I have a quick question concerning underdrive pulleys. Is it worth the extra cost to purchase aluminum pulleys instead of steel? Im not concerned about what the pulleys look like.
It would be all looks the weight difference can't be that signifigent, and considering what they are would not be a factor. The aluminums would not rust, and look better longer. The cheapest would be good enough.....I think. I have read many times that they do make a difference and many people say that. I have read up to 15hp but that is likely on a hopped up engine not a stock one. The downside is if you do not have a 3G alt, and have AC, power options, big amp etc it may cause problems at idle for sure. You can leave the alt pulley stock to help this, but that is taking away some of the advantage of the other pullies. If your car does not have a lot of these options......get them!!!!! My car came with smaller pullies so I cannot compare and I have no power options so I have no problems with the alt, plus I hand polished my alt, so I ain't buying another one.
I noticed a difference also, but soon after I added the pullies I noticed the temp would rise a little quicker than normal. I added a four row radiator and electric fan. I then started waking up to dead batteries , so I added the powermaster alt which turned out to be junk so I added the PA performane alt. So these 80 dollar pullies ended up costing me around 500 dollars. So now your talking 15 HP max for 600 dollars
I bought the March power and amp pulley kit and I've have had no problem at all with over heating even while the AC is on in stop and go traffic or with a charging of the battery. I still have my stock Radiator and Alt also.
As far a gains the motor seems to rev a little quicker is about all I can tell, but I sure didn't feel a 15 hp increase.
Was it worth it
Rotational weight is a major issue, weather enought to justify cost, I don't know. Underdrives are one of the best bang for the buck mods you can do. They really help out in the low gears when your engine is revving up fast.
I have the FMS steel pulleys and hardly noticed a difference with them. The car reved a little easier, but I didn't notice a hp gain. Its hard to feel 5-7hp IMO.
where can you get a stock alternator pulley? im tryin to find one so i can swap out my underdrive pulley for it. actually wouldnt mind swapping them all out
I've been thinkin of this too for awhile, but I was reluctant cuz of my stereo... but that is true that you can leave tha alt pulley tha same... I might have to buy some now, haha
another question...ive never really had a chance to check the size difference between underdrives and stock pullies. are the underdrives bigger or smaller? i sound like such a newb right now
ASP and March sells individual pullies. I think ASP is better priced. I know ASP sells an alternator overdrive pulley, and both sell different choices in pulley configurations. Some configurations your hardly underdriven at all like some of the power and amp series's, all you really did is swap out steel for alumimum, but some kits are extreme like the race pullies.
I run the 2.5" alt pulley, there is a 3.5" unit also. I also have a 3" race crank pulley that is supposed to be here tomorow, but I don't if it will work for regular usage, but every little bit helps, at least for the track.