• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

steel VS aluminum under drive pulleys

  • Thread starter Thread starter russ1979
  • Start date Start date Mar 13, 2010

russ1979

Member
Oct 6, 2006
152
0
16
albuquerque, new mexico
Mar 13, 2010
#1
  • Mar 13, 2010
  • #1
Thinking about getting under-drive pulleys for my 88 5.0.
i noticed that you ca get steel or aluminum. i know alum would be lighter but other then that is there any reason to pay almost twice as much for the alum.
 
S

stangbang302

New Member
Jul 13, 2007
180
0
0
fort valley, ga
Mar 13, 2010
#2
  • Mar 13, 2010
  • #2
also stronger
 
S

Sicarius428

Active Member
Jan 6, 2004
2,085
5
49
Mar 15, 2010
#3
  • Mar 15, 2010
  • #3
They look nicer... I have steel myself though because they are sturdier. Mine are starting to get surface rust but thing that a rattle can can't fix.
Kevin
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,260
17,945
224
Massachusetts
Mar 15, 2010
#4
  • Mar 15, 2010
  • #4
They don't rust...less rotational mass...look better.


I have AL on my car...but lucked out because I was given them for free
 

PNW LSC

Member
Jan 6, 2003
85
0
16
Port Townsend
Mar 15, 2010
#5
  • Mar 15, 2010
  • #5
Aluminum looks nice, but once you get some mileage on the pulleys they can start to wear down. I have about 30k on a set and they have a deep groove where the belt rides.
 

Kdubslugga

Active Member
Jun 7, 2003
1,515
3
38
Akron, OH
Mar 16, 2010
#6
  • Mar 16, 2010
  • #6
Yeah, pretty much all has been said, They are lighter, you wont see much power maybe 1 or 2 hp, Alum look a lot better, just have to weigh your options. To me its not worth it to spend the extra money.
 
9

93luv

Member
Feb 24, 2010
35
0
7
san antonio
Mar 16, 2010
#7
  • Mar 16, 2010
  • #7
>>>>the wear is due to aluminum being a softer metal, mustang5l5 hit it on the head...thier selling lighter pulleys to reduce rotational mass just like when selecting flywheels.. steel or aluminum...Extra strength or Extra 'edge'
to me, unless you got other shiny bolt-ons (intake,tb,valve covers etc...)
itll look kinda funny if in stock form, if you just have 2 shiny-ass pulleys.

But then again u can get'em lite now and upgrade the others later...thatll save the head pounding of doin it twice. Like-dont buy a 190pump if in your future plan, your gonna someday need that 255
 

ALMOST STOCK

Founding Member
Sep 23, 2000
1,250
41
88
CA.
Mar 16, 2010
#8
  • Mar 16, 2010
  • #8
10 years and probably 24,000 miles (no it's not my DD) and I don't see any wear on my March Performance Aluminum UD Pulleys.
Yep.... they're not all created equal.
 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
15 Year Member
Jul 6, 2006
5,232
2,652
223
gainesville
Mar 17, 2010
#9
  • Mar 17, 2010
  • #9
ALMOST STOCK said:
10 years and probably 24,000 miles (no it's not my DD) and I don't see any wear on my March Performance Aluminum UD Pulleys.
Yep.... they're not all created equal.
Click to expand...

I love it when you chime in your car is one of the best hands down.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Engine Suggestions on an engine rebuild. Stock cam/GT40Ps or aftermarket on both for a fun weekend driver?
  • MadSquirrelTech
  • Apr 28, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
23
Views
833
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 7, 2026
MadSquirrelTech
Forced Induction Total Timing under boost
  • Dontknowchit
  • Aug 27, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
330
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Aug 28, 2025
Dontknowchit
B
Engine Strange Noise
  • burntokita
  • May 8, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
403
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 11, 2026
keel
S
Car shakes when taking off help???
  • STANKYstangs
  • May 10, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
334
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 27, 2026
LILCBRA
C
Engine Idle cuts out
  • claypoolxx
  • Mar 7, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
25
Views
768
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jul 24, 2026
alutwon
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?