I am fixing up a 1993 ES300 with the intention of selling it. most of what I've read steers people to Aisin as it is OEM. I don't want to spend a ton of $$. Aisin kits for everything are $200. cheapest ebay kit is $92 (gates I think). Many gates and dayco kits around $100-120.

ALSO a kit with an Aisin water pump, but belt name unclear. That kit is around $120.

So what are your thoughts? what would you do?

Are the cheaper pumps the issue and all the belts last pretty much the same? anyone ever break a cheap belt, or have tensioner noises?

thanks!!

 

I only used Aisin myself. The Aisin kit from Ebay usually comes with a Mitsuboshi or Bando belt. Both of these belts are OEM. I have never had a noisy tensioner. I would get the complete kit which comes with bearings and crank and cam seals.

 

Aisin. Thats the way i'd go.

 

Get it from rock auto, cheaper by a few bucks [always] than those eBay kits and you can get an additional 5% your order if you google for a discount code and enter it in the 'how you heard about us' bar when placing the order.

My buddy showed me the ebay kit for his IS300, and we priced out the same on Rockauto for significantly less.

 

cool, I'll give that a shot.