Underdrive Pulley

[moebius]

Eitherway, there is little to no performance advantage for an underdrive pulley - if there is, please post a dyno which proves it (ie, from a real person, not a manufacturer).

I highly doubt you'll find dyno proof of more than say 1 hp difference - and I'd be surprised at that even.

[papychulo82]

you guys that have the UR and other brand name pulleys..you think the OBX pulleys would be much diff?? i was thinkin about gettin a set of pulleys but just not sure if the extra $$$ spent would be worth it

[K2e2vin]

Yes Honda engine are balanced, but the pulleys dampen torsional vibration; two completely different things that people confuse(and ignore). Heavy vibration can shatter even aftermarket pumps(ie Prodrive pump gears).

Most of the race cars using the lightweight pulleys are using dry sump systems; which uses an external belt driven oil pump so it is not exposed to vibration.

[deevergote]

I actually felt a difference with my pulley. The car revved easier, almost like having a ligter flywheel. It wasn't a crazy difference, but after driving with the stock pulley for a year, I felt the difference.

Super Street did a dyno for an RX8 with UR pullies. It gained... crap... 8 or 12... something more than they expected. I know the Renesis is QUITE different from an f22 or an h22, but still... pullies DO provide a gain.


People who automatically assume a part is "rice" without good reason are just as bad ad the ricers to me. Like the "outcast" crowd in highschool... the kids that despise the trendy, popular kids, and do everything in their power to be as unlike them as possible... effectively being ruled by the same trends.

If a part provides power, I want it. If Ricey McRicerstein down the street has the same part, so what. If it is PROVEN to do damage, I don't want it. However, all reports of damage that I've heard have been on 14 year old engines. Oil pump failure may or may not be related to the pulley. It may be due to age or abuse.

I just know I've had my Unorthodox Racing pulley for over 2 years, about 35,000 miles, and I have had no issues. I wouldn't trust a knockoff, but I don't feel that the pulley I have is harmful.

[papychulo82]

Deev...you remember how much you paid for yours?? was it the whole set? like for the crank, alternator and p/s??

[deevergote]

I just have the crank pulley... got it used on ebay for $85. I had a PS pulley reserved with uslspct, but I never gave him money for it... he probably still has it collecting dust... I did the same thing with the alt pulley with oneoffaccord... I wonder if he still has it... If I say I'm going to buy something from you, keep on me about it!

The set usually goes for $300+ I believe. Worth it though, IMO. I have yet to have an issue, and I have yet to see solid evidence of pulley-related problems. People may suspect, and they may have valid reasons... but my personal experience and lack of hard evidence are good enough for me!

[dan21]

where would i be able to get a prodrive oil pump from

[accrdpower]

u can get a toga oil pump almost anywhere for real cheap. and it def takes the abuse. i got my crank, p/s, alt pulley through horsepower freaks for like under 220. even 300 and i think it's worth it as well.

[m-tec93accord]

this is a good topic, but some clarification: EXACTLY what do u mean by it will ruin the oil pump system, i thought by underdriving, yes u gain power, but underdriving core components like alternator will provide less amperage to ur car, and undriving ur oil system will not deliver enough oil to the upper cylinder walls and ur head(did i just answer my own question???? ), but yea, someone please explain that.......

[deevergote]

Can someone explain to me how an underdrive crank pulley affects the oil pump? The oil pump is not turned by a belt going around the crank pulley, correct? The pump is turned by the crank BEFORE the pulley... meaning what happens after it has no effect, unless that part is significantly unbalanced.

The only proven negative effect is less power from the alternator... If you're running a crazy system, this will be an issue. However, if you install an expensive pulley to gain power, only to weigh your car down with a system, you deserve what you get!

[m-tec93accord]

thanks deev, thought so not that specific like u, but i never of it messin wit oil system

[aznboi5022]

question...

after reading all this stuff about underdrive pulleys messing up oil systems im really hesitant to get a set, though i've been talking to ulspect about buying his p/s pulley, as well as looking at full sets straight from Unorthodox. can anyone tell me if just underdriving the p/s system does anything at all? or do i have to underdrive the whole system (crank, p/s, etc.) to feel anything? any help would be greatly appreciated as i want to spend my paycheck on some parts and dont know if its gonna be worth it to just get the p/s pulley. thanx. later

[SteveB]

after reading all this stuff about underdrive pulleys messing up oil systems im really hesitant to get a set, though i've been talking to ulspect about buying his p/s pulley, as well as looking at full sets straight from Unorthodox. can anyone tell me if just underdriving the p/s system does anything at all? or do i have to underdrive the whole system (crank, p/s, etc.) to feel anything? any help would be greatly appreciated as i want to spend my paycheck on some parts and dont know if its gonna be worth it to just get the p/s pulley. thanx. later

If you read up @ UR's site, you'll find that underdriving only accounts for ~15% of the power gain.
Most is from the almost four pounds you lose off the crank assembly.

Pretty sure the oil system scare is *one* oil pump that went blooey, and the story has been repeated ad infinitum on every Honda board out there, making it sounds like "lots" of spoiled oil pumps.

[deevergote]

I only know of one account myself... fast93accord here on this board.

[IDriveALude]

Ebay pulley are super light and will make power but they're unbalanced and don't dampen harmonic vibrations like the factory one. This means severe engine damage over a relatively short period of time. Your crank bearings will go within 15,000 miles.