NEW DRIVE BELT DESIGN COMPARISON F3 vs ST

[CUSTOM STS]

This Saturday I went on a demo ride on the new F3 and saw the drive belt was solid material and alot stronger made. I'm curious if I could replace my belt #705501576 with the F3 belt # 705501304. Theres a reason why BRP upgraded the F3 with a stronger belt and I'd like to find out why. Thanks.

[DLewis]

If I'm not mistaken, The F3 belt is longer than the one on the ST

[Bob Denman]

It is longer... it won't fit!

[CUSTOM STS]

Thanks guys. That helps me resolve this debate. I hope once I need a belt, BRP will hopefully have a stronger one for our models.

[DrewNJ]

Stronger belt? If your ripping up belts you've got something going on.

[CUSTOM STS]

My belt's still in perfect shape. I only have 3k miles. Im just very picky and like to spend money at times. But when I felt the thickness and different texture on the F3, I started to wonder if a stronger belt would allow a stronger tension to prevent belt vibration. Although I can spend $295 for the belt pulley mod. That might end up being my next add on.

[DrewNJ]

Don't over think it. The belt vibes have nothing to do with the strength of the belt and excessive tension will ruin the output shaft bearing. Since its a long belt, a tensioner helps with the vibes if that is what your looking to accomplish.
Otherwise, ride more worry less! [emoji106]

[CUSTOM STS]

You're right thanks for the advice

[Chupaca]

If you change your sprockets as well it would fit...but they modified the belt for just that reason, it longer.

[CUSTOM STS]

If you change your sprockets as well it would fit...but they modified the belt for just that reason, it longer.

Smaller sprockets longer belt? Makes sense. Well thanks for pointing that out. Im sure someone is going to try to eventually tweak the configuration on sprocket size on our 998 to see if it makes a difference in low end and top end.

[CUSTOM STS]

If you change your sprockets as well it would fit...but they modified the belt for just that reason, it longer.

Smaller sprockets longer belt? Makes sense. Well thanks for pointing that out. Im sure someone is going to try to eventually tweak the configuration on sprocket size on our 998 to see if it makes a difference in low end and top end.

[jcthorne]

Its the rear sprocket on the F3 that is different and its larger, not smaller. Thus the longer belt. I look forward to seeing this sprocket applied to an RT.

[Bob Denman]

They use the same size sprocket as the RTs; on the European F-3s...
I wonder if there is some interchangeability hiding in there?

Usually... A stronger belt may take more horsepower to bend it around the sprockets.

[Frank G]

Stronger? In which way? Show me the engineering data!

[CUSTOM STS]

They use the same size sprocket as the RTs; on the European F-3s...
I wonder if there is some interchangeability hiding in there?

Usually... A stronger belt may take more horsepower to bend it around the sprockets.

you are correct. It is bigger. I just did more research. But I also found out the F3 comes with 2 sprocket options. The standard double 3 spoke wheel, similar style to ours, is 79 teeth part #705502016 but the new design 6 spokes is 89 teeth part #705502187. Ok this is definitely something that I want to eventually test out and see if it makes a better difference or not. Guess when the day comes that i need a new belt im going to buy the F3 belt and rear sprocket. But the question now is which sprocket combination will be better. Im also researching on making horsepower future upgrades eventually. unfortunately I can't buy a vehicle and leave it stock. But who really does? Lol

[retired1]

Smaller sprockets longer belt? Makes sense. Well thanks for pointing that out. Im sure someone is going to try to eventually tweak the configuration on sprocket size on our 998 to see if it makes a difference in low end and top end.

At one time, there was a manufacturer of a different sized sprocket for the 998. Using the search function, you should be able to find the many posts about this option from s few years ago.

[900Dave]

you are correct. It is bigger. I just did more research. But I also found out the F3 comes with 2 sprocket options. The standard double 3 spoke wheel, similar style to ours, is 79 teeth part #705502016 but the new design 6 spokes is 89 teeth part #705502187. Ok this is definitely something that I want to eventually test out and see if it makes a better difference or not. Guess when the day comes that i need a new belt im going to buy the F3 belt and rear sprocket. But the question now is which sprocket combination will be better. Im also researching on making horsepower future upgrades eventually. unfortunately I can't buy a vehicle and leave it stock. But who really does? Lol

I had to quickly delete my comment as I mispoke. The larger rear sproket will increase rpm's Give you more power at the bottom, from a stop. But also lower top end. Most likely decrease fuel mileage, maybe. It will allow you to get into 5th gear at a lower speed. Non of this is an issue with the 1330 as they have more gears, more power and the 1330 is just begging to be twisted a little harder. My guess is BRP wanted to increase performance on the F3 and this was the easiest way to accomplish that.

[CUSTOM STS]

I had to quickly delete my comment as I mispoke. The larger rear sproket will increase rpm's Give you more power at the bottom, from a stop. But also lower top end. Most likely decrease fuel mileage, maybe. It will allow you to get into 5th gear at a lower speed. Non of this is an issue with the 1330 as they have more gears, more power and the 1330 is just begging to be twisted a little harder. My guess is BRP wanted to increase performance on the F3 and this was the easiest way to accomplish that.

Well said.

[Bob Denman]

unfortunately I can't buy a vehicle and leave it stock. But who really does? Lol

You have some questions to put forth to your dealer...
Will the F-3 front sprocket bolt up to your ST?
If that can't happen; you're stuck!
Will the RT and F-3 rear sprockets bolt up to the same wheel?
You may need to purchase the wheel off of a "1330", and get creative...
The 89 tooth sprocket will raise rpm levels, but give a stronger launch off of the line.
The 79 tooth sprocket will mimic what you've got.

The question then becomes: what are your plans for the horsepower end of this project?

I've played this game with other vehicles, and it's REAL easy to spend cubic dollars; for linear increases in performance...

[CUSTOM STS]

You have some questions to put forth to your dealer...
Will the F-3 front sprocket bolt up to your ST?
If that can't happen; you're stuck!
Will the RT and F-3 rear sprockets bolt up to the same wheel?
You may need to purchase the wheel off of a "1330", and get creative...
The 89 tooth sprocket will raise rpm levels, but give a stronger launch off of the line.
The 79 tooth sprocket will mimic what you've got.

The question then becomes: what are your plans for the horsepower end of this project?

I've played this game with other vehicles, and it's REAL easy to spend cubic dollars; for linear increases in performance...

What I really would like to do is install a 1330 engine in my STS. After doing the demo on the F3, the only thing I liked was the horsepower. My STS is way more comfortable for me than the F3 and the overall look I prefer mine. My future plans is getting ahold of a 1330 engine if possible. But of course I would research mounting points and all. Project for another year or too.

[Bob Denman]

The bodywork won't begin to allow it... Sorry!
Just for starters; where would you hide that 2nd radiator?

[CUSTOM STS]

The bodywork won't begin to allow it... Sorry!
Just for starters; where would you hide that 2nd radiator?

I haven't looked that far. It was just a thought!

[Bob Denman]

More than half of the fun, is in the figurin'!
There's always the possibility of a turbocharger...

And they DO fit!

[CUSTOM STS]

More than half of the fun, is in the figurin'!
There's always the possibility of a turbocharger...

And they DO fit!

That I also had in mind. I had several turbo experts that said they could help me create a Turbo setup. Looks like thats going to be my cheapest and less headache route.

[Bob Denman]

Aerocharger had a kit for the RS a few years ago. They're worth a call.