Do underdrive pulley kits really improve performance?
If so, are they worth the money?
Who makes the best ones?
Finally, are there any side effects of having aftermarket pullies?
(i.e. - exhaust makes more noise, springs give rought ride, etc.)

 

there is hardly any power gains from just the pullies alone.......maybe 3-4hp tops......the only draw back is that the alternator spins slower at idle so you loose .5-1V when it's idling.........as soon as you rev it up it will charge normally.

asside from that they are ok. i wouldent go out any buy AEM pullies. i would get OBX-R pullies. they look identical to AEM and come with 2 belts as well.

good luck.

 

When you say 3-4hp are you talking to the wheels hp, if so thats a lot considering the price of pulleys.

 

A point that was made clear to me is if you have a ZC you should NOT run underdrive pulleys. THe crank pulley on that motor is also a harmonic balancer and while they would fit. They would cause a premature demise of your engine. That isn't true of the B16A or the D15.

 

Yes, this is true. However if you had everything out anyway it would be okay since you'd probably be balancing the crank anyway with the flywheel and crank pulley on.

Keep in mind many pulley "kits" do not come with the crank pulley. This one is supposedly the one that yield the most "gain." The others don't really do much....at least in our cars. The crank pulley is also a pain to get access to.

 

What about the D17? I have a 1.7L SOHC 115HP, a 2001 Civic LX, with auto tranny.

AEM does make a kit for it. Should I get it? Will it muck up my warrenty?