Doing my T-Belt...whats needed, whats not...

Ok its time for the old t-belt change. Im tight on funds, so for those in the know, whats really needed other then T-belt and water pump, and whats "probably not" needed.

Any help appretiated.

 

Definately do the tensioner. I would buy one of those packages ($250ish) that replaces all the pullies too. They are known to fail but many haven't changed them and been just fine.

 

yeah if the pulleys sound like skateboard wheels its time to replace those. and absolutely do the tensioner. also, probly do the water pump while you're in there. wouldn't hurt. hear of some people also replacing the oil pump, but i dont think thats necessary.

 

The water pump really isn't 'that' necessary just safe insurance. Haven't heard of many water pump related failures. The stock one my old WRX had 160K on it and never once had an issue.

 

I look at it this way, since you're already in there, you might as well do everything now. Sure, you may have never seen a water pump fail before but it'd be your luck that it would shortly after.

 

Ok few more questions. Do i need to replace the entire tensioner set-up or just the pulley?
Should i stick with OEM stuff, or is aftermarket the better way to go(gates racing stuff). Whats gonna end up costing me less?

Found an entire gates racing replacement kit for $440(http://www.jscspeed.com/catalog/Sub...Timing_Kits_Components_for_02_07_WRX_STI.html), and honestly i just cant afford that. Obviously if i skip the ancillary pullies, water pump, and if only the tensioner pulley is needed i can cut out alot of that cost. The question remains, ok to skip some of those items, or is it a running subaru knowledge that those items give out quickly past their 90k intended life?

Or do something like this, non name brand, no tensioner assembly but new tensioner pulley(which leads me to believe the pulley and bearing is the actual wear item?)...
http://www.macautoparts.net/ProductInfo.aspx?id=6408797