I was advised that after I purchase and install aftermarket headers/exhaust (which will be done soon(er) than late(r), I should install aftermarket AEM pulleys.

Would someone please explain what these will do for me performance-wise?

I have an AEM CAI w/bypass valve. It's a great product, so I won't have a problem sticking with AEM as a company... I just don't know what aftermarket pulleys will do for me.

Thanks for the info!

P.S. Any other recommendations as what I can do to increase HP w/o raping my engine's warranty? The car's only 3 1/2 months old!

 

I have the Aem pulleys right now and I really dont feel a difference at all. I also have a Unorthodox crank pulley that is going to be put in in a couple weeks. I guess the dyno numbers I've seen with the Aem pulleys at best was like 3-4hp. Some people just take off the ps belt and gain about 4-6 and its free.

 

My ITR gained about 5 hp across the board with the AEM pulleys, and another 3 hp when I removed the PS belt...


Jason

 

i did not feel a diff w/ the pulleys
i say save ur $$ and buy some cam gears or JDM 4-1 header w/ all the fixings.

 

I can't speak to their effectiveness (but others have already done so) but I can tell you what they do.

Your accessory drive belt, which is driven by the crankshaft pulley and drives accessories such as the air conditioner, power steering, etc, works similar to a gear train. The diameter ratios of the crankshaft pulley to the various accessory pulleys determines how fast they will spin. The larger the crank pulley and the smaller the accessory pulley, the faster the component will spin. Also, just like gears, the more torque it takes to turn the accessory. So if it takes 5 ft-lbs of torque to turn the power steering pump at 2000 RPM, and the crankshaft pulley is twice as big as the power steering pulley, the engine has to exert 10 ft-lbs of torque, which at 2000 RPM is 3.8 HP. (these numbers are fictitious and illustrative only.)

So, to reduce the drag on your engine, the aftermarket pulleys "underdrive" the accessories. They make the crank pulley smaller and/or the accessory pulley larger, slowing the accessory and reducing the load on the engine. If they make the ratio 1:1, the torque draw is halved. Also, the pulleys are often lighter than stock, reducing the rotational inertia and allowing the engine to rev more freely, similar to a lightened flywheel (but not nearly as dramatic a difference.)

One thing to keep in mind: when you underdrive accessories, such as power steering and alternator, you are also reducing the output of these devices. So if you've got a huge stereo, underdriving your alternator may cause a voltage drop in the overall system, especially at idle.

 

Thanks for the explanation... Looks like I will keep the pulleys as is...

I love a quick car, but I also like my electronic components working well too!

There's gotta be other ways to make power ;-)

 

good explanation dude

 

I have a set of AEM pulleys and didn't notice a thing out of them. On the other had I am not taking them off just for asurance. I also have a big system (two 12's with 2 400w amps) with other electrical items. At idle I can have all my lights on plus my system pounding and my volt meter reads a <U>little</U> less than 12V. When I am driving down the highway I am showing 14V

 

pulleys add ZERO HP!!! I'd like to see a dyno plot that shows 5 hp across the board!!! BS!!!! Pullies added only 1.3 whp on my 96 LS!!!!! Removing the PS belt
is far better than getting pullies and that only adds 3 whp!!!! so can pullies
add 5 hp???!!!!!!

 

First off, u say they add "ZERO HP!!!" (with the caps and everything), and then u say 1.3whp.. I agree though that 5whp is bullshit, but hey, these are the kinda statements that get people to spend $200 for next-to-no gains..

There's a whole helluvalot of resources available on making your car fast for little money.. If u want to be fast, you won't be buying your stuff from a place that sells air fresheners..

Also, the usual bolt-ons are not going to void your warranty.. They have to be the sole reason for any damage done.. For example, if your wheel falls off and the dealer says u have an aftermarket intake and the warranty is void and they're not gonna fix your wheel.. Basically, if u have nitrous and u blow your motor, take the nitrous off, or if your wheel falls off, make sure u put your stock springs back on or whatever, you know? For more information about this, peep http://www.sema.org/warranty/..

 

I highly recommend them as a base modification !

Here are some simple facts:

Pros:

Pulleys in an otherwise stock engine WILL add some Hp in every section of your powerband.... range will be from 1-5 Hp along the powerband and depending on engine tune and condition.

They allow faster and more rapid power delivery at every rpm

They allow you to keep your p/s and extend the life of both alternator and p/s system by not taxing the parts

EVERY part you put on will give you slightly more Hp than the other guy w/o pulleys

Pulleys for Honda's are CHEAP.....

Cons:

If you don't do the install yourself, it may cost you as much as the pullies to put 'em on unless the mechanic cuts you a deal....

Just removing p/s belt will add more Hp than the pulleys and it's free (But you will have NO power steering)