WRX). I was a little disappointed that this 79 cent part wasn't included, but I had the right…

EDIT: Please note that my original review (below) reflects what came with this set at the time of my purchase. Two years later, when I bought a gate kit for another Subaru, I was disappointed to learn that the original, exactly the same as the dealer, had tensioners and rollers replaced with unnamed Chinese parts (pulleys) and a Canadian-made tensioner ( which, according to recent reports, causes noise and belt slip), I can no longer recommend this kit. However, you can buy identical individual