C2D49666 is the newer bracket which also comes with a newer style groove pulley, which is really no use to us at this point because we’re putting on the velocity AP pulley.

 

here’s the video explanation and briefly showing my crank pulley install once again. If anyone needs a full detailed video of the crank pulley install, I’ll be glad to share that. But here’s the latest video

 

Hey everyone,

I’ve been working on upgrading the supercharger belt tensioner setup on my 2015 Jaguar F-Type R (5.0 SC AJ133) and could use some insight from those who may have tackled this before.

I recently ordered a new OEM Jaguar tensioner bracket assembly (which came with a fresh tensioner already bolted on). Out of curiosity, I unbolted the tensioner from the bracket, and noticed that the divots and guides on the back of the new OEM tensioner match my original factory unit exactly.

Here’s where I’m stuck:
When I try mounting the VelocityAP tensioner onto this new bracket, I’m still seeing the same odd angle that looks abnormal — almost like the pulley isn’t sitting flush. It makes me wonder if buying the new bracket assembly was redundant, because I’m getting the same result as before.

I’ve already purchased the longer VelocityAP belt for the upgrade, but before I go any further, I want to make sure this setup is correct. Has anyone else experienced this same issue with the bracket/tensioner angle when using the VelocityAP upgrade? Did you find a workaround or was there something specific about the installation I might be missing?

Any advice, photos, or firsthand experience would be hugely appreciated. I’m hoping VelocityAP can also chime in, but I know a lot of you have been through these upgrades and might have the exact insight I need.

Thanks in advance for the help!

— Austin

 

I would suggest reaching out to VAP to get their input on this issue. I believe they have been working on some design changes with the supplier of their tensioner.

 

Hi Austin. I would recommend reaching out to us at VAP if you have any questions or problems before ask people here who don't have the answers for you. Before you go to the trouble of producing a whole video about it.

Our supplier made an error on this production run, apparently there is a back section which is very similar to another tensioner they produce and they assembled with the wrong parts. Our shipping department sent out emails to everyone who we shipped a tensioner to this week, notifying them of the issue, and informing them of next steps (we are trying to arrange collection to exchange.) Please check your emails or reach out to shipping@velocityap.com with your order number and Cassandra will facilitate this for you.

 

Hi Stuart,



Thank you for your reply and for clarifying the situation. I want to assure you that it was never my intent to cast blame on VelocityAP or speak negatively about the company. I hold VelocityAP in high regard and respect the work you do — that’s exactly why I continue to use your products.



When I made my forum post and short video, it wasn’t to criticize, but because I genuinely thought I might have been installing the part incorrectly or missing a simple step. It only took me a few minutes on my phone to put that together, and my intention was simply to reach out for help — not to undermine or badmouth VelocityAP.



As I’ve said before, I would always reach out to VelocityAP directly before making any claims about issues with your products. In this case, I didn’t realize I was dealing with a product issue at all — I honestly thought it was a personal error on my part during installation.



It also hasn’t even been 24 hours since I received the part, and I’ve been at work all day. My plan was to contact you directly once I had the chance — which I will do first thing tomorrow since I’m off. I hadn’t seen the shipping department’s email about the production run issue, but I’ll double-check my inbox and spam folder to make sure I didn’t miss it.



Please don’t take my post as anything more than me trying to troubleshoot what I thought was my own mistake. I fully recognize now that this was due to a supplier error, and I’ll reach out to Cassandra at shipping@velocityap.com with my order number to get this resolved. At this point, I just want everything fixed and working correctly.



Just visualize what I saw from my side — as someone installing the part and documenting the process on YouTube, I was simply sharing the steps I took. It isn’t personal, it’s just me showing my process and asking for guidance.



Thank you again for your help and for the clarification — I really do appreciate it.



Best regards,

Austin James

 

It is a good idea of course to talk to the vendor to sort out issues, but I for one appreciate Austin's efforts in documenting and sharing the details (has some really good content on other things as well, like removal of stubborn injectors). I was considering upgrading my tensioner as well and I am glad I now know there are manufacturing defects identified in both the crank hubs and some of the tensioners. I then checked when my lower hub was purchased and I *think* I am in the clear! Let us know Stuart when you have your tensoner QC sorted out. Thanks!

 

@Life And Projects By Austin YOUTUBE Hey I just jumped on here as well, but posted the same thing on the video. Looks like @Stuart@VelocityAP already commented above as well. I've watched your videos and feel like I have gotten to know your personality by watching. I agree, I think you are trying to be helpful to others, and while I cannot speak for Velocity AP, I can imagine that a post or video on something like this, probably causes a ton of extra strain for their business. Other customers who think they have a faulty tensioner for example, when they might not be in the bad production batch.

While no ill-will, just easier sometimes to just reach out to the source and get things resolved. THEN if you wanted to, post the video/forum post with the entire story, versus having to go back and do a retraction or update. Maybe not great for YouTube, but probably better for the ongoing relationship, that you appear to enjoy, with Velocity AP. Just my two cents as someone who also has a lot of their products on my own F-Type. In my experience, the length they go to for awesome products and ever better customer service, is second to none!

Glad this is getting sorted out for you.

 

Hey Austin, get this resolved with VAP yet? Interested to hear what you think of the new tensioner (once a good one makes its way to you).

thanks,
Brad

 

If you notice with the bracket with pulley the pulley is smaller and the vap pulley is smaller your stock is bigger

 

After a two week turnaround for the backplate change out due to the earlier manufacturing issue, I finally received my new tensioner pulley.



As soon as it arrived, I compared it against the previous pulley, sizes and mounting plates were virtually identical. Because they matched so closely, I realized the OEM bracket I purchased wasn’t even necessary. I went ahead and installed the pulley using the original longer belt without testing the shorter belt. After the install, it became clear that the shorter belt would have been far too tight and caused more problems than it solved.



That means I ended up buying parts, the OEM bracket and shorter belt, that I’ll now have to return, completely unnecessary in the end.



The good news, once everything was mounted, I drove the car all last night, and it seemed to be stronger and harder than before, with zero belt slippage. After about six weeks of downtime, I’m finally back on the road and couldn’t be happier with the results.



I will continue to do testing from 0 to 120 miles per hour somewhere in Mexico to confirm that everything is working and shifting correctly without any slippage. After I complete these hard pulls and confirm that the car is no longer having the issue I’ve been experiencing in third gear at the very top of the RPMs, I will go ahead and install my transmission tune. I’ve had the tune since the beginning of the year but have been waiting to put it on because I didn’t want to add any upgrades until this issue was resolved. Hopefully, this is the resolution.



So far, I am very satisfied with this new pulley, and I thank Velocity AP for the assistance in correcting the issue.

Jaguar F-Type R – New Tensioner Pulley Installed (No More Slippage!)

 

Hi Austin,

The OEM brackets are not the same, hence why Jaguar themselves don't supply just the tensioner if you are replacing the early, smooth pulley tensioner with the later, grooved style. If you don't want to fit it, that's fine, but I'd expect you to have belt longevity issues. There are some critical dimensions that are different.

 

My car was in a range where JLR changed the belt recommendation, so the one I initially installed with the lower pulley was slightly long. I only noticed slippage (top of 3rd on the 6MT) when the weather turned cold and the air density went up. Even if things check out fine now, make a note to re-check when the weather changes. The shorter belt VAP now ships for my VIN range fixed it right up. As usual, Stuart was on top of it.

 

Thanks for posting this update Austin, really helpful for us others considering these products. Glad you were able to sort it all out.

 

OK thanks, I plan to change it next week. My birthday is this weekend.