URD underdrive pulley...........

by **DaTwUnKrAziEpInOy** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 8:27 pm

oh my badd......I guess I read it wrong....damn headache >:P

by **Astro** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 3:25 pm

Ian wrote:I've been driving with this pulley for a few weeks now, and I can definitely tell a difference. I think what you will feel most is that your car is more efficient in the sense that it accelerates easier, especially when you get to 3,000 rpm because that is where the S/C's really seem to kick in. You zip right through those rpm's.

For comparison sake, it is sort of like when you got your cold air intake, your car would rev better, easier, as if there was less restriction. Well the pulley has that same effect and feel as well: your car revs easier, feels less restrictive. The overall effect is that your car is quicker, especially when the S/C really takes over. Probably not a good description, but that's the best way I can explain it.

Finally got my cold air intake on, and I am loving it. I'm getting my flywheel and clutch installed in a few weeks after my vacation, so I can't wait for that. Then it will be time for the $2,000 exhaust system.

Unfotunately, mine is coming off. :cry:

The guys at UPFD says it caused the seals in the crank to rip, causing an oil leak. If I leave it on, it will do further damage. So, my stock pulley is going back on. I guess there was a reason Toyota made a weighted and balanced crank pulley. I've already talked to Gadget and he says it's IMPOSSIBLE for the pulley to rip the seals. I'm not taking any chances, Matt (the owner of UPFD), says I'd be safer running the stock pulley, which I think I'll to do keep it reliable. Sorry to say that this could've been a great mod. BTW, this is going to cost me $600 to fix.

IMO, it's not worth the risk for maybe 7-8 hp. Good luck to you s/c'd fellows that get this pulley, I hope you all don't have this problem...All you that are n/a, shouldn't have any problems and will love this mod.

by **StockSolara** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 3:28 pm

Astro wrote:
Ian wrote:I've been driving with this pulley for a few weeks now, and I can definitely tell a difference. I think what you will feel most is that your car is more efficient in the sense that it accelerates easier, especially when you get to 3,000 rpm because that is where the S/C's really seem to kick in. You zip right through those rpm's.

For comparison sake, it is sort of like when you got your cold air intake, your car would rev better, easier, as if there was less restriction. Well the pulley has that same effect and feel as well: your car revs easier, feels less restrictive. The overall effect is that your car is quicker, especially when the S/C really takes over. Probably not a good description, but that's the best way I can explain it.

Finally got my cold air intake on, and I am loving it. I'm getting my flywheel and clutch installed in a few weeks after my vacation, so I can't wait for that. Then it will be time for the $2,000 exhaust system.

Unfotunately, mine is coming off. The guys at UPFD says it caused the seals in the crank to rip, causing an oil leak. If I leave it on, it will do further damage. So, my stock pulley is going back on. I guess there was a reason Toyota made a weighted and balanced crank pulley. I've already talked to Gadget and he says it's IMPOSSIBLE for the pulley to rip the seals. I'm not taking any chances, Matt (the owner of UPFD), says I'd be safer running the stock pulley, which I think I'll to do keep it reliable. Sorry to say that this could've been a great mod. BTW, this is going to cost me $600 to fix. IMO, it's not worth the risk for maybe 7-8 hp. Good luck to you s/c'd fellows that get this pulley, I hope you all don't have this problem...All you that are n/a, shouldn't have any problems and will love this mod.

Damn that sucks man. . .

by **Ian** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 5:03 pm

Unfotunately, mine is coming off. The guys at UPFD says it caused the seals in the crank to rip, causing an oil leak. If I leave it on, it will do further damage. So, my stock pulley is going back on. I guess there was a reason Toyota made a weighted and balanced crank pulley. I've already talked to Gadget and he says it's IMPOSSIBLE for the pulley to rip the seals. I'm not taking any chances, Matt (the owner of UPFD), says I'd be safer running the stock pulley, which I think I'll to do keep it reliable. Sorry to say that this could've been a great mod. BTW, this is going to cost me $600 to fix. IMO, it's not worth the risk for maybe 7-8 hp. Good luck to you s/c'd fellows that get this pulley, I hope you all don't have this problem...All you that are n/a, shouldn't have any problems and will love this mod.

Really?! That sucks. I have not had any problems yet. I guess an oil leak will be the sign, but are there any other signs I should look out for?

I wonder how the fact that it is lighter that causes the seals to rip. I'll research to see why that is.

by **Ian** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:12 pm

Well, I've sort of researched this. I say sort of because this is a heavy mechanical topic.

There is a thread on customtacos.com where Gadget explains the pulley, and goes back and forth a little with a guy that thinks the lightweight crank pulley is a bad idea. This centers around the issue that the stock pulley has a harmonic balancer, but the URD pulley removes it, and what effect this has on the crank, etc. Like I said, this is a little heavy for me, thus I cannot verify who makes more sense.

On one side, I know that other companies make lightweight crank pulleys for Mazda, etc. On the other side, we have Astro, who's engine unfortunately is leaking maybe as a result of the pulley. This is disputed by Gadget, who made the pulley.

I don't know what to believe honestly. I will enjoy it for now, and if I see a spec of oil I will have my mechanic look at it and if it is from the crank area, the stock pulley will go back on.

Good luck Astro. For everyone else, I will report back if this issue comes up for me.

by **Sp33d** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 1:19 am

wow...sometimes it DOES pay off to just hang out in the background and see what happens with new mods before actually doing them yourself. everyone who has a URD pulley....keep us updated. thanks

-mark

by **Astro** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 9:35 am

I didn't know who to believe either, but I've got to go with what my shop says. Their doing the work on my ride, you know. Like I said, it may not even be a problem, I'm really hoping it was just a bad install. Unfortunately, I don't have money to be blowing for that. Please do keep us updated...

by **JavaJoe_2** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 6:45 pm

Astro wrote: Good luck to you s/c'd fellows that get this pulley, I hope you all don't have this problem...All you that are n/a, shouldn't have any problems and will love this mod.

Please let me know when it will be up for sale.

by **Astro** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:40 am

JavaJoe_2 wrote:
Astro wrote: Good luck to you s/c'd fellows that get this pulley, I hope you all don't have this problem...All you that are n/a, shouldn't have any problems and will love this mod.

Please let me know when it will be up for sale.

I don't plan on selling it. I may put it on later when I see others do fine with it.

by **Astro** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:41 am

JavaJoe_2 wrote:
Astro wrote: Good luck to you s/c'd fellows that get this pulley, I hope you all don't have this problem...All you that are n/a, shouldn't have any problems and will love this mod.

Please let me know when it will be up for sale.

I don't plan on selling it. I may put it on later when I see others do fine with it.

by **Ian** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 7:17 pm

Finally got my cold air intake on, and I am loving it. I'm getting my flywheel and clutch installed in a few weeks after my vacation, so I can't wait for that. Then it will be time for the $2,000 exhaust system.

Just updating, I got my Fidanza flywheel and Clutchmasters clutch installed. I have to baby it for about 500 miles of normal driving before I can lay into it.

Clutch:
It is amazing what a difference these parts have made. The clutch pedal is sooooo easy to push. It engages easy. It makes my car feel like a different car, like a performance car.

Flywheel:
Easier acceleration. Much quicker up the rpm's. I am sure my car is faster as a result, but I can't truly find out until after I break in my clutch. Just accelerating in gear results in a fast response. I can't shift gears hard and fast yet.

I know most of you have these parts, but if not I would recommend this definitely.

I had my mechanic check for oil leaks around my URD pulley. No leaks, still going strong.

by **Vampire** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 7:53 pm

Just to clarify a previous post. The Solara does not have a harmonic balancer in the stock pulley. The stock pulley does not provide the same benefits that a harmonic balancer would such as vibrational stability etc. It's just a big hunk of 5 1/2 pound steel. I don't see how this could cause a leak unless there is already imbalance at the crank or the install was done poorly. Let's leave it at that. As far as the performance. I like it a lot. I may actually get off my lazy rear and put the Fidanza flywheel that's been sitting in my closet on soon.

Sorry to hear about this Astro. To me it's one of those easy mods that gives you a nice little performance gain with little trouble.

Astro wrote:
JavaJoe_2 wrote:
Astro wrote: Good luck to you s/c'd fellows that get this pulley, I hope you all don't have this problem...All you that are n/a, shouldn't have any problems and will love this mod.

Please let me know when it will be up for sale.

I don't plan on selling it. I may put it on later when I see others do fine with it.

by **Assyrian** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 11:26 am

those of you that have the aftermarket pulleys, are you having problems keeping a good charge on the battery? Do your lights dim if you have your stereo turned up?

I'm wondering how much the underdrive affects the comforts of the car.

by **Astro** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 11:43 am

Vampire wrote:Sorry to hear about this Astro. To me it's one of those easy mods that gives you a nice little performance gain with little trouble.

Thanks Vampire. My shop (UPFD) just doesn't like them. I think they are just saying it was the cause. They know from the looks of the stock pulley having a big chip on the side, it was from installation. I still have it on and I love the acceleration.

When they fix the oil leak, I'm going to tell them to keep it on.

by **StockSolara** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 11:44 am

Assyrian wrote:those of you that have the aftermarket pulleys, are you having problems keeping a good charge on the battery? Do your lights dim if you have your stereo turned up?

I'm wondering how much the underdrive affects the comforts of the car.

This isn't an underdrive pulley it's just a lighten. . . someone should really change the title

URD underdrive pulley...........

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