question on the pulleys

[chillinmp]

ok I was at SA site the other day and they have those new pully for the 3.4 and I was wondering if anyone has tried them yet? I have been looking for something like this for awhile now, but don't want to be the guinie pig, sorry but it is the only car I have. Let me know what you all think about them thanks.
dav

[MetaGTP1]

Originally posted by chillinmp
ok I was at SA site the other day and they have those new pully for the 3.4 and I was wondering if anyone has tried them yet? I have been looking for something like this for awhile now, but don't want to be the guinie pig, sorry but it is the only car I have. Let me know what you all think about them thanks.
dav Stay away from 'Underdrive Pulleys' ! Just ask Fast Steve about that.:(

[jaketuff]

Although FastSteve had RAT Pulleys, it seems that underdriving our system will lead to problems. Small problems like excessive headlight dim, significant problems like alternator wear and failure.

The gains to be had are so small anyway (5HP MAX) why take that risk without proven success from a company's R&D.

JOUT

[Sorry_Officer]

If I remember correctly RAT pulleys were MUCH different from stock requiring them to also include a different belt. SA pulleys do not require a different belt.

Also I would just like to point out that the pulleys most likely were not Fast Steves problem. A bad alternator can cause that same incident. I have already had that happen to me..........

Our stock alternators are not anything to be proud of. I have already replaced 2 and I have 75k. I have also heard of alot of other people having alternators blow on these cars.

Ohh, I still have stock stereo...........

I would just be careful before jumping to conclusions about SA's underdrive pulleys or pulleys in general. I have at least 10 people I know that have pulleys and no problems, and on the bigger engines (V8's and V6's) there are some very noticable gains to be had from a GOOD set of pulleys.

[nfsga]

I agree. I've had 2 alternators go out on my car and I don't even have 70,000 yet. I would get the pulleys, but I have a pretty large system.

[jaketuff]

Alternators may be faulty in cases. But I believe that AC Delco makes just as good electronic components as the next guy when it comes to the standard stuff - WAIT! Did I just say don't go aftermarket!!!? WTF On the girlfriend's Olds the alternator had to be replaced at 70k. On my old Buick (aka the "bit*h), I drove the snot out of her, had an amp, and some other electronics, blasted the AC - never an alternator issue.

But take as an example the coils. It is well known that the aftermarket spec coils do little to nothing over the stockers... and even with the big name companies the electronics involved in the coilpacks are VERY similar to the Delcos. So.... not much to gain, especially at 40 bucks a coil!!!

Anyway... my .02

Out

[Sorry_Officer]

But Jake, don't you think if you are underdriving the alternator that would reduce the stress level on the alternator?? You may not have as much recharging power but an aftermarket alternator 160amps would take care of that.........

All I am saying is you guys bash on pulleys so badly but yet you have no proof that these pulleys do any harm. I have yet to personally know a person who have problems with ud pulleys from reputable manufacturers.

[iceman]

If an alternator is going to go, it will go.. THat's a given.

With pulleys, the RPMs @ idle are not as high as before. It is the electrical system as a whole you are changing, not just the alternator. Get a good battery if you are going with pulleys...

Idle with pulleys vs idle as stock, the alternator will not be putting out as much of a charge..

[nfsga]

Well, yeah...when you have a circuit like in your car, it gets powered by whatever the highest voltage thing is in the circuit. Using UD pulleys just means that when you are at a stoplight the car will be using the battery(12v) instead of the alternator(~14v) to power stuff. Get an optima red or yellow and you should be set.

The actual charging of the battery by the alternator should be fine though. Even with stock pulleys the alternator puts out 14v at around 800rpm's...any more than that and it starts dumping the extra power off.

[chillinmp]

I already had a talk with the stereo gurus about getting a new alt, and I am going with that. so I figure that I will get the pulleys too, but my thing is that I was wondering if anyone has tried the SA pulleys yet. I would like to know if they could tell any difference with them. Small things go a long way When I am inspiring to bet ricers in bump and speed. hahahahahhahaha,
dav

[dirtmerchant]

My RAT pullies are off my car now cause the alternator went only a few weeks after I put them on. With the pullies on I would only get a little UNDER 12 volts of charge! NO GOOD......anyone want to buy them from me:)

[Blackrider]

The biggest gain would come form a lightend pully. A CRANK pully would do wonders. lightend pullys would not cause strain on the cooling and charging systems.

[SpyhunteR]

wel I have a set of pullies and i have not had a single problem at all w/ them since day one... beautiful..

mind this however.. i have a 2.4L motor it idles at 900rpm
and another side note.. i am using AEM alternator pulley, and Unorthodox Racing's crank pulley together as a combo...

[Blackrider]

Man i would consider getting rid of the Unorthodox underdrive pully i fue of my j-bodys buddys took theres off becasue it is not balanced and it is causing the end cap seal to leak go to www.j-body.org and look into it

[SpyhunteR]

i've had it on since almost january and I haven't seen any leaks.. at all.. I'm under my hood almost every other day making sure everythings' ship shape. Maybe just a bad install on their part?

[GTluver]

well like sorry_officer said....kinda sad that alot of ppl put pulleys down but they they gotta prove it.......

well, since im curious about all this, im ordering SA pulleys so ill see what all the fuss is about..and let everyone know about the + or - of this things......the gains, etc......

I shold be fine since i have an Optima Yellow battery, 160 amp alternator w/ brand new Gatorback belt.....4 Gauge electrical system wiring...If i notice any negative stuff about them, I will take them off immediately and put back on the stockers.......ill keep u all posted on how everything goes......wish me luck.....:cool: :thumbs:

[Sorry_Officer]

Gatorback belt will not work with pulleys. You need a bigger than stock belt.

Also make sure you have a 1/2" Impact with proper size socket to get the nut off the alternator. It's almost impossible without.

160 amp alternator?? Don't you mean 220 amp alternator??

[GTluver]

Originally posted by Sorry_Officer
Gatorback belt will not work with pulleys. You need a bigger than stock belt.

Also make sure you have a 1/2" Impact with proper size socket to get the nut off the alternator. It's almost impossible without.

160 amp alternator?? Don't you mean 220 amp alternator??

I wish it was 220 amp....but no .....its 160 amp

i bought it from here.... www.afterthoughtsauto.com

[Sorry_Officer]

Originally posted by GTluver


I wish it was 220 amp....but no .....its 160 amp

i bought it from here.... www.afterthoughtsauto.com

you can get the 220 amp from the grandprix store I think.