pulleys

[fireman02]

I am new to this site so sorry if this is a topic that has been covered before. I just bought an unmolested 88 LX. My first mods are going to be an exhaust and pulleys. My question is besides weight what is the difference between March's aluminum and steel pulleys? The steel ones are only 49.88 through summit while the aluminum are 139.88. If there is not much difference I would rather save on the steel ones and put the money towards something else.

 

[Jaswir]

i dont think there much of a difference... maybe lighter and just cost more to make? but u can get cheaper aluminum ones on ebay or something brand new for about 90 bucks or cheaper... just a warming you might have charging issues or cooling problems... most of the time its not worth the 5HP or so increase! Well i had a charging issue and took em off... wasnt worth the problems i was having! if u do install em dont install the alt pulley! just my .02 cents

 

[wild86stang]

I agree with Jaswir, although I'm sure there are many people who install them and don't have problems. As far as steel vs. aluminum, maybe the lighter weight is good for more horsepower (less weight to get spinning). However, I would think it would be almost negligable. Maybe there's some other obvious reason that I'm missing.

 

[CRASH7772]

I changed TB/EGR to 70mm and pullies and dropped some good E.T. for $$ spent and felt a big difference in SOTP. I did upgrade to a Powermaster 140alt though and I have a electric fan but don't even run the fan unless in traffic (stock t-stat). Mine are steel and from MAC but if I bought another set I would probably try aluminum. I have heard the cheaper aluminum sets can warp easily.

 

[Sicarius428]

My steel ones are rusting! The powdercoating has worn through and is flaking off... it looks gross. Get the street kit if you get pullies... it will help compensate for cooling and voltage a bit more than the race kit.
Kevin

 

[criticman]

I have MAC steel ones. They still look brand new and the car is kept outside. Speaking of which, if you make an offer, I need to get rid of them since I am about to supercharge.

As for the charging/cooling issues. I have never had a cooling issue, but I replaced the radiator (OEM version from Advance Auto) and water pump (Summit Racing) before I did the pulleys. I DID have charging issues, but that is because of the original battery being crap. To fix that, I swapped the stock alt pulley back on and got a slightly different belt size.

It rev'ed faster and felt a bit more power in terms of SOTP when I installed the pulleys. Gas mileage went up about 1-2MPG as well when I was being nice to it on the highway.

 

[fiveohwblow]

I also had the mac ones until I supercharged and they were awesome. Since you are new to the site I am going to assume you have also not been versed in the alt/charging arena of foxes... My reccommendation; get the pulleys, and a 3g alternator upgrade. The stock one is next to worthless with only stock components. As for not installing the alt pulley from the kit, thats a good suggestion UNLESS the kit that you purchase has a compensation pulley that will spin you alt faster, but these are not as common.

I have seen multiple tests yield much more than 5hp. In fact, on a BONE STOCK 5.0 I once saw them yield close to 15hp and 15tq. With just pulleys and heavier tires and Magnaflow CB I ran a 14.2 my first time ever at a track. They are a good upgrade.

 

[btr]

I have the March pullies and haven't had a problem. I'm sure the steel is heavier and could chip and rust, but cheaper.

 

[vikingpower]

Instead of getting pulleys, ditch the mechanical fan get an electric one. That's what really sucks the HP. That way you still get optimum charging and proper coolant flow thru the engine. I've got BBK alum pulleys, and my car doesnt charge at idle which is irritating! And of course I dont have my stock pulleys anymore.

 

[TomCat]

I love my pulleys... got BBK aluminum ones. $80 through work and they work awesome. No charging issues, but I do run a 140a alternator. No cooling issues either, but I do run without a condensor and a flex fan.

 

[srothfuss]

If it's stock and you are looking for a place to start, you can choose to follow this list:

First mods should be as follows (my take):

In order of Priority
1) Subframe connectors (SFC's) full length ones are prefered for a stiff chasis
2) Gears: 3.73:1 or 4.10:1 seem to be the popular choices
3) Full Exhuast (headers, hi-flo cats, catback +mufflers)
4) Buy a K&N panel filter (no CAI kit required) and put it in the stock box
5) Bumped timing to 12 - 14 degrees (free mod) 10 Degrees is stock.
6) Larger MAF, TB (MAF cars from 1988 california only, 1989-1993)
7) 3G alternator upgrade / electric fan
8) Fix the weak brakes

Optional MODs:

9) Strut tower brace (necessary on Convertibles IMO)
10) Underdrive pullies (they can't be used on S/C motors and cause charging problems)
11) Weight reduction out of the nose of the car
12) Shocks/Struts and lowering springs
13) C/C plates if you lower the car
14) Short throw shifter (if you have a manual transmission)

After those (the basics), it's pretty much up to you. There are plenty of Super Chargers or Heads, Cam and Intake packages to choose from.

Also, don't forget about the basic tune up
1) Changing all of the fluids (oil, coolant, trans, rear end, brake and some of the power steering)
2) Plugs: (non-platnum type) Autolite or Motorcraft are prefered
3) Oil filter: Motorcraft or equivalent (not FRAM)
4) Air filter: see first mods item #4
5) Plug wires: Ford Motorsport (FRPP) 9mm units are great
6) Cap / Rotor
7) Oxygen sensors

 

[ninety15.0]

I have the aluminum pullies and did not install the alt. pulley. I have a weak battery, crapping out altenator, and a 1200 watt system and it did fine for over a year until the alt. finally took a poop. But i noticed a decent SOTP improvement with the pullies aswell. They are light and the red coating is still lookin good!

 

[1SLWGT]

I BOUGHT THE ALUMINUM BBK'S AND EVENTUALLY HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP PULLEY BACK TO THE STOCK ONE. THE PULLEY WORE DOWN AND I STARTED LOSING BELTS. BBK COULDN'T GIVE ME ANY ANSWERS ON THAT SITUATION. GO WITH THE STEEL PULLEYS. THEY ARE CHEAPER AND THEY WON'T WEAR DOWN.

 

[vikingpower]

I BOUGHT THE ALUMINUM BBK'S AND EVENTUALLY HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP PULLEY BACK TO THE STOCK ONE. THE PULLEY WORE DOWN AND I STARTED LOSING BELTS. BBK COULDN'T GIVE ME ANY ANSWERS ON THAT SITUATION. GO WITH THE STEEL PULLEYS. THEY ARE CHEAPER AND THEY WON'T WEAR DOWN.

My water pump pulley is doing the same thing, wearing down a little over the years. Athough it hasnt caused any belt issues.

 

[Sicarius428]

BBK might be using a softer al than some other companies. Stick with the companies that specialize in these things like March. BBK is like the jack of all trades but master of none company.
Kevin

 

[Topdowncruise]

I am new to this site so sorry if this is a topic that has been covered before. I just bought an unmolested 88 LX. My first mods are going to be an exhaust and pulleys. My question is besides weight what is the difference between March's aluminum and steel pulleys? The steel ones are only 49.88 through summit while the aluminum are 139.88. If there is not much difference I would rather save on the steel ones and put the money towards something else.

I got the steel set;no reason that justifies the extra $90.In fact,I couldn't justify spending $140 on pullies for the gains you achieve.Summit will let you substitute the smaller 'amp" pulley on the cheaper March set I bought for only $4 more.