Solving the Accessory Drive Problem

Running power steering and air conditioning on a performance Holden engine introduces a packaging challenge. The front of the engine needs to drive multiple accessories - alternator, power steering pump, and A/C compressor - without belt slip, misalignment, or interference. A Gilmer drive system addresses this by replacing traditional V-belts with a positive-engagement toothed belt that eliminates slip entirely.

What the Kit Includes

The Speedmaster Holden Gilmer drive kit is designed as a complete system. Rather than piecing together individual pulleys, brackets, and belts from different sources, this kit provides everything needed to mount all three accessories to the front of a Holden engine. The toothed Gilmer belt ensures consistent drive engagement regardless of RPM, which matters when the engine is pulling duty across a wide operating range - from idle in traffic with the A/C running to full-throttle on the open road.

This video from Sydney Speed Supplies walks through the kit components and the installation process, showing how each accessory mounts and how the belt routing is configured. Proper alignment between pulleys is critical with a Gilmer system, and the walkthrough covers the key points to get it right.

Why Gilmer Over V-Belt

V-belts rely on friction to transmit drive force, which means they slip under load - especially when multiple accessories are drawing power simultaneously. A Gilmer belt uses positive tooth engagement, so the drive ratio remains constant. For a street-driven Holden running power steering and air conditioning alongside a performance engine, that consistency translates to reliability. No squealing belts at idle, no slipping under sudden throttle application, and no loss of accessory drive when the engine is working hard.

The clean appearance is a secondary benefit. The primary value is mechanical: a front accessory drive system that works as designed across the full operating envelope of the engine.