C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

???Underdrive Pulley Upgrade: Any Problems?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 24, 2002 | 03:52 AM
  #1  
darkmercury's Avatar
darkmercury
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 87
From: Houston TX
Default ???Underdrive Pulley Upgrade: Any Problems?

-Has anybody experienced any problems/codes/side effects from the underdrive pulley upgrade???

-Will affect wear on my engine since I drive its my everyday driver???

-Is it really good for 8 to 10 HP at the rear wheels?????

-I have no engine mods but an aftermarket intake... should I do this MOD???

-If I do decided to do it... who should I buy the parts kit from??? :confused: :cheers:
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2002 | 04:10 AM
  #2  
C5Cemo's Avatar
C5Cemo
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Default Re: ???Underdrive Pulley Upgrade: Any Problems? (darkmercury)

I've had my MTI unit since 9.16.99 and no adverse effects...just a quicker revving engine and more power throughout the entire rev range. Click HERE for a look at the same day resulting gains of 8 Rwhp and 5.5 Rwtq on my stock LS1 that had a Donaldson and some tweaking as it's only mods.

Most people wait to do this mod with a cam change because the crank pulley has to be removed for that job. I didn't wait and am happy I did it before opening up the engine because it is a stealthy mod...very hard to see.

The install is not easy but shouldn't take more than a couple hours for an experienced mechanic. I'd see what you can get one installed for locally and then decide.

:cheers:
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2002 | 04:18 AM
  #3  
Bill Reid's Avatar
Bill Reid
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 3
From: Chandler AZ
Default Re: ???Underdrive Pulley Upgrade: Any Problems? (darkmercury)

They are a great upgrade... and we usually suggest them when upgrading heads/cam because there is no additonal labor. However, if Supercharging is in your future they are not recommended :)
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2002 | 09:43 AM
  #4  
Bill Reid's Avatar
Bill Reid
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 3
From: Chandler AZ
Default Re: ???Underdrive Pulley Upgrade: Any Problems? (Buckmaster)

I agree with Buckmaster... suppose I should have clarified that we don't recommend them as a single upgrade because of the labor involved in swapping them in. Gains are minimal compared to cost...

:cheers:
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2002 | 01:02 PM
  #5  
ddawson's Avatar
ddawson
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,741
Likes: 645
From: Lincoln, CA
Default Re: ???Underdrive Pulley Upgrade: Any Problems? (billreid1@***.net)

No problems or codes. It was ALOT of work to install so I wouldn't do it until its time for a Cam and timing chain upgrade.

Reply
Old Sep 24, 2002 | 04:58 PM
  #6  
BLUBYU2002C5's Avatar
BLUBYU2002C5
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 770
Likes: 0
From: DYER IN
Default Re: ???Underdrive Pulley Upgrade: Any Problems? (ddawson)

Did anyone run into a problem with the battery staying charged?? especially if your sitting somewhere for a period of time or parked listening to music or anything i ran into alot of problems with my 2000 SS and i swore to myself I wouldnt ever do this stupid mod again.... A lot of work for no gain and more headaches down the line, im not sure if it is the same way in the vette though, just asking...
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2002 | 05:37 PM
  #7  
C5Cemo's Avatar
C5Cemo
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Default Re: ???Underdrive Pulley Upgrade: Any Problems? (BLUBYU2002C5)

I haven't had any charging problems at all. Did you have an aftermarket stereo or other electrical mods in your SS? The pulley diameters for both C5 and F-body are the same...only the neck length is different.
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2002 | 05:50 PM
  #8  
gojo's Avatar
gojo
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,613
Likes: 1
From: Winston Salem NC
Default Re: ???Underdrive Pulley Upgrade: Any Problems? (darkmercury)

Since most do wait for a cam install, they then need a higher idle, which makes up for the smaller pulley.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-8

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
Old Sep 24, 2002 | 06:13 PM
  #9  
vstella's Avatar
vstella
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,294
Likes: 1
From: Coral Springs Florida
Default Re: ???Underdrive Pulley Upgrade: Any Problems? (Buckmaster)

Wait for the cam install... :yesnod:
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2002 | 07:15 PM
  #10  
darkmercury's Avatar
darkmercury
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 87
From: Houston TX
Default Re: ???Underdrive Pulley Upgrade: Any Problems? (vstella)

Sounds like the VOTE is for.... wait for the Cam Job...

thanks folks!!! :cheers:
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2002 | 10:15 PM
  #11  
Gary2KC5's Avatar
Gary2KC5
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 39
Default Re: ???Underdrive Pulley Upgrade: Any Problems? (darkmercury)

Just my opinon, but it's not that big a deal to pull the steering rack.

Yes it's a no brainer if you are pulley the radiator & steering rack for a cam install but I would do it for the 10 rwhp gain, probably more in torque.

I rate the pulley install to be about the same as installing LT headers (not counting any exhaust welding, etc.) Consider the cost of headers ($900-1200) for the 16 rwhp gain vs. 10 rwhp gain for the pulley ($250)

I say go for it! If you do, email me for some install tips.
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2002 | 10:33 AM
  #12  
BLUBYU2002C5's Avatar
BLUBYU2002C5
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 770
Likes: 0
From: DYER IN
Default Re: ???Underdrive Pulley Upgrade: Any Problems? (C5Cemo)

I haven't had any charging problems at all. Did you have an aftermarket stereo or other electrical mods in your SS? The pulley diameters for both C5 and F-body are the same...only the neck length is different.
No aftermarket stereo or nothing, I did have a bottle warmer though and I notice the charging system going way down when in use but it was always low with the bottle warmer or not...The brand we used was from hypertech, maybe thats the problem, dont know. I had 3 other buddy's with the same problem (all on F-bodys), and you guessed it they all got removed and thrown into the "waste of money mods box". Maybe the C5 is a little different who knows but it sounds like most people wait until the cam goes in to install the pulley.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To ???Underdrive Pulley Upgrade: Any Problems?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:47 PM.

story-0
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Is the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 the best Silverado yet?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-16 08:01:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

Slideshow: 5 best and 5 worst Corvette daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:32:13


VIEW MORE
story-2
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

Slideshow: The headlights of every Corvette generation explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:17:14


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-5
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE