Steeda pulleys

[RF Overlord]

One of the Crown Vic forums made mention of using Steeda underdrive pulleys on their car (4.6L, I assume it was SOHC)...does anyone know if these will fit our motors? Steeda's site doesn't list the Marauder yet... For $170 are they worth it?

[Tim R.]

I'm kind of new to all of the language.. What do Pulleys do? (hope it's not a stupid question).


Tim

[Flash]

I used Steeda pulleys for '01 Cobra # 701-0004, I didn't use the alternator pulley as ours is de-clutching unit under hard acceleration and de-celeration, The stock belt works as well.

[LincMercLover]

Pulleys (the things that the drive belt is riding on) help reduce the stress those accessories put on the crank. Hints the term "freeing up HP." It essentially allows the accessory to make it's standard revolution with less of a revelution coming from the crank itself, thus freeing up the power. You'll see a responce in low end power and it has been proven to increase gas mileage, that is if you're not a lead like me... :D

[JerseyVics]

I got Steeda Cobra pulleys on my 1999POS,

since the car never worked well from the time I bought it from PA State Police, I can't say if they're better off than stock, but they probably are since everyone else that got them love them....

here's the complete install how to (with pix):

http://www.4adrive.com/jerseyvics/thundervic7/steeda-underdrivepulleys.html

My father might be fixing up the 99POS, I'm eager to get rid of it, but he wants to give it a chance and get it running right.

--Russ

http://www.4adrive.com/jerseyvics/thundervic7/steeda/crownvic/steeda-vic-20.jpg Steeda underdrive pulleys compared to the stockers....

[JerseyVics]

http://www.4adrive.com/jerseyvics/thundervic7/steeda/crownvic/steeda-vic-51.jpg

[mensrea]

Another benefit of "pulleys" is the reduction in parasitic drag, which slows us down.

Here's a great article on parasitic drag and ways to reduce it, be aware that the Marauder has an electonic fan so that part doesn't apply (but the concept is the same ;)


http://www.musclemustangfastfords.com/tech/0201mmff_fridgpulley/

MM&FF got only three horse but 12 lbs of torque from the pulleys (interesting to note their comments on timing)

http://www.musclemustangfastfords.com/tech/0205mmff_boltons/

This article also gives you other ideas to try on the Marauder

[Tim R.]

Originally posted by LincMercLover
Pulleys (the things that the drive belt is riding on) help reduce the stress those accessories put on the crank. Hints the term "freeing up HP." It essentially allows the accessory to make it's standard revolution with less of a revelution coming from the crank itself, thus freeing up the power. You'll see a responce in low end power and it has been proven to increase gas mileage, that is if you're not a lead like me... :D

Thanks for the information, I'm a new comer when it comes to performance modifications, but reading this list helps out a lot. My Marauder is bone stock , but I've encounter a total of 4 problems (won't slip into reverse smoothly, right wiper not leveled, subwoofer problem, motor noise during intial start up and at times goes on when the key is in the ignition and the engine is off, and finally 1st and second gear won't lock but locks at Drive. I still haven't asked my dealer about mods, and probably will when i go in for my first oil change (3000k), hope he's not a prick.


Thanks,
tim

[SergntMac]

I was told by one of our professional advisors here a while back, that adding/changing pulleys will add a few ponies and improve torque, but he qualified that as "in single digits." (digits again, jeeze...)

Pulley upgrades alone are not significant improvements at our customary level. Do the important stuff first, changes that produce 25-30 HP and equal figures in torque. Consider adding/changing pulleys as a fine tune squeeze for the last few numbers. They won't show much "bang for the buck from bone stock, but they WILL add to your overall HP/TQ program at the other end.

Bottom line, good stuff, in its own time.

[LincMercLover]

Well, some of us don't have much buck after are bang from the bank loan, and every horse counts! So little things like stats, cold air, royal purple coolant additive, and underdrive pullies are ways to eek a little more fun out of the car without having to worry about missing the next payment, then it's by by MM and you won't have to worry about mods anymore! :D

[RF Overlord]

Thanks mensrea, SergntMac, etc...

I have decided not to go the 4.10 route (yes, I know what a difference it makes) for financial and vehicle longevity reasons, and have already done the chip and plugs, so, like LincMercLover, I'm looking for the smaller things I can do, especially things I can do MYSELF, that perhaps don't make a big difference individually, but collectively add up.

To paraphrase the government official who said: "A billion here and a billion there and pretty soon you're talking about real money", even single-digit power increases add up if you can find enough of them to do.

Can you say: "K&N"?...oh, wait...Dennis already said that wasn't worth it...nevermind :-)

[Larry Vogel]

For some cheap hp, try out a Tornado air handler. They work for alittle more mpg and 5-15 hp, depending on the car. They may not have a listing for the MM but may for the 4.6 whatever.

[LincMercLover]

The K&N FIPK is good, just the filter is a POS... My plans are for Royal purple, 180 stat, Steeda under-drive, that tornado thingy, and K&N FIPK for now. Subtle enoph to not piss off my dealer, yet enoph umph to help her out a lil. Once 36,000 hits, I'm going wild! :D

[JamesHecker]

I have a Tornado in my '97 Cougar 4.6L. It definatly makes a small but perceptable difference.

[SergntMac]

Overlord...

I know the 4:10 raises questions and concerns, I had them too. It's a mod that has to be thought out, however, its also one mod that exploits all the benefits of other mods mentioned in such a way that I can only describe the 4:10 as a "necessary" change. Chip, gear, stat and plugs should be under 600 in parts. I paid stiff labor rates at the dealer, but kept my warranty in doing so. All of it was under 1500., and for those bucks, I got more bang than than I ever expected. Keep tweaking wherever you can, but keep thinking about a gear change too. None of the other mods will do as much to move a 4200 pound car off the line faster by themselves.

This thread started with a question of cost vs. benefit. Sure, the Steeda pulleys will ad some HP, but cost 170. FMC approved gear set is available for 180. For what each mod costs, which mods pays off? Logan's dyno numbers are telling.

[RF Overlord]

SergntMac:

I have seen prices for gearsets from, as you said, $180 to almost $300. The problem lies more in the labor costs; I've seen prices from $500 to $700 to do the work, and others in this forum have indicated they've had trouble with incorrect backlash requiring multiple trips to the dealer (or other shop) to correct...

I do hear you that it is a worthwhile mod and I haven't ruled it out completely, just postponed it for the time being. I don't need the fastest Marauder on the planet (I think mensrea already owns that!).

[ONEBADMK8]

Since we have been doing the 32v for over 5 years now, our experiences with underdrive pullies is this.

I do not like to spin the water pump that much slower, the alternator takes a pretty good whoopin' too.

We only use the ASP Crank/balancer pulley as a stand alone with great sucess.

I have seen temp increases of as much as 10 with the 3-piece kits as well as decreased idle out voltage especially with accesories on or at night.

[ONEBADMK8]

Originally posted by RF Overlord
SergntMac:

I have seen prices for gearsets from, as you said, $180 to almost $300. The problem lies more in the labor costs; I've seen prices from $500 to $700 to do the work, and others in this forum have indicated they've had trouble with incorrect backlash requiring multiple trips to the dealer (or other shop) to correct...


I do hear you that it is a worthwhile mod and I haven't ruled it out completely, just postponed it for the time being. I don't need the fastest Marauder on the planet (I think mensrea already owns that!).

$500.00 to $700.00??? WOW thats high.

We just did one for $400.00 last week. I would defineately shop around.

[SergntMac]

Yeah, it's high OneBad, can't argue with ya because I spent more. Seeing how I'm a driver and not a wrench, it was in my best interests.

For my money, I got an ASC certified wrench at a LM dealer to install FMC gear, stat and plugs purchased elsewhere, and a Reinhart chip w/switch, "in by 8, out by 3" with all the replacement fluids and gaskets and so on, for under 1 large, and without even mentioning voiding my factory, or extended warranty.

Considering my "under hood" talent, as well as the replacement costs of a tranny, or, motor that may or may not go south down the road, I think this was money well spent.

IMHO.

[ONEBADMK8]

Not too bad a price from a dealership especially for all that was done.

I didn't know he had performed other tasks other then the gear swap. Plus the warranty issue never being discussed........=PRICELESS!!! !!!