Timing Belt replacement - how often?

[palmfish]

I was recently talking to a well known (in my area) BMW mechanic who suggested that since I participate in HPDE's (5 or 6 times/year), I should replace the timing belt every 30K miles instead of every 60K miles due to the increased stress of high performance driving.

It's an M20 with JC chip and stock internals.

Thoughts?

[parkerbink]

-30.00 in parts or possibly a new head.

[StereoInstaller1]

I do mine at 30K or so. Cheap insurance, as said above.
Luke

[PeaveyBassist]

"Recommended is 50k or something. Do it before 45k and you should be good.

Will

[SpecM]

-The stress from driving events shouldn't matter. When in doubt, change it.

[palmfish]

Well, I'm in there adjusting the valves every 30K anyways.

I guess I'll go ahead and do it. Should I upgrade my valve springs too?

Oh yeah, where's the best (cheapest) place to buy the belt, water pump, gasket, etc.

[Jordan]

Um.. valve adjustments should come every 10-15k. Not 30k.

A timing belt isn't exactly a "while I'm here" kinda job for a valve adjustment...

www.BMAparts.com for a Contitech T-Belt/tentioner kit. Water pump too.

[palmfish]

Great, thanks for the info.

[nando]

if you've never replaced your timing belt it might take you a while the first time, but once you've done it a couple times it will take an hour at the most. replace your waterpump while you're in there..

[Jordan]

I've never seen anyone able to do a timing belt in 1hr man.

2-2.5 is pretty damn fast.

Chapel once took 13 hours :)