Underdrive pulleys...anyone tried them?
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: OKC, Okla.
Underdrive pulleys...anyone tried them?
I installed UD pulleys in my wifes 03 Mustang GT...after I had allready installed a CAI and Flowmaster 40s. The UD pulleys made a very noticable improvement and realy woke the car up.
Has anyone installed any on their truck? I have a 01 F-150 SC 4X4. I've been thinking about adding this to my mod list but not sure what effects it has on our trucks.
Has anyone installed any on their truck? I have a 01 F-150 SC 4X4. I've been thinking about adding this to my mod list but not sure what effects it has on our trucks.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Lehigh Acres, FL
UD (under drive) pulleys are supposed to reduce the drag caused by the A/C compressor, power steering pump, alternator, water pump, etc. By making the crankshaft pulley smaller, the belt moves fewer inches per revolution, saving a pony or two in the process. Add a larger water pump pulley, a few more ponies are saved. In one kit, they even throw in the alternator pulley. I'm going to try a set within the next month or so, and I'll do a follow up post. 
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I'm not a big fan of ud pulleys without an electric water pump. I just don't like the idea of spinning my water pump that much slower when I'm trying to squeeze out extra power. I may have an alternative though.
In my vette, I run a 160 degree stat. It allows the engine to run at a much lower temperature. Ever notice your truck runs better in the cool of the morning as oppesed to the afternoon heat and humidity? Well, a colder stat simply "tricks" the car into believing it's morning all the time.
As with every "cheap" horsepower gimmick, there is a downside. By running at lower temps, the engine cannot effectively burn off condensation and impurities within the oil. So, for a vehicle taking short trips, this may not be such a good idea, and oil changes should happen more frequently.
anyone run a colder stat in their truck?
In my vette, I run a 160 degree stat. It allows the engine to run at a much lower temperature. Ever notice your truck runs better in the cool of the morning as oppesed to the afternoon heat and humidity? Well, a colder stat simply "tricks" the car into believing it's morning all the time.
As with every "cheap" horsepower gimmick, there is a downside. By running at lower temps, the engine cannot effectively burn off condensation and impurities within the oil. So, for a vehicle taking short trips, this may not be such a good idea, and oil changes should happen more frequently.
anyone run a colder stat in their truck?
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
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From: BC, Canada
I've seen a few thermostats go bad in these trucks allowing the engine to hit 170 degrees or so.
Sometimes the check engine light will come on because of it.
Most often the complaint when a thermostat is bad though is that the gas mileage has gone downhill bigtime.
Sometimes the check engine light will come on because of it.
Most often the complaint when a thermostat is bad though is that the gas mileage has gone downhill bigtime.
Last edited by Racerguy; Apr 27, 2005 at 11:47 AM.
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Originally Posted by Racerguy
I've seen a few thermostats go bad in these trucks allowing the engine to hit 170 degrees or so.
Sometimes the check engine light will come because of it.
Most often the complaint when a thermostat is bad though is that the gas mileage has gone downhill bigtime.
Sometimes the check engine light will come because of it.
Most often the complaint when a thermostat is bad though is that the gas mileage has gone downhill bigtime.
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if you run too cold of a thermostat, you stay in warm up mode. in my mustang i wont go under 180. i put the stocker back in the truck when i felt it needed replaced. stock is like 195 i think.
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Originally Posted by SHUSTANG
if you run too cold of a thermostat, you stay in warm up mode. in my mustang i wont go under 180. i put the stocker back in the truck when i felt it needed replaced. stock is like 195 i think.
If by "warm up mode" you mean "open loop" then I wonder if that's such a bad idea if your looking for performance. Does anyone know what sensors are shut down in open loop?
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: NE Texas
I'm a big fan of underdrive pulleys and a big opponent of 160 thermostats. I have run underdrive pulleys on my Vette for about 10 years. I drove it once in a stop and go traffic jam for about 8 miles on a 105 degree day and the temps stayed very much under control.
The low temp thermostat not only allows for acids to build in the oil, but also the engine will just wear faster with a lower temp stat and that is a proven fact. I have miced a number of blocks over the years and the interior cylinders, that is those with another cylinder on either side, have less wear than the end cylinders which run cooler.
Have a great day,
Doc
The low temp thermostat not only allows for acids to build in the oil, but also the engine will just wear faster with a lower temp stat and that is a proven fact. I have miced a number of blocks over the years and the interior cylinders, that is those with another cylinder on either side, have less wear than the end cylinders which run cooler.
Have a great day,
Doc
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Originally Posted by MBDiagMan
I'm a big fan of underdrive pulleys and a big opponent of 160 thermostats. I have run underdrive pulleys on my Vette for about 10 years. I drove it once in a stop and go traffic jam for about 8 miles on a 105 degree day and the temps stayed very much under control.
The low temp thermostat not only allows for acids to build in the oil, but also the engine will just wear faster with a lower temp stat and that is a proven fact. I have miced a number of blocks over the years and the interior cylinders, that is those with another cylinder on either side, have less wear than the end cylinders which run cooler.
Have a great day,
Doc
The low temp thermostat not only allows for acids to build in the oil, but also the engine will just wear faster with a lower temp stat and that is a proven fact. I have miced a number of blocks over the years and the interior cylinders, that is those with another cylinder on either side, have less wear than the end cylinders which run cooler.
Have a great day,
Doc
You are ASE certified? then I would assume that you already know that HEAT is the number one enemy of an internal combustion engine. Yes, acids and impurities are enemies as well, but they are SECONDARY to heat.
As for your vette. From the description above, I can only assume your vette is not a C4 LT1 1992-1996 version. If that were the case, it would most definately run VERY hot on the day described above. Especially with a stock stat and UD pulleys.
I do agree that there is a proper "operating temperature" for all vehicles. Understanding this, I know that with a colder running engine, I must change/flush my fluids more frequently than most, due to the above mentioned acids and contaminents.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
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From: BC, Canada
The NASCAR engine builders run their engines hotter now than they used to. They have proven that a hotter engine builds more power.
What you don't want hot though is the air going into the engine. The cooler the air the denser it is and that makes power.
I read somewhere that they now are happy as long as the engine coolant stays under about 230 degrees or so.
What you don't want hot though is the air going into the engine. The cooler the air the denser it is and that makes power.
I read somewhere that they now are happy as long as the engine coolant stays under about 230 degrees or so.
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Originally Posted by Racerguy
The NASCAR engine builders run their engines hotter now than they used to. They have proven that a hotter engine builds more power.
What you don't want hot though is the air going into the engine. The cooler the air the denser it is and that makes power.
I read somewhere that they now are happy as long as the engine coolant stays under about 230 degrees or so.
What you don't want hot though is the air going into the engine. The cooler the air the denser it is and that makes power.
I read somewhere that they now are happy as long as the engine coolant stays under about 230 degrees or so.
a NASCAR approved crankshaft is 13k alone. How many 4.6's can we buy for 13k?
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Originally Posted by daytomann
WOW...LOL..all this temp and thermostat talk is interesting 
but has anyone tried UNDERDRIVE PULLEYS on their truck??? (back to original question please.) 
but has anyone tried UNDERDRIVE PULLEYS on their truck??? (back to original question please.)