VERY VERY short belt for the track...anyone done this??
 

I was thinking about next time I got to the track, just putting on a belt which runs the water pump and alt. Anyone tried this? What kind of gains are possible and is it safe?

You could try that, the tough part would be routing it to keep the CCW rotation of the water pump.

Your best bet might be to run a belt around the alternator, A/C (if not running, it is free-wheeling), WP and crank. That way you bypass the PS and smog.

Long as you keep the proper rotation on your water pump you'll be fine, like Time89 said. A guy in my club runs a belt like that at the track, bypassing the ps, a/c, and smog. I've seen guys pull the belt alltogether before they run down the strip, that'll give you the best results if you really want a couple tenths. Pull it off right before you run and put it back on the return road. Not my thing, but I've seen several guys do it and get results.

This may help.

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2...ps/index.shtml

belt size
 

i run mine like that all the time i have a race crank pulley and a cobras water pump pulley and a small alt pulley it takes a 39 in belt

I run mine like that all the time too, it's worth it. The only thing is on an 87-93, don't know about yours but it should be the same, you have to grind the end off the spring in the idler and put a bolt through the middle of it to let it come around enough to put tension on the belt.

Bypassing the PS and Smog will give you the most gains and as long as you keep your air conditioning off, the compressor pulley free wheels because the clutch isn't engaged.
Another thing i've heard of is wiring up a switch that kills the alternator right before you take a pass and you can switch it on at the end of the run and that is like a free 5 hp. The entire resistance of an alternator comes from it being electromagnetically charged when it's charging the battery. a switch on the control circuit side of an added in relay should be easy enough to wire in (wire in so the circuit is normally closed and opens when the relay field is activated). Just an idea.
Good luck,

Edit: sorry Tim89LXvert, i guess i repeated part of what you already said :D

I know a guy that does the alt kill swich on a carbed car, i wouldnt do it on a efi car. I just ran a shorter belt last nigh at the track, it didnt give me any gain, although i got more wheelspin, but no gain in mph, so i put the belt back on and ran a 14.0003 with a 1.999 60'. with a bog, humidity was bad, the short belt just doesnt work for me, but works for others, maybe if i can get traction, it either spins or boggs, need gears.

That is the best answer right there. If a pulley or two mean that much to your time, then do it right and just remove the belt. 10 seconds to get it off, and 10 to get it back on. You don't sacrifice any creature comforts or legally required devices, and you don't have to buy special brackets or belts. Simple, quick, and free. What more could you want?

Take care,
-Chris

I USED TO HAVE AN 89LX, AND I JUST RAN THE BELT SO THE WATER PUMP WAS GOING BACKWARDS, THE CAR STILL RAN VERY COOL, I HAD IT AROUND THE ALT. WP, AND CRANK