hmmmm so where can i get a after market one or a subaru one? any idea?

At a hack Subaru/Coventries for a Genuine one, I think...

After market would be available at any Repco/Veale Auto Parts/Auto One etc etc

Fair enough if you want to use an aftermarket spark plug, or air filter, or anything else really...but with something as critical as a timing belt, why risk it?

Stock belt works fine in any application, and it really isnt that expensive either....you know its going to work as intended for many years also.

To throw even more fuel on the fire, I know a case of a Gates belt on an R33 Skyline that stretched and threw the cam timing out..

See, I bet the majority of aftermarket manufacturers dont have to meet Subaru's high quality standards, where as the one chosen to produce OEM components, more than likely does.

That manufacturer is more than likely six sigma quality certified also, which is a big thing for many manufacturers, especially in regards to critical components such as timing belts.

Not saying aftermarket parts are bad whatsoever, in fact, many are better than some of the OEM in a high performance application...but its not worth fucking around for something as critical to the life of your engine, as a timing belt.

aftermarket manufactureres do-not stand by any form of warranty.

the 'guarenteed to manufactures standards for 100,000km' means nothing.

__________________

Long live the WRC

i have seen many genuine timing (from all cars, including subaru) belts shear teeth and fall apart, it is usually time, oil leaks or less common something seizing which cause the belt to fail.

__________________
Version 6 STI

That doesn't mean that an aftermarket one in identical circumstances would have faired any better?

__________________
MY99 WRX sedan WRC blue Sold :(
MY99 WRX sedan Dark blue pearl :D
MY97 Liberty Outback Ltd Wagon
1990 Mk3 Supra turbo fully rebuilt 7M-GTE (Older son)
1991 Celica GT4 (Younger son)

Correct but a Gates timing belt is considered by many in the Industry to be better than original.
If your not comfortable with that opinion then stay with an original, no harm done.
Everyone would agree interference engines like ours can not afford to have cheap shit no name brand timing belts.

__________________
Speak to Shane @ SMC Tyres, Unit 6/385 Sevenoaks St Beckenham WA 6107. Mobile 0413 128 087. Tell him Maddog sent you!

sorry, i should have put in that i have also seen aftermarket ones fail. which is also true. But change it every 4 years, or 100000k (possibly before if you really want) and make sure you never have any timing cover oil leaks, always replace your water pump, idlers each time and you will be fine. But as maddog said, if you prefer stay with a oem timing belt. then thats fine too.

__________________
Version 6 STI