My next mod

[94camaro25]

Well, it's time for a new mod :D !! I'm thinking of installing a set of underdrive pulley's. I haven't hardly done any research on them yet. I've heard some stuff, but I rather get the word from you guys first.

My camaro is a 94 with the 3.4L automatic tranny. I saw some pulley kits on e-bay for like 50 bucks. The thing I don't like is they do not help you with the new belt size!! WTF???

Yesterday, I went to a parts store to pick up some stuff and asked if they carried any kits. Of coarse they didn't, but if I knew of a manufactor, they would order it for me. The hell with that!! Anyway, the dude says to me:"be careful that those pulley kits they'll make your car over heat and you'll need to put a bigger radiator in her to keep her cool". Is that a load of crap or what? Now, can you see why I want the skinny from you guys???

I would like to know how it effects our cars, if any. Is this a worth wild mod to do or would you do some else instead ( I've done the tb by-pass, MAF sensor mod, flow master w/ 3.5 tips, hi flow cat., as soon as I get the parts in I'm doing the t-top conversion, and after this next mod I plan to change the rear end)? Who's product should I consider to buy?? What size belt should I use?? Any info would be great, thanks.

[JoshMcMadMac]

The manufacturer of the pullies should know what size belt to run. If not, it becomes trial and error time with the parts store.

Underdrive pullies can cause charging and cooling issues. The whole concept of an underdrive pulley is that they are smaller and lighter than stock. As such, the accesories they are attached to do not spin as much as with stock pullies. The power gain from these pullies is typically pretty minimal. If you do a lot of stop and go driving, and are in a warm climate like you are, you will probably start experiencing both charging and cooling issues. Personally, I wouldn't do it, but that is my 2¢.

Just remember, there is a reason the car is built a particular way at the factory. Sometimes cost is involved, but many times there is a great deal of engineering put into a part, and trying to do better than that often comes with repercusions.

[94camaro25]

Okay, I'm not sure I like the fact I'll have charging and cooling issues. I wonder how much of a problem it would be??? Don't get me wrong, you're 2 cents well taken. I wonder if a 160 therm. would take care of cooling?? It be interesting to hear from someone who has them!! What mod would you do next?? Thanks.

[JoshMcMadMac]

A larger thermostat will not account for the fact that the pump is running slower. It will take longer for the engine to overheat, but the end result is the same. And the 160º thermostat has been attributed to a slight loss in gas mileage. Plus you certainly will be cold in the winter with it.

For additional mods, have you done a CAI? That is very simple. A set of headers would complement the rest of your exhaust quite nicely. And depending on the direction you want to head with the car, suspension upgrades abound.

I am sure that you will get other opinions, and most likely they will disagree with me. If nothing else, just remember what I said about the original engineering of the vehicle. There is a reason the car has certain parts, and you need to take that into consideration before swapping them for "performance" parts.

[94camaro25]

Darn it!!! I was hoping the 160 would take of the problem. Okay, looks like I'm passing up the underdrive pulley mod. Doesn't sound like it's gonna be worth the trouble. Whats a CAI mod involve??

[Rune]

Plugging it in [img]smile.gif[/img]

[JoshMcMadMac]

CAI - Cold Air Intake

Personally I think a homemade DIY (Do It Yourself) intake is just as good as the $150+ setups that are sold out there. Get a decent filter and a 3" tube and you're good to go. Maybe you should take a check out this: http://mods.firebirdv6.com/. It is a link from this website. It should help you decide what all you want to do.

[White95]

I haven't had any problems with my underdrive crank pulley, you can also feel the change is acceleration aswell

[94camaro25]

I feel real stupid. It hit me after I asked "what the heck is CAI". I already have a nice setup. I have a stage 2 cold air intake. The cone sits about 10" from the ground, pulling fresh cold air into the intake. I got it new off ebay for like $30.00!!

white95-- what size belt did you get? Did you do the alt. pulley as well? MAdmac recommands I look into header, I notice you got Pacesetters. You happy with them? Did you do the install yourself?