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Smaller Pulleys = more power?

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Old Oct 15, 2015 | 06:35 PM
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Default Smaller Pulleys = more power?

I saw a ad in the summit catalog for smaller pulleys which stated you could gain hp increase by turning the accessories (power steering pump, alternator, etc) slower. Has anyone installed smaller pulleys and had this result?
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Old Oct 15, 2015 | 06:41 PM
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Turning all belt driven equipment more slowly will free up some hp. You won't feel it though.

Last edited by BKbroiler; Oct 15, 2015 at 06:50 PM.
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Old Oct 15, 2015 | 06:55 PM
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and if you use your car on the street you'll run into other problems. Mainly the alt not putting out enough volts for headlights and wipers. Everything will be extremely low on power while stopped at a light. Some have converted over to the new style alternators DBelectronics I think the company was that was selling wire harness adapters and Durangoboy had a write on here years ago on how to do it.
Cooling system usually does ok as long as you have a mechanical fan.
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Old Oct 15, 2015 | 06:57 PM
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Originally Posted by BKbroiler
Turning all belt driven equipment more slowly will free up some hp. You won't feel it though.
And doing so...which many of my customers have down...can cause the alternator NOT to charge correctly when sitting at idle....but going down the road it is fine....and in time.....many of these same customers had me put I back factory.

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Old Oct 15, 2015 | 07:15 PM
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Thanks for responses. Kiinda what I expected.
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Old Oct 15, 2015 | 08:11 PM
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w/ the rest Id never do it again
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Old Oct 15, 2015 | 08:15 PM
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Yep on the idle charging issues. I have one March underdrive pulley on my crankshaft for clearance issues with the crossmember on my big block. When cold it idles around 550/600 rpm and all lights flicker because of the alt rpm. When it warms up or goin down the road its fine. It drives me insane but theres no way to fix it that ive found.
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Old Oct 15, 2015 | 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by forvicjr
Yep on the idle charging issues. I have one March underdrive pulley on my crankshaft for clearance issues with the crossmember on my big block. When cold it idles around 550/600 rpm and all lights flicker because of the alt rpm. When it warms up or goin down the road its fine. It drives me insane but theres no way to fix it that ive found.
A smaller pulley on the alt will make it spin faster-
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Old Oct 15, 2015 | 08:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Richard454
A smaller pulley on the alt will make it spin faster-
I have yet to find a smaller alt pulley.
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Old Oct 15, 2015 | 08:58 PM
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Try these guys

http://store.alternatorparts.com/1-groove.aspx
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Old Oct 15, 2015 | 09:14 PM
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Will do. I have a serpentine belt set up. Will poke around see what they have. Thanks..Vic..
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Old Oct 16, 2015 | 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by forvicjr
Yep on the idle charging issues. I have one March underdrive pulley on my crankshaft for clearance issues with the crossmember on my big block. When cold it idles around 550/600 rpm and all lights flicker because of the alt rpm. When it warms up or goin down the road its fine. It drives me insane but theres no way to fix it that ive found.
AHHHH....the pleasures of 'plug in and play' parts. Cutting the cradle and notching it so the correct size pulley has been done.

Not knowing how big or small your alternator pulley is currently.....hopefully what 'Righard454' posted a link to can help you get it right.

I can COMPLETELY understand the flickering lights. It would take abort 3 minutes and I would be freaking out.

DUB
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Old Oct 17, 2015 | 08:53 AM
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Been there, done that, clanged back to stock pulleys over ten years or so. I did get the stock pulleys chromed though.
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