MM3Kwolik

First off let me start by saying I build motors and do a LOT of work on many S2000's (for those that don't know), so I've seen my fair share and replaced many tensioners, some factory, some not.

Clearly we all know of the main options when it comes to TCT replacement, OEM (which will fail again), InlinePro, Ballade, and Billman's. For the price, buying another OEM tensioner just seems silly. Eventually it will fail again and you'll be back in the same boat. I've replaced some in the past with brand new OEM units which have yet again failed after ~20K miles. Billman has and always will stand behind his product. He has crafted it into a thing of beauty and perfected it in every way with his Generation-X tensioner. I run one, multiple customers of mine run them, and I have NEVER once seen a Billman tensioner fail, ever.

The same can not be said for the others, which is what truly sets Billman's apart from the rest. Essentially (I know this will probably be disputed), all other aftermarket tensioners are identical in almost every way shape and form (unless you count the anodized options Ballade sells but that's nothing more than aesthetics). They use identical springs and pins to push the piston. Problem that I've seen with some of these "other" tensioners is the fact that the pins are not made out of a hardened steel, which over time with EXTENDED use, is ground away by the much harder higher carbon steel springs that are used.

I'll let the pictures do the talking.... it was only a matter of time before this pin failed resulting in complete and catestrophic failure of the engine...

sillyboybmxer

I noticed the oil hole on the side is larger than others(cant remember which brands do that vs ones that dont at the moment). Does that just allow more psi to push the spring? ??
I noticed Toda makes one too but nvr seen any info on it. Do you know what makes that one different? ?

michaelnyden

I am not here to slam Billman, I think he has a great reputation and does great work. I have a 2003 and had my OEM tensioner go out last year, replaced it the Billman one which worked great until I got the BC cams. I think the billman is not strong enough (spring) to provide adequate tension for the higher lift cams and the resulting extra tension needed to be provided on the timing chain. I think his TCT is great for those with OEM/factory cams, but certainly not for the BC ones. I can confirm this with many reputable s2000 mechanics such as Tony Fuch's who originally suggested his tensioner then did the cams install and valve adjustment, only to see the billman TCT go out/start making a racket after only a few hundred miles. Tony and other mechanics confirmed the billman TCT was not able to provide adequate tension with the BC cams but it worked just find prior to the BC cams...we double checked and made sure the valve specs were within spec from BC just to rule out valvetrain noise each time.

MM3Kwolik

Have you talked to him again since the release of his Generation X tensioner? He offers a free upgrade service. I'd contact him.

Billman250

Thank you Jordanksartell....

When did you purchase my TCT? If you still have our original correspondence, bump it up in our PMs. Every TCT I sell is recorded with the screen name of the owner, and yours is not coming up.

My TCT did not "go out" as you say, you changed the application. There's a big difference between noise returning due to application change, then having the part itself actually fail.

I have a note about these things in my order information. All you had to do was inform me, and I'd send you the proper tensioner for your BC cam application free exchange.

That's why its a LIFEtime guarantee. Anyone running my TCT has my tech support for life. It goes way beyond just sending you the same part and saying "try this".

I can't work with you if I am in the dark

sillyboybmxer

Billman250

michaelnyden...you said you had a couple s2k mechanics involved in your noise. Went through some opinions.

And you didn't send me a note before that, like "hey Billman I have some TCT noise with my BC cams, thoughts/can you help"

If I bought a part from John Smith, and I changed the dynamics of its surrounding parts and noise returned, I would ask John Smith about it. I wouldn't post "Well John Smith's part didn't work for me" without asking him first.

Think about that.

You don't post your "bad experience" until you go to the vendor and ask how he can help.

I can find no record of even selling to you. If I missed it somehow, lets work it out. I have a TCT configured for high lift cams. This is me standing up with my lifetime guarantee, it is up to you to accept it.

Seanix

^ ^ ^ now that's proper customer service.
I wouldn't post on a public forum without at least trying to resolve it with the vendor first

SmokeyGatto

Billman makes me think i'm in a parallel universe. Unlike most specialists, this guy actually knows what he's doing and he enjoys doing it. As well as knowing the S2000 backwards and forwards, he's also a machinist, which means he can do/make just about ANYTHING.

But my favorite thing about Billman, is that he tells you when you dont need certain parts. I was considering buying something for my car and instead of telling me it'd be a great investment, allowing himself to make money on the install. He advised against it citing several reasons why it wasnt necessary. If you ask him a question, he'll give you an straight answer and it'll be a very thorough one at that. WHO ELSE!?

No other mechanic is this honest, hell very few people are as stand up as Bill. How many big companies would warranty a wear and tear item in a motor. NONE. How many companies will warranty your product, 5+ years down the line with no receipt. ZERO.

Hell i bought a battery from honda in the last 6 months.Now its dead as a doornail. Thing says 100month warranty. They told me to f myself. If it was a billman anything, i'd be no problem.

Now this might just be me, but i like to keep the money in the fam. Bill's the unofficial god father of the s2K. if i gotta spend money, its going to him.

mattstryfe

I can confirm this. I had an old gen1 or 2. It was replaced with a GenX, by Billman, as quickly as USPS ships boxes from NY to VA.