Pulleys

[christyles]

I am interested in changing my pulleys, but which pulleys get changed? Looking into the latest RE pulleys.

Note: I will be running 2 Cerwin Vega 200WRMS/500W maximum subs so totalled at 400WRMS/1000W combined...(right Canuck328i?)
M33ee mentioned something to me today that I might not be able to change certain pulleys cause of the power the audio I.C.E. will draw from the alternator or something like that.

Any feedback from the under the hood gurus?

[BlueSky]

no problem with the RE kit... it only consists of water pump / power steering pullies...

RE's kit will not touch the alternator pulley... so it shouldn't affect the electricals...

[christyles]

no problem with the RE kit... it only consists of water pump / power steering pullies...

RE's kit will not touch the alternator pulley... so it shouldn't affect the electricals...
So that's 2 pullies that need to be replaced? Or is the water pump & pwr steering on the same pulley?

[STALKER]

usually makes your steering a little heavier too.

[christyles]

usually makes your steering a little heavier too.
i don't mind heavy steering. I don't like Cadillac steering.

[BlueSky]

2 pullies...

[christyles]

2 pullies...
Oh ok. So when i get them I have to specify an RE water pump pulley and PwrStr pulley...?

[BlueSky]

no Rogue only offer those 2 as a package...
u can't get anything else... or u can't just get one of those... has to be a package of 2 and the belt... ;)

[christyles]

no Rogue only offer those 2 as a package...
u can't get anything else... or u can't just get one of those... has to be a package of 2 and the belt... ;)
ok thanks BlueSky.

[BlueSky]

ok thanks BlueSky.

np styles... speaking from experience only... ;)

[STALKER]

I still think if you want more pwr, save you cash and get the supercharger!!!!

[christyles]

I still think if you want more pwr, save you cash and get the supercharger!!!!
no. i don't want to go that route. Ummm... :devil:

[7jkt1]

What exactly does the upgrade help the car with?

[M333ee]

The pullies free up a little bit of power by underdriving the water pump and power steering pumps. It doesn't give you any more HP. It just doesn't draw as much power from the engine when those pumps are running.

[eezzie]

The pullies free up a little bit of power by underdriving the water pump and power steering pumps. It doesn't give you any more HP. It just doesn't draw as much power from the engine when those pumps are running.
Won't that cause a problem in the long run? :Idunno:

[M333ee]

It's like.... hmmmmm running a light bulb off of a dimmer switch. Less power taken from the line voltage but still works OK. Water pump might be a bit iffy in the long run but the things you do for extra power. :sick:

[BlueSky]

to produce better/lighter pullies from the factory means higher cost of production = less profit...

changing the pullies won't give u any HP gain, but it makes the engine load less hence free up some hidden power from the engine...

afterall.. the pullies still rotate at the same speed... just that the rotational mass is less and therefore consumes less power to rotate...

[glenspeed]

RE only changes the water and power steering pulleys so your ICE shouldn't be affected.

I've had Turner Motorsport pulleys way back in my '98 328is and back then it was the crank pulley (before they knew about crank harmonic balancers and all that). It did free up some HP and the car did feel snappier but only slightly. It was very subtle, and that was on a lighter car with more power than your 323i, so I am not sure you would feel a worthwile difference. There shouldn't be any change to the power steering feel.

If it was me, I would go for lightweight flywheel and higher ratio diff.

[christyles]

If it was me, I would go for lightweight flywheel and higher ratio diff.Glenn, I have a-matic, so no flywheel. I've already got the highest diff at 3.46. I think Quickid said to look into a Z-series diff, it might fit.

[Chopper]

Chris- not sure if the pulleys is a good cost/benefit choice judging by the comments. Maybe exhaust or headers or something. :)

[glenspeed]

Glenn, I have a-matic, so no flywheel. I've already got the highest diff at 3.46. I think Quickid said to look into a Z-series diff, it might fit.

right, sorry Chris! then ok, supercharge it baby!!

seriously, maybe Conforti intake and software followed by headers and exhaust should give you some extra kick.

[christyles]

right, sorry Chris! then ok, supercharge it baby!!

seriously, maybe Conforti intake and software followed by headers and exhaust should give you some extra kick.
No supercharge. uhhh. right.

exhaust yes... I'm looking into AA Gen3 or Eisenmann.
software...already have MarkD.
CAI...looking into Gruppe M CF.

headers? Please explain...

[M333ee]

Headers are the 6 main pipes coming out of the engine block. They collect all the exhaust gases into 2 or 1 large pipe and then out through the muffler.

I'm not sure if a 323 has a true dual system but 330's and M3's collect 6 into 2 full exhaust systems. 3 exhaust pipes into 1.

To gain power they have to be tuned into allowing the exhaust gases to leave the engine bay at the proper time when combustion occurs. For every stroke of the engine a exhaust gas puffs out. These have to be timed accordingly and funneled out in a smooth fashion.

Headers are big$ in our cars and I'm not sure about the price performance ratio. I can tell you on a 4cyl. Honda VTEC motor, a $400 header, 4 into 2 into 1 gives a nice bump in power.

[christyles]

Headers are the 6 main pipes coming out of the engine block. They collect all the exhaust gases into 2 or 1 large pipe and then out through the muffler.

I'm not sure if a 323 has a true dual system but 330's and M3's collect 6 into 2 full exhaust systems. 3 exhaust pipes into 1.

To gain power they have to be tuned into allowing the exhaust gases to leave the engine bay at the proper time when combustion occurs. For every stroke of the engine a exhaust gas puffs out. These have to be timed accordingly and funneled out in a smooth fashion.

Headers are big$ in our cars and I'm not sure about the price performance ratio. I can tell you on a 4cyl. Honda VTEC motor, a $400 header, 4 into 2 into 1 gives a nice bump in power.
Very informative. Thanks E. Something to look into for the future.

[ianS]

Headers are the 6 main pipes coming out of the engine block. They collect all the exhaust gases into 2 or 1 large pipe and then out through the muffler.

I'm not sure if a 323 has a true dual system but 330's and M3's collect 6 into 2 full exhaust systems. 3 exhaust pipes into 1.

To gain power they have to be tuned into allowing the exhaust gases to leave the engine bay at the proper time when combustion occurs. For every stroke of the engine a exhaust gas puffs out. These have to be timed accordingly and funneled out in a smooth fashion.

Headers are big$ in our cars and I'm not sure about the price performance ratio. I can tell you on a 4cyl. Honda VTEC motor, a $400 header, 4 into 2 into 1 gives a nice bump in power.

$400 for a header????? I never seen a header for Honda is less than $500US.

[M333ee]

DC Sports ceramic coated 4-2-1 header for a 92 Integra GS-R 6-7 years ago....$400ish cdn :}:

[ianS]

DC Sports ceramic coated 4-2-1 header for a 92 Integra GS-R 6-7 years ago....$400ish cdn :}:

DC header known to crack easy, should get Mugen instead :blaaaa: