Alloy pulleys - worth while?

1. e8_pqck Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2010 Midlands Posts: 2530 AX 16v Turbo

   #1 29th February 2012, 21:08

   Anyone think these are worth it?
   
   I know lighter weight, less rotational mass etc. But how much worth it?
   
   Is the pulley for the alternator smaller or larger, so does it make it more efficient or anything?
2. MiniGibbo Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Apr 2007 Bournemouth Posts: 15289 '04 VW Transporter.

   #2 29th February 2012, 21:12

   Not sure on the tu's but on other motors I have experience with they make them more "lively"..
3. danny-vts Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2010 Chesterfield/Nottingham Posts: 7147 dead vts. twisted 106 gti. '03' vtrrrr

   #3 29th February 2012, 21:14

   the larger one is for crank pulley and smaller one is for alternator pulley
4. e8_pqck Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2010 Midlands Posts: 2530 AX 16v Turbo

   #4 29th February 2012, 21:17

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by danny-vts the larger one is for crank pulley and smaller one is for alternator pulley

   I meant diameter wise is it smaller or larger than OEM.
5. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

   #5 29th February 2012, 21:34

   most are smaller and come as a pair with a smaller belt
   
   if you have limited electrics (no big stuff like rear screen ect) youll be fine with just the crank one
   my engine had that setup when i got it and worked fine unless i was abusing the rear screen and heaters on full at the same time with low revs
   similar in traffic on a proper hot day in belgium fan was on as was heaters on full to try and cool the motor a bit more and ran the battery flat
   
   id get a kit of both pulleys
6. Barry123 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2005 Aycliffe Posts: 32205 Saxo VTS

   #6 29th February 2012, 22:18

   Depends on which you purchase mate, but generally they're spec'd to be a slightly smaller diameter on the alternator pulley. Rotational inertia is tiddly on those things anyway so you'll never notice any real world improvements or throttle response. Reduction in electrical drag will be low too. It's not going to make mega (if any) performance gains since a typical saxo alternator gobbles 2 hp at max load (assuming a 50% efficiency) anyway.
   Only noticeable improvement will fuel economy and that'll be a couple of mpgs.
7. Gabbastard Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2002 United Kingdom Posts: 8390

   #7 29th February 2012, 22:21

   Id only bother if I was chasing every tenth on track, or my standard rubber-dampered one had died.
8. johnnyg_vts Established Member Joined: Dec 2006 Fleetwood Posts: 2244 2002 Saxo VTS

   #8 29th February 2012, 22:23

   Waste of money.
   
   Any one that says they make a difference is imagining it.
9. tillygti6 Frequent Poster Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 897 106 ph1 rallye 106 gti 106 hybrid thing GTI~6

   #9 29th February 2012, 22:28

   the real advantage only comes with silly high revving motors to gear the alternator rpm down to stop damage and over charging
10. johnnyg_vts Established Member Joined: Dec 2006 Fleetwood Posts: 2244 2002 Saxo VTS

    #10 29th February 2012, 22:34

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tillygti6 the real advantage only comes with silly high revving motors to gear the alternator rpm down to stop damage and over charging

    Hmmmm, only if you drive everywhere in first gear at 8k revs.
11. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

    #11 29th February 2012, 23:03

    I'd personally spend the money elsewhere unless you've just completed a very high spec build and want something just to top it off
12. KamRacing Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)

    #12 1st March 2012, 08:44

    We sell them primarily to race and rally teams who have an overall approach to reducing parasitic losses. On their own there is a very minor benefit.
13. e8_pqck Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2010 Midlands Posts: 2530 AX 16v Turbo

    #13 1st March 2012, 20:00

    just as i thought really, feel like blowing some cash on the AX, but then again, i don't. Will go and run my credit card under a cold tap.
14. user_15516 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 6640 Integra DC5R & VTS

    #14 1st March 2012, 22:41

    I had a set fitted and had no end of bother with belt squeal. Ended up going back to standard.
    
    Can't say I noticed any difference.
15. Gabbastard Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2002 United Kingdom Posts: 8390

    #15 1st March 2012, 22:59

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by e8_pqck just as i thought really, feel like blowing some cash on the AX, but then again, i don't. Will go and run my credit card under a cold tap.

    You can blow some cash on my AX if you like?
16. axsaxoman Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2003 Scotland Posts: 3380

    #16 2nd March 2012, 14:12

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Liam_ I had a set fitted and had no end of bother with belt squeal. Ended up going back to standard. Can't say I noticed any difference.

    that is why our replacement for the bottom pulley ,which falls apart with age, is hard anodised and not just plain alloy--that and corrosion when used on a road car (winter roadsalt)
    saxo has electric power steering so its no wonder that if you drop alternator rpm as these small pulley kits do you problems with the ekeeping up with electrical requirements ,even more so if you have a large sub amp
    we have sold quite few 150mm pulleys to people who go these ICE competions as the std pulley(138mm) at idle will not keep up with power requirement if sounding off all day -bit embarrassing if car won,t satrt when they come to go home