looking to get steeda UD pullies for my 02 gt, was talking to my dad about them and he doesnt seem to think its a good idea his issue wasnt with recharging he seems to think because of effecting the water pump the engine wont cool enough. Now I have to swallow my pride and admit he does know more about cars than me, but i read a ton of reveiws and it seems like everyone loves them and has no problem. I mean in the end its my car and i make the decision but help me out here guys do i have anything to worry about with cooling issues or should i just do it???
dad has worries about UD pullies
- Thread starter seany425
- Start date
There is some truth to a lessening of cooling. Underdrives are meant for the track where the motor is seeing more rpm and slowing down of accessories isn't a issue in this case. I personally wouldn't buy any because of this. Some might disagree with me but I like knowing I have adequate cooling and charging.
NiteRydaGT
New Member
I've had mine on for months. No charging problems, no cooling problems. Isn't it true that since the accessories aren't pulling as hard with the u/d pullies on it extends the life of the water pump? I thought I read that somewhere. 
SR 97 GT said:I've had mine on for months. No charging problems, no cooling problems. Isn't it true that since the accessories aren't pulling as hard with the u/d pullies on it extends the life of the water pump? I thought I read that somewhere.
I would probably agree with that. Less rotations = less wear.
UD pulleys wouldn't affect anything UNLESS you start putting more wear on the pulleys your using. if you put a 3000 watt stereo system in your car that has UD's your using more power from the battery, so that means the alternator isn't charging the battery to it's full strength. you know what i mean.
Wolfhound
Founding Member
I had them on for about a year and never had a problem. I also live in Florida and never had a problem with overheating.
Defleshed
Satanic Mechanic
I'm in the north east. And I felt nothing. I didn't feel any more power, any less power, no cooling problems, no dimming problems, no overheating problems, no battery problems... Absolutely nothing. I have steeda's on an 02 GT. I'm sure there's some gain, but my ass doesnt feel it.
2001Saleen181
New Member
- Mar 20, 2004
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My Saleen came with factory UD pullies. I think some Roush mustangs also come with UD pullies. Never had any problems with factory radio, or lights dimming or heat. I also thought my car rev upped a lot quicker than other cars without UD pullies. just my .2. 
GOLDENPONY
Founding Member
jstreet0204
Active Member
reenmachine
20+ Year Stangneter 
fr96ss said:
Gotta love it when someone makes a statement like that with no explanation...
Anyway, do it. There is so much margin designed into your cooling system that you'll never notice the difference. The system is designed to be able to keep your car at proper operating temperature in Death Valley in the middle of summer, so unless you live there I'd proceed confidently.
tomustang made a good point about current draw though. The assumption here is that you haven't added much if anything that places a lot of load on your alternator.
myponyrocks
I have more billet on the Stang than most women ha
- Apr 18, 2004
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The guy that put mine on said that Steeda actually designs and presses a lot of the Ford Racing parts. He said the Steeda U/D's and the FR ones are nearly identical except for the Ford Racing stamp and the higher price of the latter.
Any how I have a 900 watt amp but with the 1 farad capacitor I havent noticed any difference whats so ever. As far as SotP gains, none really, the main difference was the lack of lag in 5th going up hills. It used to sap a ton of power, but it no longer does that.
Any how I have a 900 watt amp but with the 1 farad capacitor I havent noticed any difference whats so ever. As far as SotP gains, none really, the main difference was the lack of lag in 5th going up hills. It used to sap a ton of power, but it no longer does that.
trinity_gt
10 Year Member
I've got March piggyback UDPs on my 02 GT with just really one issue: at idle, when parking the car, power steering boost may be a tad low. This is only at idle though. Otherwise, no issues.
My one piece of advice would be to carefully consider the issue of the harmonic damper. When you pull off the factory pulley, you also remove the factory damper. The Steeda replacement has a damper as well but its reduced diameter means it has different damping characteristics. This may have long-term implications for the oil pump gear(s).
I used to hate my March's for being piggybacks but after reading of yet another UDP-equipped 4.6L grenading an oil pump, my opinion has changed.
My one piece of advice would be to carefully consider the issue of the harmonic damper. When you pull off the factory pulley, you also remove the factory damper. The Steeda replacement has a damper as well but its reduced diameter means it has different damping characteristics. This may have long-term implications for the oil pump gear(s).
I used to hate my March's for being piggybacks but after reading of yet another UDP-equipped 4.6L grenading an oil pump, my opinion has changed.
Tell your dad he worries to much. Tell him he should be worrying more about having to replace the tires you burn off, rather than any negative repercussions of a set of pulleys. 
......and causing the oil pump gear to fail!?! WTF
.....where do some of you get these ideas?
......and causing the oil pump gear to fail!?! WTF
.....where do some of you get these ideas?
BlackenedSVT
Active Member
Why not just upgrade the battery with a lighter one, and get a stronger alternator if you're worried that much?
