I'm looking to buy a pulley kit for my '94 Lude. It has an H22. I've come across the AEM Tru Power Pulley Kit and the Unorthodox Racing Ultra-SS Underdrive Pulley Set. I've noticed that the Unorthodox Racing Kits cost almost an extra $100. I was wondering if they are worth the extra $100 and what people's experiences with either of these products are. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

AEM kit comes with power steering and alternator pulley only while Unorthodox Racing comes with crank pulley, power steering pulley and alternator steering pulley. I had UR set on my car for like 2 years now. I can't tell you what the difference in performce between the two is, because I never used AEM. But I'm happy with UR, nice gain and good quality.

 

The AEM underdrives your alternator and power steering pump - the kit has two pulleys.

The UO kit underdrives your system from the crankshaft pulley - the power steering and alternator pulleys are lightened but are stock size (not underdriven). As you probably figured out already, the UO kit has 3 pulleys which is why it costs more.

There is a big controversy as to whether replacing the stock Honda crank pulley with the UO will accelerate engine wear or induce premature failure because it is not harmonically dampened. You won't be able to find hard evidence that points either way, just opinions - search if you want but you'l only get even more confused/frustrated than before.

The truth is that neither frees up all that much power. You can get a little more low end - just a few wheel horsepower though

My advice is this - forget the pulleys and put your money towards one of the following:

1) good suspension if you don't have it already (like Koni shocks/ Ground Control sleeves), Neuspeed or Progress rear sway bar

2) Neptune or Hondata so you can get the car tuned and make some real power

 

Go to a junk yard and pull the PS pulley off a 98+ Accord. Then go buy a 41" belt. The pulley is noticeably lighter then ours, and is slightly larger. Probably pick up .5 hp at most. Also, when you remove the pulleys, the one on a newer Accord is normally threaded, and the one on our cars is reverse threaded

 

Ive had both on my lude and the URSS kit is by far better at making noticeable power. Way better kit IMO. And it wont hrt your bearings or whatever. Many of us have ran it for years.

So from a dude who has had both on his lude, go URSS

 

UR is better IMO. As stated above, the AEM kit only gives you the PS and alternator pulley. Better to have all from the same source. The UR crank pulley

There is pretty noticeable mid range gain. You won't be disappointed in the mod. Better yet, take the PS pump off, drill out the high pressure fitting and loop the PS.

 

Bottom line: AEM pullies will not give you very much power...all they are is lighter & larger alt. and PS pulleys. A full UR set will give you better gains (though not a whole lot) as it will replace the crank pulley as well as the alt. and PS with lighter, underdriven parts....I wouldn't reccommend the crank pulley on a high HP turbo/NA car because of the harmonic issue.

I have a UR crank and alt pulley, no PS or AC and no balance shafts and I'd hope I gained a little something....