crank pullies
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crank pullies
okay i did a search, but it seems very few have had these for very long to give any good data on how reliable they are. some have had it for only 2K to 10K...the reason why i'm so iffy about these is that i used to have a celica and was part of numerous celica boards. it seemed that crank pullies (esp. the UR) would cause all sorts of engine damage including water pump failure, etc. the ratio of damaged cars seemed awfully high which prompted my phobia.
i just want to know if having a crank pulley is safe and how long has anyone here have had it with no problems?
i just want to know if having a crank pulley is safe and how long has anyone here have had it with no problems?
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Originally Posted by geeman49
Another crank pulley thread? You've got to be kidding. If you can't figure out from your "search" that there will be no consensus on this mod then leave your car alone.
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Respectfully then, there are 371 threads if you search for crank pulley. That doesn't count "underdrive" or "UR" or "pulley". It has been discussed ad nauseum on this and every other VQ/G35/350Z related forum. I cannot believe you do not have all the information available to you to make a decision.
Here's a short answer for you: no failures of engine or related accessories directly attributable to a properly installed crank pulley. If there were, you would see a thread so large it could not be missed and it would spread to every VQ/G35/350Z forum known to man.
Here's a short answer for you: no failures of engine or related accessories directly attributable to a properly installed crank pulley. If there were, you would see a thread so large it could not be missed and it would spread to every VQ/G35/350Z forum known to man.
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i have all the information. it is just that it seems many people who have these don't have them for very long for me to make a decision. people with only 2K or 10K miles...some celicas took some time before their water pumps started to fail or their engines started to break. there are 371 threads but not all of them are due to pulley reliability or ownership consensus...mostly about performance, installation, the properties of underdriving, etc.
you seem to have a UR pulley with a 5AT.what experiences have you had and how many miles since the install? any issues with the voltage? any noises? are the belts holding up and have you checked the water pump?
does the Z even have a harmonic dampner on it's crank pullies? again this notion is debated...whatever info you have i would greatly appreciate it.
you seem to have a UR pulley with a 5AT.what experiences have you had and how many miles since the install? any issues with the voltage? any noises? are the belts holding up and have you checked the water pump?
does the Z even have a harmonic dampner on it's crank pullies? again this notion is debated...whatever info you have i would greatly appreciate it.
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From what I have noticed, crank pulleys are pretty reliable. I have not had any issues with customers who have purchased them or had them installed here. I had the UR pulley on my car to test it out, and I liked it. Almost all of our 350Zs here that employees own have some sort of crank pulley on them. The UR is very nice, as is our new lightweight stock sized pulley that we sell, both are very popular:
http://performancenissanparts.com/ca...oducts_id=5537
http://performancenissanparts.com/ca...roducts_id=260
http://performancenissanparts.com/ca...roducts_id=351
both are a good and reletively inexpensive mod that work well, and we offer both underdrive and stock sized pulleys.
http://performancenissanparts.com/ca...oducts_id=5537
http://performancenissanparts.com/ca...roducts_id=260
http://performancenissanparts.com/ca...roducts_id=351
both are a good and reletively inexpensive mod that work well, and we offer both underdrive and stock sized pulleys.
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From: so cali 909-951-626
I am glad you had good service experiences with us cvt 
IF there's anything we can do to make things better, as always, you can just PM us...
as for the pulleys:
I had mine on for about 10 thousand miles, I'm planning on gong FI soon, so while we were doing work on it last time i just removed it to save on labor. The other guys here have had it on anywhere from 6k-and up. Andy has my old silver one that I put most of the milage on, and the blue one i just removed is the one that had a few thousand on it. We have not noticed any negative long term effects with these even on customer's cars. The owner's 350Z has a UR on his car also, same results....
IF there's anything we can do to make things better, as always, you can just PM us...
as for the pulleys:
I had mine on for about 10 thousand miles, I'm planning on gong FI soon, so while we were doing work on it last time i just removed it to save on labor. The other guys here have had it on anywhere from 6k-and up. Andy has my old silver one that I put most of the milage on, and the blue one i just removed is the one that had a few thousand on it. We have not noticed any negative long term effects with these even on customer's cars. The owner's 350Z has a UR on his car also, same results....
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I like them all but I might be biased. Overall I wouldn't expect monster gains with NA mods on this car. To address your questions:
Consensus is yes, there is a harmonic damper on the VQ crank pulley. That is what most the debate centers around. Some say no problem, some say YIKES! I don't think we'll really know until someone's has had the crank pulley on for 80K if it really matters. Since 03 was the first year for our cars I doubt many people have had them on for mega miles. Maybe 30K? I've had mine on for 10K or so and I like it mucho and have had no problems.
Stillen Duals: Too loud for some including my wife but I absolutely love it 99% of the time. The 5% is when you're stuck in the drone zone around 2.1-2.6K RPM. It can be annoying and intrusive in the cabin (turn up stereo). You can avoid for the most part through shifting or just blowing through that range. I think most the aftermarket exhausts exhibit this tendency to a certain degree. It sounds awesome at WOT or high RPM (like it means business) and most cool when I went to the track. I have a G35 sedan so there wasn't a lot out there when I was looking in early 04. I think you have a lot of cool choices as a Z owner. I haven't followed exhausts for the Z or G35 coupe since I'd just get jealous. I purchased for performance and I belive this is one of the better performers out there still. Apparently there is a Version 2 which is allegedly quieter.
Intake - Gains from an intake are minimal at best. Pop charger makes a nice roar at 3.5K RPM and up but I would avoid it if you live in the heat (heat soak = boggy performance). If I had to do it again I'd probably go Stillen or stock box + K&N and still may. I know people like their Injens but a low hanging intake would make me nervous in the Pacific NW. PC is fine for my climate 90% of the time. I'd say intake is a sound/style preference more than a performance choice.
Spacer - a no brainer IMO. Consistently shows 8-13HP gain across the RPM range and half the cost of a plenum replacement. I just put it on a few weeks ago and I swear it made my Stillen a little quieter (the aforementioned wife agrees).
See, I can be nice, possibly even insightful and informative.
Consensus is yes, there is a harmonic damper on the VQ crank pulley. That is what most the debate centers around. Some say no problem, some say YIKES! I don't think we'll really know until someone's has had the crank pulley on for 80K if it really matters. Since 03 was the first year for our cars I doubt many people have had them on for mega miles. Maybe 30K? I've had mine on for 10K or so and I like it mucho and have had no problems.
Stillen Duals: Too loud for some including my wife but I absolutely love it 99% of the time. The 5% is when you're stuck in the drone zone around 2.1-2.6K RPM. It can be annoying and intrusive in the cabin (turn up stereo). You can avoid for the most part through shifting or just blowing through that range. I think most the aftermarket exhausts exhibit this tendency to a certain degree. It sounds awesome at WOT or high RPM (like it means business) and most cool when I went to the track. I have a G35 sedan so there wasn't a lot out there when I was looking in early 04. I think you have a lot of cool choices as a Z owner. I haven't followed exhausts for the Z or G35 coupe since I'd just get jealous. I purchased for performance and I belive this is one of the better performers out there still. Apparently there is a Version 2 which is allegedly quieter.
Intake - Gains from an intake are minimal at best. Pop charger makes a nice roar at 3.5K RPM and up but I would avoid it if you live in the heat (heat soak = boggy performance). If I had to do it again I'd probably go Stillen or stock box + K&N and still may. I know people like their Injens but a low hanging intake would make me nervous in the Pacific NW. PC is fine for my climate 90% of the time. I'd say intake is a sound/style preference more than a performance choice.
Spacer - a no brainer IMO. Consistently shows 8-13HP gain across the RPM range and half the cost of a plenum replacement. I just put it on a few weeks ago and I swear it made my Stillen a little quieter (the aforementioned wife agrees).
See, I can be nice, possibly even insightful and informative.
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Originally Posted by geeman49
I like them all but I might be biased. Overall I wouldn't expect monster gains with NA mods on this car. To address your questions:
Consensus is yes, there is a harmonic damper on the VQ crank pulley. That is what most the debate centers around. Some say no problem, some say YIKES! I don't think we'll really know until someone's has had the crank pulley on for 80K if it really matters. Since 03 was the first year for our cars I doubt many people have had them on for mega miles. Maybe 30K? I've had mine on for 10K or so and I like it mucho and have had no problems.
Stillen Duals: Too loud for some including my wife but I absolutely love it 99% of the time. The 5% is when you're stuck in the drone zone around 2.1-2.6K RPM. It can be annoying and intrusive in the cabin (turn up stereo). You can avoid for the most part through shifting or just blowing through that range. I think most the aftermarket exhausts exhibit this tendency to a certain degree. It sounds awesome at WOT or high RPM (like it means business) and most cool when I went to the track. I have a G35 sedan so there wasn't a lot out there when I was looking in early 04. I think you have a lot of cool choices as a Z owner. I haven't followed exhausts for the Z or G35 coupe since I'd just get jealous. I purchased for performance and I belive this is one of the better performers out there still. Apparently there is a Version 2 which is allegedly quieter.
Intake - Gains from an intake are minimal at best. Pop charger makes a nice roar at 3.5K RPM and up but I would avoid it if you live in the heat (heat soak = boggy performance). If I had to do it again I'd probably go Stillen or stock box + K&N and still may. I know people like their Injens but a low hanging intake would make me nervous in the Pacific NW. PC is fine for my climate 90% of the time. I'd say intake is a sound/style preference more than a performance choice.
Spacer - a no brainer IMO. Consistently shows 8-13HP gain across the RPM range and half the cost of a plenum replacement. I just put it on a few weeks ago and I swear it made my Stillen a little quieter (the aforementioned wife agrees).
See, I can be nice, possibly even insightful and informative.
Consensus is yes, there is a harmonic damper on the VQ crank pulley. That is what most the debate centers around. Some say no problem, some say YIKES! I don't think we'll really know until someone's has had the crank pulley on for 80K if it really matters. Since 03 was the first year for our cars I doubt many people have had them on for mega miles. Maybe 30K? I've had mine on for 10K or so and I like it mucho and have had no problems.
Stillen Duals: Too loud for some including my wife but I absolutely love it 99% of the time. The 5% is when you're stuck in the drone zone around 2.1-2.6K RPM. It can be annoying and intrusive in the cabin (turn up stereo). You can avoid for the most part through shifting or just blowing through that range. I think most the aftermarket exhausts exhibit this tendency to a certain degree. It sounds awesome at WOT or high RPM (like it means business) and most cool when I went to the track. I have a G35 sedan so there wasn't a lot out there when I was looking in early 04. I think you have a lot of cool choices as a Z owner. I haven't followed exhausts for the Z or G35 coupe since I'd just get jealous. I purchased for performance and I belive this is one of the better performers out there still. Apparently there is a Version 2 which is allegedly quieter.
Intake - Gains from an intake are minimal at best. Pop charger makes a nice roar at 3.5K RPM and up but I would avoid it if you live in the heat (heat soak = boggy performance). If I had to do it again I'd probably go Stillen or stock box + K&N and still may. I know people like their Injens but a low hanging intake would make me nervous in the Pacific NW. PC is fine for my climate 90% of the time. I'd say intake is a sound/style preference more than a performance choice.
Spacer - a no brainer IMO. Consistently shows 8-13HP gain across the RPM range and half the cost of a plenum replacement. I just put it on a few weeks ago and I swear it made my Stillen a little quieter (the aforementioned wife agrees).
See, I can be nice, possibly even insightful and informative.
as for the pulley...i think i'll lay low and wait for a while. maybe i can use the 300 bucks for sway bars...
thanks for taking the time for your thoughts and reviews. it's really pushed me further on what i really want and need.
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heat soak really isn't too much of a factor on the intakes, i have noticed on my various intakes that I have tried, JWT, GruppeM, K/N, AEM, that they all tend to reach the same intake temps.
The reason for this IMO, is that the air going into the motor is heated in the plenum and manifold. However, the difference of the cold air's that i have tried versus the regular in-bay filters is not really too noticeable. At least not really by way of Butt-Dyno. There probably is a different of a few small ponies here and there, but nothing to really sway my opinion.
I personally use the GruppeM, but solely for bling factor for shows and such. It's a reallycool intake and conversation piece, nothing that will give you rediculous power...
The reason for this IMO, is that the air going into the motor is heated in the plenum and manifold. However, the difference of the cold air's that i have tried versus the regular in-bay filters is not really too noticeable. At least not really by way of Butt-Dyno. There probably is a different of a few small ponies here and there, but nothing to really sway my opinion.
I personally use the GruppeM, but solely for bling factor for shows and such. It's a reallycool intake and conversation piece, nothing that will give you rediculous power...
Originally Posted by cvt
okay i did a search, but it seems very few have had these for very long to give any good data on how reliable they are. some have had it for only 2K to 10K...the reason why i'm so iffy about these is that i used to have a celica and was part of numerous celica boards. it seemed that crank pullies (esp. the UR) would cause all sorts of engine damage including water pump failure, etc. the ratio of damaged cars seemed awfully high which prompted my phobia.
i just want to know if having a crank pulley is safe and how long has anyone here have had it with no problems?
i just want to know if having a crank pulley is safe and how long has anyone here have had it with no problems?
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Originally Posted by Tony@Performance
heat soak really isn't too much of a factor on the intakes, i have noticed on my various intakes that I have tried, JWT, GruppeM, K/N, AEM, that they all tend to reach the same intake temps.
The reason for this IMO, is that the air going into the motor is heated in the plenum and manifold. However, the difference of the cold air's that i have tried versus the regular in-bay filters is not really too noticeable. At least not really by way of Butt-Dyno. There probably is a different of a few small ponies here and there, but nothing to really sway my opinion.
I personally use the GruppeM, but solely for bling factor for shows and such. It's a reallycool intake and conversation piece, nothing that will give you rediculous power...
The reason for this IMO, is that the air going into the motor is heated in the plenum and manifold. However, the difference of the cold air's that i have tried versus the regular in-bay filters is not really too noticeable. At least not really by way of Butt-Dyno. There probably is a different of a few small ponies here and there, but nothing to really sway my opinion.
I personally use the GruppeM, but solely for bling factor for shows and such. It's a reallycool intake and conversation piece, nothing that will give you rediculous power...
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From: Portland, OR
Forgot about the Maxima guys!
I actually didn't install my pulley for several months while the debate raged. I finally decided I was just missing out on the benefits of the mod for no reason as there was no history of failure. Sure it might happen but there was no track record of such.
Personally I do not find the Stillen loud (I said my wife did). Its the resonance effect that is confused with loud. I know there are louder exhausts. I got mine from Performance by the way.
I really think this is the case with the intake from all that I've read. As Tony stated there isn't going to be that much difference between the many offerings and I'm sure he's seen a lot. The gains just aren't there to be had. Good looks, and maybe a growl, but pretty much boils down to style differences, maybe convenience, but not significant performance differences.
Definitely do the sways and I'm sold on the spacer. I like the idea of a plenum replacement a la APS, Kinetix and Crawford but I'm not sure of the cost/benefit for double the cost or more. The extra $200+ you save can get you the K&N and halfway to some sways which are really a worthwhile mod.
Good luck.
I actually didn't install my pulley for several months while the debate raged. I finally decided I was just missing out on the benefits of the mod for no reason as there was no history of failure. Sure it might happen but there was no track record of such.
Personally I do not find the Stillen loud (I said my wife did). Its the resonance effect that is confused with loud. I know there are louder exhausts. I got mine from Performance by the way.
sooo....you're saying stay with a drop in cuz intakes are all the same performace wise?
Definitely do the sways and I'm sold on the spacer. I like the idea of a plenum replacement a la APS, Kinetix and Crawford but I'm not sure of the cost/benefit for double the cost or more. The extra $200+ you save can get you the K&N and halfway to some sways which are really a worthwhile mod.
Good luck.
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i guess i found a definate answer to my pully question...
"Another skeptical notion about aftermarket pulleys is that they can contribute to killing a motor slowly because they eliminate the harmonic balancer on the crank pulley for the crankshaft. Like most Nissan engines, the Altima crankshaft is internally balanced so there is no need to worry about eliminating the extra weight of the stock crank pulley. In fact this weight savings combined with the under-driving translates into less load on your engine and in the process you add a couple more hp; what more could you ask for? "
from...
http://www.nissanperformancemag.com/...r02/altima_ur/
and we all know the 3.5 altima is the VQ35DE...
"Another skeptical notion about aftermarket pulleys is that they can contribute to killing a motor slowly because they eliminate the harmonic balancer on the crank pulley for the crankshaft. Like most Nissan engines, the Altima crankshaft is internally balanced so there is no need to worry about eliminating the extra weight of the stock crank pulley. In fact this weight savings combined with the under-driving translates into less load on your engine and in the process you add a couple more hp; what more could you ask for? "
from...
http://www.nissanperformancemag.com/...r02/altima_ur/
and we all know the 3.5 altima is the VQ35DE...
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