anothernord
02-20-2009, 06:05 PM
So I got a lightweight crank pulley from Mid Atlantic Machine on ebay for ~$60 shipped, and recently installed it.
I opted to have a friend hold the brakes with the car in 5th gear and E-brake fully applied. I then used a breaker bar with a 6 foot extension. With the engine warm, and one good pull, the bolt came loose and I was in business. I did have to take out one of the radiator fans for enough clearance; it was nice to have the extra room and it took less than 5 minutes. Its held on by 3 bolts and an electrical connector.
The stock pulley is torqued to well over 130ft/lbs, but since the lightweight pulley is aluminum, it should be torqued less to avoid crushing or bending the metal. So in the end I followed Perrin's advice and went with 94ft/lbs of torque on the bolt.
Driving impressions: The first thing I noticed was that the engine revs up and down faster, and the throttle is more sensitive. On the road, there is a small increase in acceleration in 3rd and 4th gear. It is about the difference between the air conditioner on and off. Also, when letting off the gas in lower gears, there is a noticeable decrease in the bucking and surging of the engine. Downshifting is a little bit easier and doesn't pull the car so much if I don't quite match the revs. Upshifting is also slightly faster since the revs drop more quickly.
Bottom Line:, I think that its a worthwhile mod; it makes a bunch of small improvements that really make the car easier and more fun to drive.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/0219091721-1.jpg
The stock pulley literally weighs as much as a brick, this lightweight one feels like nothing in comparison.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/0219091722-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/0219092030-1.jpg
^^ don't worry, I took this pic before the belts were tightened.
I opted to have a friend hold the brakes with the car in 5th gear and E-brake fully applied. I then used a breaker bar with a 6 foot extension. With the engine warm, and one good pull, the bolt came loose and I was in business. I did have to take out one of the radiator fans for enough clearance; it was nice to have the extra room and it took less than 5 minutes. Its held on by 3 bolts and an electrical connector.
The stock pulley is torqued to well over 130ft/lbs, but since the lightweight pulley is aluminum, it should be torqued less to avoid crushing or bending the metal. So in the end I followed Perrin's advice and went with 94ft/lbs of torque on the bolt.
Driving impressions: The first thing I noticed was that the engine revs up and down faster, and the throttle is more sensitive. On the road, there is a small increase in acceleration in 3rd and 4th gear. It is about the difference between the air conditioner on and off. Also, when letting off the gas in lower gears, there is a noticeable decrease in the bucking and surging of the engine. Downshifting is a little bit easier and doesn't pull the car so much if I don't quite match the revs. Upshifting is also slightly faster since the revs drop more quickly.
Bottom Line:, I think that its a worthwhile mod; it makes a bunch of small improvements that really make the car easier and more fun to drive.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/0219091721-1.jpg
The stock pulley literally weighs as much as a brick, this lightweight one feels like nothing in comparison.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/0219091722-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/0219092030-1.jpg
^^ don't worry, I took this pic before the belts were tightened.